Travelling in 2 weeks or travelling within 48 hours? Follow our up-to-date advice on the best way to apply for your passport.
See the urgent passport service:
http://www.passport.gov.uk/_3_urgent/3_contents.asp

You can now apply for a new passport, renew, amend or replace an existing one using the online application form. When you have typed in your details online the pre-printed application form will be returned to you to sign, date, and return directly to the UKPS for processing. You will not be able to apply through the Check & Send service offered by our partners Post Office Ltd and Worldchoice.

How long does it take to get a passport?

By post
We aim to return postal applications within 3 weeks of receipt. You must send us a properly filled-in application form and the necessary supporting documents to confirm your identity and eligibility. If you do not do this, we may not be able to issue a passport in the expected time. You are therefore advised not to book any travel arrangements until you are in receipt of your new passport.

Check & Send service
This service is available through selected High Street partners. Your application should take two weeks from when the branch or agent accepts the application, not including bank and public holidays. This is not, however, a guaranteed service and turnaround times may exceed two weeks during periods of peak demand. You are therefore advised not to book any travel arrangements until you are in receipt of your new passport.

Upgrading
If your travel plans change after your have applied for a passport, we can only arrange to process your application more quickly if you apply and pay for an upgrade to the Premium one-day service. Please phone the Passport Adviceline on 0870 521 0410 for more details, including the extra fee payable, if you need to request an upgrade. Depending on circumstances, an upgrade may not always be possible.

In person at a passport office
The Fast Track and Premium services are only available at a passport office if you make an appointment through the Adviceline telephone number: 0300 222 0000.

Please note
Currently demand for appointments throughout all UKPS Regions is exceptionally high, and you should therefore allow at least two weeks for your appointment date.
If you make an appointment please arrive no more than 10 minutes before your appointment time. You will not be seen any earlier and your admission will be delayed until the appropriate time. This is to ensure our counters are as pleasant as possible for all our visitors.
Customers should be aware that all callers to our counters might be screened on entry, to ensure the safety of our staff and other customers. Any item considered to be of a potentially dangerous nature might be removed for safe keeping before entry to our premises is allowed.
The Fast Track service guarantees that you will receive your passport by Secure Delivery one week after you applied (not including bank and public holidays).

The Premium service is a guaranteed one-day service. This service is not available if you are applying for a first passport, or to replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport. You can then collect your passport from your passport office.

The guarantees for these services only apply if you fill in your application properly and it is straightforward.

When you get your new passport
Your passport is a valuable document. Check that the details are correct and guard it carefully at all times. If there is a mistake, contact the Adviceline telephone number: 0300 222 0000 immediately. 


Avoid delay, read the photo guide

New rules apply from 9th September 2005
All passport applications must include two identical recent passport photograps.
The quality, style and appearance of passport photographs must meet the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The guidance is has been written into a leaflet available online.
http://www.passport.gov.uk/news/news.asp?strAreaNo=320&intelement=1089

Direct links
www.passport.gov.uk
www.passport-application.gov.uk
http://www.ips.gov.uk/passport/contact-telephone.asp