Renew Your United Kingdom Passport

You must renew your passport if:

• your passport has expired
• it won't be valid for traveling (most airlines and countries require 6+ months validity)

Also, you’ll need to get a new passport to travel abroad or prove your identity if you change any of the following:

• your name
• your gender
• your appearance (for example, if you’ve had plastic surgery)

You don't need to get a new passport if you:

• change your address or contact details
• get a new job
• change your appearance slightly - for example, dye/cut your hair or grow a beard
• change your marital status (divorce, marry, or form a civil partnership) but keep your name
• change your title, for example, doctor or professor
• become a national of another country as well as the UK

You must replace your passport if it shows more than reasonable wear and tear, as you may not be allowed to travel with it. It will be considered damaged, if:

• you cannot read any of your details
• any of the pages are ripped, cut or missing
• there are holes, cuts or rips in the cover
• the cover is coming away
• there are stains on the pages (for example, ink or water damage)

You’ll need to ask someone to confirm your identity online if you’re replacing a lost or stolen passport.

Allow up to 10 weeks to receive your new passport. Check how long it will take to get a passport before you apply.

Your new passport will be sent to you by courier or Royal Mail. They’ll either:

• post it through your letterbox
• hand it to you if you’re home
• leave a card or post you a letter saying how you can get it (it will not say the package is your passport)

No, you don’t; your passport will only be sent to and issued by official UK authorities.

Yes, you need to send your current passport directly to the UK government, this delivery is included in iVisa’s service.

If your passport is burgundy or has ‘European Union’ on the cover, you can still use it as long as it’s valid for travel. When you renew your passport, you'll receive the new UK passport design.