Applying for a new British passport is usually straightforward, but the documents you need depend on the type of application. A first adult passport, child passport, renewal, replacement passport and name change application can all require different supporting evidence.

If you send the wrong documents, miss information or use inconsistent names, your application may be delayed. In some cases, you may also need to provide extra documents to prove identity, nationality, parental responsibility or a change of name.

This guide explains the most common documents needed for a new British passport and how to prepare them correctly.

When do you need to apply for a new British passport?

You may need to apply for a new passport if:

• you are applying for your first adult British passport
• your child needs a first child passport
• your current passport has expired
• your passport is close to expiry
• your passport has been lost or stolen
• your passport is damaged
• your name or personal details have changed
• your child is turning 16 and needs an adult passport
• you have become a British citizen and need your first British passport

GOV.UK has separate guidance for first adult passports, adult passport renewals and child passports, so the exact document list depends on your situation.

Documents needed for a first adult British passport

A first adult British passport application usually requires more evidence than a renewal because HM Passport Office needs to confirm your identity and entitlement to a British passport.

You may need:

• your full birth certificate
• evidence of your parents’ details, where relevant
• your parents’ birth, registration or naturalisation certificates, where relevant
• your parents’ marriage or civil partnership certificate, where relevant
• any non-British passport you hold
• your certificate of naturalisation or registration, if you became British
• documents showing a change of name, if applicable
• a digital or printed passport photo
• confirmation of identity from someone eligible, if requested

GOV.UK explains that first adult passport applicants need to provide supporting documents, and the requirements vary depending on how and when the applicant became British.

Full birth certificate

A full birth certificate is often required for a first passport application. This is different from a short birth certificate because it includes parent details.

A short birth certificate may not provide enough information for HM Passport Office to confirm nationality entitlement.

If your birth certificate is old, damaged, laminated or hard to read, it may be better to order a new official copy before applying.

Previous passports

If you already have a British passport and are renewing it, you will normally need to send your current or most recent passport.

For an adult passport renewal, GOV.UK states that your previous passport will be returned to you. You may still be able to use an unexpired visa in your old passport if you carry both passports, although different rules can apply for some countries.

If your passport has been lost or stolen, you will usually need to report it and follow the replacement process rather than a standard renewal.

Certificate of naturalisation or registration

If you became a British citizen by naturalisation or registration, you may need your certificate of naturalisation or registration when applying for your first British passport.

This certificate proves that British citizenship was granted. It is different from a British passport, although both may be used as evidence of nationality in different situations.

If your certificate has been lost, damaged or contains an error, you may need to apply for a replacement or correction before your passport application can progress.

Name change documents

If your current name is different from the name shown on your birth certificate, naturalisation certificate or previous passport, you may need to provide evidence of the name change.

This may include:

• deed poll
• statutory declaration of name change
• marriage certificate
• civil partnership certificate
• divorce document
• adoption certificate
• gender recognition certificate
• evidence that you use the new name for all purposes

Name differences are a common cause of passport delays. Your documents should show a clear link between your previous name and your current name.

Documents for a child passport

A child passport application may require documents proving the child’s identity, nationality and parental responsibility.

Depending on the situation, you may need:

• the child’s full birth certificate
• the child’s previous passport, for a renewal
• parents’ birth certificates or passports
• parents’ marriage or civil partnership certificate, where relevant
• adoption certificate, if applicable
• court order or parental responsibility document, if applicable
• change of name evidence, if the child’s name has changed
• a suitable passport photo
• confirmation of identity, if requested

GOV.UK explains that children under 16 who have never had a British passport should apply for a first child passport, while children who already have one can renew it.

If the child is over 16, or will turn 16 within three weeks, the adult passport process may apply instead.

Documents for passport renewal

For a straightforward adult passport renewal, the main document is usually your current or most recent British passport.

You may need extra documents if:

• your name has changed
• your gender marker has changed
• your appearance has changed significantly
• your passport is damaged
• your passport has been lost or stolen
• your previous passport was issued when you were a child
• HM Passport Office asks for additional evidence

If your application is not straightforward, do not assume that a renewal only requires your old passport.

Documents for a damaged passport

If your passport is damaged, you may need to replace it rather than renew it.

Damage may include:

• water damage
• torn pages
• missing pages
• damaged photo page
• peeling laminate
• unreadable personal details
• unofficial markings
• damaged chip

A damaged passport can cause problems when travelling, even if it has not expired. HM Passport Office may ask for additional documents to confirm your identity before issuing a replacement.

Documents for a lost or stolen passport

If your passport has been lost or stolen, you must follow the replacement process.

You may need:

• details of the lost or stolen passport
• a new passport photo
• identity confirmation
• supporting documents proving nationality or identity
• police report details, if relevant
• extra evidence if the passport was lost overseas

If you are abroad and need to travel urgently, you may need an emergency travel document rather than a replacement passport.

Documents for applying from outside the UK

If you apply for a British passport from outside the UK, the supporting document requirements may be different depending on the country you are applying from and the type of application.

GOV.UK warns that overseas passport applications can be delayed if all supporting documents are not included. If additional or missing documents are requested, they must be sent within the required deadline or the application may be withdrawn without a refund.

You may be asked to provide original documents, certified translations, foreign birth or marriage certificates, previous passports or evidence of British nationality.

Do supporting documents need to be originals?

For many passport applications, original documents are required. Photocopies are not usually accepted unless HM Passport Office specifically allows them.

Documents should be:

• original or officially issued
• complete
• clear and readable
• not damaged
• consistent with the details in the application
• accompanied by certified translations if not in English or Welsh

If a document is in another language, a certified translation may be required.

Do passport documents need an apostille?

If you are applying for a British passport through HM Passport Office, UK documents normally do not need an apostille just to be submitted with the passport application.

However, apostille legalisation may be needed in related situations, such as:

• using a UK birth certificate overseas
• using a UK marriage certificate abroad to prove a name change
• using a certificate of naturalisation overseas
• submitting a UK passport copy to a foreign authority
• proving identity or nationality for overseas legal, immigration or property matters

For example, a foreign authority may request an apostilled passport copy, apostilled birth certificate or apostilled marriage certificate. In that case, the document may need solicitor certification before the FCDO apostille can be issued.

Can a passport copy be apostilled?

A passport copy can often be apostilled if it is certified correctly first.

The FCDO will not usually apostille an ordinary photocopy of a passport. A UK solicitor or notary may need to certify the copy as a true copy of the original passport. The apostille is then attached to the solicitor’s or notary’s certification.

This is commonly required for:

• overseas property transactions
• foreign bank accounts
• visa or residency procedures
• company registration abroad
• identity checks for foreign authorities
• inheritance or legal matters overseas

Common mistakes to avoid

Common passport application mistakes include:

• sending a short birth certificate when a full birth certificate is needed
• forgetting to include a previous passport
• using documents with inconsistent names
• not providing evidence of a name change
• sending damaged or unreadable documents
• using a passport photo that does not meet the rules
• forgetting documents for a child passport application
• assuming a renewal never needs extra evidence
• applying from overseas without checking country-specific supporting documents
• sending photocopies when originals are required

These mistakes can delay your application or result in HM Passport Office asking for more information.

How we can help

We can help with document preparation for passport-related matters, especially where documents need to be certified, apostilled or used overseas.

Our service can include solicitor certification of passport copies, apostille legalisation of certified copies, legalisation of supporting documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, deed poll documents and naturalisation certificates, and advice on certified translations where documents are being used abroad.

If you need to use a passport copy or supporting document outside the UK, send us the instructions from the overseas authority and we can confirm whether certification, apostille or embassy legalisation is required.