Passports

If you want to travel outside the UK, whether it's for a year or for a day, you must have a valid passport. Read on to find out how to go about getting one.

Child passport

From birth until you turn 16, you'll need your own passport. This will be a Child Passport.

A Child Passport is valid for five years. When it runs out you can renew it for another five years, and so on until you are 16. Then you will need to get an Adult Passport.

You can pick up passport forms at the Post Office, apply online, or ask for an application form online using the Direct Gov website.

If you are a young person in care there are a few other things that need to be done before a passport can be issued. Contact your local Post Office or visit the Direct Gov website to find out more.

Adult passports 

If you are 16 or older and are going outside the UK, you will need a valid 10 year passport.

You can pick up passport application forms at the Post Office, apply online or ask for an application form online at Direct Gov. There is a special section of the site if you want to apply for your first adult passport.

If you are applying for an adult passport for the first time then you might be called for an interview. The interview office is in Glasgow. For more information phone the adviceline on: 0300 222 0000.

Remember you cannot use the Post Office Check & Send service when applying for your first adult passport.

How much will it cost?  

It costs £49 for a child passport and £77.50 for an adult passport. It costs more if you want to get your passport fast-tracked.

How long will it take?

You should receive your passport about three weeks after posting your application (if you have filled in your form correctly).

Check & send service -To get your passport in about two weeks, you can pay £8.17 for your application to be checked and sent off by the Post Office.

Remember that the Passport Office tends to get busier during the summertime so it's always best to apply for your passport in advance and not last minute.

Keeping your passport safe

• Keep a note of your passport number, date and place of issue, and keep it in a safe place.
• Leave a photocopy of your passport with a friend or relative at home when you are on your travels.
• Complete the Next of Kin details on the back of the passport (person/people who get contacted if something happens to you).
• If your passport is lost or stolen overseas then immediately contact your nearest British Embassy or Consulate for advice. You can ask at your hotel/tourist office for directions.
• If you lose your passport in the UK then you need to report this to the Identity and Passport Service Adviceline: 0300 222 0000.

Note: you will no longer be able to legally use your passport once it has been formally reported as lost or stolen because the Identity and Passport Service cancels it.