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Wednesday, 3 October 2023

Final checklist for applications

Are you ready to apply for your passport? Mistakes and missing documents will delay your application. Use this checklist to make sure you have included everything and to check which services you can use. The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) recommends the Post Office Check & Send service.

Checklist before you send off your application

Order certificates online

If you need to supply a birth, marriage civil partnership or adoption certificate with your application, you can order copies online

For all individual passport applications, you must send IPS:

  • your correctly filled in application form
  • two recent, identical passport photos

You must also send the correct fee. Passport fees vary depending on the type of application and the service you use. See ‘Table of passport fees, how to pay and refunds’ for more information.

Make sure you make a note of your application barcode number before sending it to IPS by post. You will need this if you want to make enquiries about your application or track its progress.

What to send with and ways to submit your application

The table below shows what else you need to send with your application.

If you choose the Premium or Fast Track services, you need to make an appointment. To do this you should call the IPS Passport Adviceline on 0300 222 0000.

Application type

What you need to send IPS

What services you can use

Renewing an adult passport

your current passport

one of your photos should be certified by the person who countersigns your application if your appearance has changed greatly from your last passport

standard postal application

Post Office Check & Send

Fast Track one-week service (by appointment)

Premium one-day service (by appointment)

Renewing a child passport

child's current passport

one of the photos should be certified by the person who countersigns the application if the child's appearance has changed greatly from their last passport

standard postal application

Post Office Check & Send

Fast Track one-week service (by appointment)

Premium one-day service (by appointment)

Your first adult passport

the correct supporting documents (see 'The application form, fee and supporting documents for a first adult passport')

one of your photos should be certified by the person who countersigns your application

standard postal application

Post Office Check & Send

A child's first passport

the correct supporting documents (see 'The application form, fee and supporting documents for a child passport')

one of the photos should be certified by the person who countersigns your application

standard postal application

Post Office Check & Send

Fast Track one-week service (by appointment) is only available in some cases - call the Passport Adviceline on 0300 222 0000 to confirm you can use this service for your application

Replacing a lost, stolen or damaged passport

your damaged passport (if this applies)

form LS01 (needed only for lost or stolen passports) if you have not sent it already

one of the photos should be certified by the person who countersigns your application

standard postal application

Post Office Check & Send

Fast Track one-week service (by appointment)

Extending a passport

your current passport

standard postal application

Post Office Check & Send

Fast Track one-week service (by appointment)

Premium one-day service (by appointment), only available for certain types of applications - call the Passport Adviceline on 0300 222 0000 for more information

Making changes to a passport (for example, change of name)

the correct supporting documents (see 'The application form, fee and supporting documents for a passport name change')

standard postal application

Post Office Check & Send

Fast Track one-week service (by appointment)

Premium one-day service (by appointment), only available for certain types of applications - call the Passport Adviceline on 0300 222 0000 for more information

IPS guidance covers what most people need to include with an application form, but there will be times when IPS needs to ask for extra information or make further enquiries.

Collective (or group) passports

Collective passports use a different application form and supporting documents. For more details, including a checklist, please see ‘Collective (or group) passports’.

Additional links

Need passport advice?

For help, call the IPS Passport Adviceline on 0300 222 0000.

The Adviceline is open:
- 8.00 am to 8.00 pm Monday to Friday
- 9.00 am to 5.30 pm weekends and public holidays

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