UK Passport Renewal Guide 2024: Everything You Need to Know
Having an updated passport is a must if you have plans of travelling abroad from the United Kingdom. But how long does it take to renew passport in the UK? Well, the current passport waiting times UK 2024 are estimated to be around 2 to 3 weeks, as per the official government website.
Nevertheless, the average wait time for adult UK citizens to have their passports renewed is around 10 days, as reported by another website which reports to have collected data from passport applicants in the recent past.
Invariably, it's prudent to leave plenty of time if you're planning on renewing your passport. It will factor in unforeseen delays, ensuring your travel plans aren't affected in any way.
Why Does a Passport Renewal Take So Long in the UK?
The current passport waiting times UK travellers have to adjust with are a fairly new phenomenon. Pre-Covid, it was easier to have your passport renewed and receive the new, updated one within 2 to 3 weeks. However, there's been an unforeseen backlog of post-pandemic passport applications in the UK, which has slowed things down considerably.
The recent strike at the passport offices in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland has also contributed to the delay in average passport renewal time. Some reports suggest that over 360,000 folks have been waiting longer than 10 weeks for their new passports to arrive.
What Kind of Passports Are Included in the 10-Week Wait?
Answering the how long for passport renewal UK query is one thing, knowing which types of applicants will be affected by the purported 10-week wait is another. The government advises citizens to allow a period of at least 10 weeks for the ensuring types of passport applications:
• First adult passport
• First child passport
• Adult renewal passport
• Child renewal passport
Do People Really Wait Over 10 Weeks to Renew a Passport?
The news of a 10-week waiting period is a major blow to those wondering how long to renew a passport UK. But it may not truly take that long. A website conducted a bit of research with around 100 applicants and found that nearly 91% of them received their adult passports within a 3-week period. About half of the respondents got theirs within a mere 2 weeks.
Even better, around 18% of the 100 applicants received theirs in less than a week! About 2% of the applicants received their passports after waiting for over 4 weeks, while none had to wait for the dreaded 10 weeks.
The website suggests that the delays of over a month that affected some of the applicants were majorly for reasons within their control, and not on account of the passport office.
What Factors Could Contribute to Delays in Adult Passport Renewal?
Besides the current passport waiting times UK, there are a couple of things that applicants may do which might delay the process further.
For one, not ensuring you have everything ready can add to the delay. This includes a photo, your application, additional documents like your old passport, etc. Next, not having someone to confirm your identity or attend an interview can be a major contributing factor to lengthy passport renewal wait times in the UK.
Also, many applicants delay sending their old passports, and this could needlessly prolong the renewal. Additionally, not getting your passport photo approved can also cause the process to drag on for longer than necessary.
How Much Does It Cost to Renew a Passport?
As of March 2024, the following are the costs associated with passport renewal in the United Kingdom.
Online Renewal :
The cost of renewing a 34-page standard passport online is £53.50 for a child and £82.50 for an adult. This fee will increase to £64.50 for a child and £93.50 for an adult for a 54-page frequent-traveller passport. The official government sources state that the renewal process currently takes approximately 10 weeks.
Paper Application Renewal Form :
The cost of renewing a 34-page standard passport with a paper application is £64 for a child and £93 for an adult. The fee will increase to £75 for a child and £104 for an adult for a 54-page frequent-traveller passport. As in the online process, the estimated length of passport renewal time by paper application is 10 weeks.
How to Renew a Passport in the UK?
Passport Renewal Online
Besides the question of the average passport renewal time, many UK travellers wonder how easy it is to renew passports online. Fortunately, passport renewal in the UK is much simpler, easier, and even cheaper online. All you really need to do is fill in the appropriate online renewal application form, upload a photo, and make the necessary payment using a valid credit or debit card.
You must also send your old passport by post through the address in the application. Those outside of the UK hoping to renew their passports must use a separate application form.
Passport Renewal via Post
To apply for a passport renewal via post, use the Check and Send Service to get a paper application form at a Post Office. You can also request for one to be sent to you by contacting the Passport Advice line on - 0300 222 0000.
When renewing a passport by post, you have to enclose 2 identical photos of yourself. Some branches may be able to assist you in taking the photo at the time of application submission. This will cost you extra. It is advisable to check the details of the passport photos on the official government website.
