How To Get Your Baby's Passport
WHAT NATIONALITY DOES YOUR BABY HAVE TO BE TO APPLY FOR A BRITISH PASSPORT?
If your baby has British nationality you can apply for a British passport for them.
CAN A BABY TRAVEL INTERNATIONALLY WITHOUT A PASSPORT?
Under no circumstances can your baby travel internationally without a passport.
FROM WHEN CAN YOUR BABY GET A PASSPORT?
The application can be sent as soon as you get your baby’s birth certificate.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR YOUR BABY HAVING A PASSPORT?
The main benefits of your baby having a passport are:
1) They can travel abroad with you on holiday
2) It can be used as another identity document
WHO CAN APPLY FOR A BABY’S PASSPORT?
Anybody with parental responsibility for a baby can apply for their passport
LINK TO OUR HELP GUIDE FOR WHAT IS PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY?
WHAT PAPERWORK DO YOU NEED TO GET TOGETHER TO MAKE AN APPLICATION FOR YOUR BABY’S PASSPORT?
To apply for a passport you will need the following documents. These documents are called supporting documents.
1) 2 passport size photos of your baby.
2) Your baby’s full birth certificate or adoption certificate with the parents details on the certificate.
4) Any passports from other countries your baby may have (if applicable).
5) Your baby’s proof of British nationality such as your (either parents) British passport, British registration certificate or the baby’s birth certificate.
6) A court order for parental responsibility or residence/living arrangements (if applicable).
7) The fee
DO YOU NEED TO GET SOMEONE TO SIGN THE BACK OF YOUR BABY’S PHOTO?
Yes you do. You need to get one of your baby’s photo’s countersigned by someone. This will confirm your baby’s identity. Please click on the link below to read who you can ask to countersign the photo.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR COUNTERSIGNING PASSPORT APPLICATIONS AND PHOTOS
If you are making an online application for your baby’s passport you do not need to get the photo countersigned. They will have to confirm your baby’s identity online. The passport office will send them an email explaining how to do this.
WHAT IF SOME OF THE ABOVE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ARE IN A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE?
If any of your baby’s documents listed above are in a different language then you will need to get a certified translated copy in English and then send these along with the original to the passport office.
CAN YOU SEND COPIES OF YOUR BABY’S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS TO THE PASSPORT OFFICE?
No you cannot. You must send the original documents.
HOW CAN YOU ENSURE THESE ORIGINAL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS DO NOT GET LOST?
Sending the supporting documents to the passport office – Depending upon which route you choose to send your baby’s passport application to the passport office you can hand these supporting documents over personally or send them by special delivery or signed for recorded delivery. The post office offer other services as well to ensure the safety of these supporting documents. Please click the following link
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR POST OFFICE – sending valuables
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR POST OFFICE – special delivery
The return of the supporting documents – The passport office offer a service where they will send the original documents back to you securely. This service will cost £5.
WHAT IF YOU ARE UNSURE THAT YOU HAVE CORRECTY FILLED THE APPLICATION AND YOU HAVE ALL YOUR BABY’S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS?
The passport office offer a check and send service via the post office. Please click on the link below
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR PASSPORT CHECK AND SEND SERVICE
WHAT ARE THE METHODS AVAILABLE TO YOU TO APPLY FOR YOUR BABY’S PASSPORT?
1) Online application – £53.50
You will need to click the link below.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR APPLY ONLINE FOR A UK PASSPORT
This is the simplest way to apply. Please just follow the instructions.
2) Post paper application – £64.00
You can pick up a paper application form from the post office, complete it, include the requested supporting documents and fee and post it to the passport office. The paper application includes an envelope. Please post signed for recorded delivery.
3)Post office digital check and send service
There are certain post offices around the country that will take your baby’s photo, complete the application online and submit it for you. They will send your supporting documents to the passport office by Special Delivery.
There is an extra charges for this service. Please click on the link below.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR PASSPORT CHECK AND SEND SERVICE.
4)Post office paper check and send service
There are certain post offices around the country that will check your paper application, your photos and your supporting documents. They will send your whole application to the passport office by special delivery.
There is an extra charge for this service. Please click the link below.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR PASSPORT CHECK AND SEND SERVICE.
5) By appointment at the passport office for 1 day or 1 week fast track service
You will need to click the link below fist.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WESBITE FOR GET A PASSPORT URGENTLY
There is a 1 day premium service or a 1 week fast track service available. You must book an appointment online for the service you want and pay for it online. You must download an application form, complete it and take all requested supporting documents with you to the appointment.
HOW LONG DOES THE PASSPORT OFFICE TAKE TO ADMINISTER YOUR BABY’S APPLICATION ONCE THEY RECEIVE IT?
If you send your baby’s application via the normal passport office service it takes a minimum of 3 weeks before you get your baby’s passport. It can a little longer if the passport office is busy.
If you use the passport office fast track service (which is more expensive) it can 1 day or 1 week depending upon the service you choose.
HOW LONG WILL YOUR BABY’S FIRST PASSPORT LAST?
Your baby’s first passport will last for 5 years.
CAN YOU APPLY FOR YOUR BABYS PASSPORT FROM OUTSIDE OF THE UK?
Yes you can.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR OVERSEAS BRITISH PASSPORT APPLICATIONS.
FURTHER HELP
LINK TO GOVERMENT GUIDE FOR PAPER PASSPORT APPLICATIONS
You can call The passport advice line on 0300 222 000
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR APPLY FOR FIRST CHILD PASSPORT