All passport applicants must provide 2 identical passport photographs that meet the standard set out in the Identity and Passport Service Guide to taking a good photo for your passport (PDF, 301KB).

We will return all documents submitted in support of your application.

First time applicants

Born before 01/01/1983 in the UK, you must include:

• your full UK birth certificate 
• if you were previously included on a parent's passport, we must either see it or have the issue details

Born before 01/01/1993 outside the UK, you must include:

• your original consular birth certificate or your original registration or naturalisation certificate from the Home Office or your original birth certificate with your father's full UK birth certificate and your parent's marriage certificate 
• if you were previously included on a parent's passport, we must either see it or have the issue details

Born between 01/01/1983 and 30/06/2006 in the UK, you must include:

• your full UK birth certificate 
• full UK birth certificate of your mother or father; if you only send your father's birth certificate, you must also include the marriage certificate of your parents 
• if you were previously included on a parent's passport, we must either see it or have the issue details

Born between 01/01/1983 and 30/06/2006 outside the UK, you must include:

• your full UK birth certificate
• either your mother’s full UK birth certificate or your father’s full UK birth certificate and the marriage certificate
• if you were previously included on a parent's passport, we must either see it or have the issue details

Children born after 01/07/2006, you must include:

• child's full birth certificate
• original anti-natal record from maternity house 
• either the mother’s full UK birth certificate or the father’s full UK birth certificate

For further information on the kinds of birth certificates that are acceptable, and how to obtain replacements, see our page on birth certificates

Renewing your passport or changing information in your passport

If you are applying to renew your passport or change information in it, in addition to the documents, you must also provide:

• your current passport or
• your old passport - the passport that has expired.
  

Changing to your husband’s last name

If you are married and wish to change to your surname to that of your husband’s then you must provide:

• your original marriage certificate and
• your old passport

Changing back to your maiden name

If you are divorced and wish to revert back to your maiden name you must provide:

• your original birth certificate and
• your original divorce certificate.
  

Changing your name

If you have changed your name by Deed Poll you must provide:

• your original Deed Poll.

 

Full UK birth certificates

The full version of UK birth certificates is the only version that is acceptable for nationality purposes. The parents' details and the father's profession are included in the certificate. We cannot accept the short birth certificate, which only gives the details of the child. Neither can we accept a passport in lieu of a full birth certificate.

England and Wales
If you were born in England or Wales and have never had a full UK birth certificate or have lost it, you can obtain a new copy from the General Registry in Southport.

General Register Office
PO Box 2
Southport
Merseyside
PR8 2JD

By telephone, fax, e-mail quoting debit/credit card details.

Telephone number: +44 (0)845 603 7788 (8am to 8pm Monday to Friday. Saturday 9am - 4pm).
Fax: +44 (0)1704 550013
e-mail:
certificate.services@ons.gov.uk <mailto:certificate.services@ons.gov.uk>

Scotland
If you were born in Scotland apply to:

Registrar General
New Register House,
3 West Register Street,
Edinburgh EH1 3YT
Tel: +44 (0)131 334 0380

Northern Ireland
If you were born in Northern Ireland, apply to:

The Registrar General,
Oxford House,
49-55 Chichester Street
Belfast BT1 4HL
Tel: +44 (0)2890 252000