If you’re heading abroad this summer, and you’ve only just realised that your passport needs renewing, there’s no time to waste: you need to get that new travel document asap! Fortunately, there’s a way to get a fast-track passport via the HM Passport Office, which will mean you won’t need to wait up to 10 weeks for the standard application process.
If you need to get a passport urgently, read this guide for full information on how to apply for a Fast Track passport, application fees, waiting times, and more.
Table of contents
When do I need to renew my UK passport?
How long does it take to get a new passport in the UK?
Who can apply for the 1 week Fast Track Service
How to apply for a 1 week Fast Track passport
How much does it cost to get a fast-track passport?
When do I need to renew my UK passport?
Following post-Brexit regulations, you may need to get a new British passport before being able to go on holiday abroad.
To understand if you need to renew your passport, simply checking the expiry date on your document won’t do the trick – instead, you’ll need to figure out if you have enough time left on your passport to gain entry to the country you’re visiting.
To be accepted by EU countries, your UK passport must be valid for the whole trip duration.
To make things slightly more complicated for post-Brexit Brits, the issue date on your passport needs to be less than 10 years ago on the day you are planning to fly back to the UK from the EU.
Things get even more complicated if you’re travelling outside the EU, as many countries will ask you to have up to six months left on your passport.
You can use this online tool to check how much time your destination demands.
You may also need to get a new passport if your details have changed since the first time received your document.
You must renew your passport if you change:
● Your name by marriage, civil partnership, go back to your maiden name, or add middle names;
● Gender, even if your name stays the same;
● How you spell your name.
In all cases above, you will need to follow the standard passport renewal application procedure and send the appropriate documents along with your application.
However, you do not need to renew your passport if you:
● Change your Job, title, Address Contact details;
● Change your marital status but keep your maiden name;
● Emigrate abroad;
● Get the nationality of another country on top of your British nationality.
No matter why you need to renew your passport, it’s important that you start the application process as soon as possible: the waiting times for the standard application service can be as long as 10 weeks, which obviously rules out passport renewals over the summer holiday.
If you need to get a new passport urgently, you may still be on time to get your new document if you apply via the HM Passport Office’s premium fast-track services.
How long does it take to get a new passport in the UK?
If you use the standard UK passport application system, getting your new document will take up to 10 weeks.
However, the HM Passport Office offers a faster premium fast-track passport service.
With the 1 week Fast Track service, you’ll receive your new document within one week of attending an appointment at your local passport office.
Appointments for Fast-Track applications are released daily, but the waiting list can be as long as three weeks, so you must weigh this up when booking your flights.
There’s also an Online Premium Service, which will provide you with a new document within four hours of attending an appointment at the passport office.
The Online Premium Service is currently the fastest way to be issued a passport in the UK, as the earliest you can get an appointment is 2 days from the time of your application.
Having said that, it’s still a good idea to book your appointment in advance as the waiting list for a Premium passport can be as long as three weeks.
Who can apply for the One Week Fast Track Service?
The One Week Fast Track option can be used if you’re in the UK and you need to:
● Renew an adult or child passport that has expired or that is about to expire;
● Change personal details on your passport (your name, place of birth, gender, etc);
● Replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport;
● Apply for a first child passport.
Unfortunately, you cannot use the 1 week Fast Track Service if you are applying for your first adult passport. For this, you’ll have to go through the standard application system instead.
How to apply for a 1 week Fast Track passport
To apply for a 1 week Fast Track passport, the first thing to do is pick up an application form from a Post Office.
Once you have filled in the Fast-Track application, you can book an in-person appointment online at your nearest passport office.
This is when you will be requested to pay an application fee.
UK Passport Fees:
● £155 for an adult passport (or £166 for a 50 page frequent traveller passport);
● £126 for a child passport (or £137 for a 50-page frequent traveller passport).
At your appointment, you’ll need the following documents:
● Your completed paper application form;
● Two identical printed passport photos;
● Your supporting documents – read the booklet that comes with the paper form to find out what you need.
If you cannot go to your appointment, you can change or cancel your appointment, or send someone in your place.
You can use the link in your confirmation email to change or cancel your appointment – this option is free as long as your appointment is more than 48 hours away.
If you change your appointment less than 48 hours in advance, you will get a refund and you’ll be able to book again, but you will be charged a £30 admin fee.
If you fail to turn up at your appointment, you will not get a refund. In this case, you’ll have to re-book your appointment and pay again.
If you’re in the UK, you can ask someone to go to your appointment for you.
The person attending the appointment in your place needs to bring the following document:
● Your completed paper application form;
● Your 2 identical printed passport photos;
● Your supporting documents.
How much does it cost to get a fast-track passport?
Applying for a UK passport using the 1 Week Fast Track Service costs:
● £155 for an adult passport (or £166 for a 50 page frequent traveller passport);
● £126 for a child passport (or £137 for a 50 page frequent traveller passport).
You’ll pay this fee when you book your appointment online.
How long does it take to get a fast-track passport?
If you applied for a new passport using the 1 week Fast Track service, you will be delivered the document to your home address within a week of your appointment.
Someone will need to be home to sign for the passport.
Further information:
For more information on how to renew your UK passport, head over to the gov.uk government website where you can find more ways to renew your passport online. You will need a valid debit or credit card to pay the fee.
Alternatively you can call the Passport Adviceline on: 0300 222 0000
