Passport

Steps for Getting a UK Passport

Steps for Getting a UK Passport

If you're planning a holiday this year, want to study abroad or something more long term such as working abroad for a year you will require a passport in order to leave the country. But if you're applying for your first passport in the UK, the process can feel a little daunting. There's plenty of forms to fill out and of course you'll need to get your never flattering passport photos taken too. But then what? Well if you're unsure of what happens, how long it takes and what you need to do, then fear not. Here at OneHowTo, we've made it nice and simple for you. Read on to find out the steps for getting a passport in the UK.

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Steps to follow:
1

The first step to getting a UK passport is ensuring that you are eligible to apply for one, otherwise your application will be declined. You must be a British National to acquire a UK passport.

There are several different types of British nationality that means you are eligible to apply.

These are:

  • British citizen
  • British overseas citizen
  • British overseas territories citizen
  • British subject
  • British national (overseas)
  • British protected person
2

Although having British nationality means you are eligible to apply for a UK passport, it doesn't guarantee that your application will be accepted.

There are certain reasons that you may not be granted a UK passport.

These are:

  • You're suspected of a serious criminal offence and an arrest warrant has been issued against you.
  • You are on bail and bail conditions do not permit you leaving the UK.
  • A court order restricts you from owning a passport or leaving the country.
  • You've received a European Union or United Nations order which restricts your travel.
  • You have previously been brought back into the UK via government expense and are yet to repay the funds that you owe.

So none of the above apply to you, and you're a British National? Great, there are several ways you can apply for a UK passport.

3

The simplest way is to apply online at the Gov.UK website.

You will be required to fill out an online form and you will need to provide identification through various documents.

You will also need 2 identical passport photos taken in the last 2 months. They must be official passport style photos, not cut down photos of a larger picture of yourself, have no border, and have a standard plain, white background.

You will need to make sure that you have no hair across your face or anything that can restrict the view of your face, and that it is a straight on picture of your face and shoulders.

Your passport photos must be between 29 and 34mm high with a width of 35mm.

4

If you're applying in the UK, you can also visit a local post office that offers the check and send service. This service provides all the relevant forms and documents, and also checks over your application and photos before it is officially sent off.

For many this is used for peace of mind as it rules out any possibilities that the passport application will be declined on the basis that documents or information is missing, or your photos are not the required standards for a passport.

Of course you will have to pay extra for this service, but if you are planning to travel in the near future or have plans abroad this service can be very helpful as it lessens the chance of your passport being delayed.

Steps for Getting a UK Passport - Step 4
5

If you're applying for a UK passport from abroad, then you are to apply for your passport online at Gov.UK where there is a link for those applying for a UK passport from overseas. Your application will be the same as mentioned above, however you will be required to disclose your status abroad, including the country you are in.

If you want to read similar articles to Steps for Getting a UK Passport, we recommend you visit our Legal category.

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Steps for Getting a UK Passport