You will also need to include details and evidence for any changes you may wish to make to your passport. For making payment, you can use a debit or credit card by selecting as such in the relevant section of the form. Alternatively, you can enclose a cheque for the payable amount.
Who Can Countersign a UK Passport Application?
A reliable countersignatory is key to how long UK passport renewal takes. The person you pick should be someone who knows you for at least 2 years, able to clearly identify you. As per the government website, a countersignatory must also be someone of "good standing" in the community.
Alternatively, they must be in a respected, recognised vocation. While this is an umbrella term that includes many professions, a few examples are accountants, barristers, airline pilots, dentists, chairman/director of a limited company, journalists, and permanent civil servants.
Those applying for a passport in the UK must have countersignatories who are also living in the UK and possess a valid British or Irish passport.
If you're applying for a passport from outside the UK, the countersignatory must have a valid British, EU, Irish, Commonwealth, or American passport. The application process is smoother and quicker in cases where the countersignatories have a valid British or Irish passport.
Note that there are restrictions to who can be a countersignatory. A person cannot countersign your UK passport if they're related to you by birth or marriage. Additionally, they cannot be a countersignatory if you both live at the same address and/or are in a relationship.
How Can You Get an Emergency Passport?
Often, travellers may not have the required time for a normal passport renewal service as they need to travel urgently. Those who need their UK passports renewed urgently must opt for the faster service.
Fast Track Service :
The standard 1-week Fast Track service for renewal of passports in the UK costs £126 for a child and £155 for an adult. These costs will increase to £137 for a child and £166 for an adult for a 54-page frequent-traveller passport.
You can avail of a paper application form from a Post Office to use this service. Next, you need to book an appointment online at the nearest passport office to you, and make the necessary payment using a credit or debit card.
Online Premium Service :
Those who need their passport renewed even earlier than a week's time can use the Online Premium Service. This way, the earliest appointment you can get will be around 2 days from your application date. Requirements include a digital photograph meeting the criteria, and your old passport. The new passport will be given to you during your appointment.
The cost of the online premium service is £193.50 for a regular UK passport. This fee will increase to £204.50 for a 54-page frequent-traveller passport. Those outside the UK in need of an urgent passport can instead apply for an emergency travel document.
How Long Does It Take to Renew an Infant’s Passport?
How long does a passport renewal take for infants in the UK? The standard processing time for renewing a child's passport is estimated to be around 5 weeks. It may take longer, depending on the number of applicants and other relevant factors, so the 10 weeks of current passport waiting times UK applies here as well.
How is it done?
Like with an adult passport, you can renew a child's passport in the UK either online or via post. The cost of doing it online is £53.50, which is arguably the cheapest and simplest way to go about it. All you'll need is a digital photograph of your child meeting the specified criteria, alongside the supporting documents.
The identity must be confirmed by someone else for children under the age of 12. You must provide the contact details and email address of the person who will confirm your child's identity. They will then be contacted by the HM Passport office via email to request verification of your child's identity.
The cost of renewing a child's passport in the UK via post is £64. You need to get a paper application form from a Post Office, or call the Passport Advice Line and ask for one to be sent to you. Complete the form accurately and send it. Note that if your child is below 12 years old, their application and one of the passport photos will need to be countersigned.
How to Limit Delays for Renewing Your UK Passport?
There's nothing much you can do about the current passport waiting times UK officials have set. However, there are a few things in your control, allowing you to ensure as little delay as possible from your end. These include:
• Ensure the Passport Photo is Right : A rejection of your photo can cause unforeseen delays in renewal of your passport in the UK. It is advisable to use a professional service with an expert taking your picture.
• Keep All Documents Ready : You must have all the necessary documents in hand even before you fill in the passport renewal application.
• Use Special Delivery Service : Opt for a reliable delivery service that will send your additional documents in a first-rate, signed delivery the very next day. This will mitigate the chances of delays in your documents reaching the right office.
• Send Additional Documents with the Application : It's prudent to send all the additional documents and your old passport along with the application. Waiting too long to send them will add to the delay, making the “how long it will take to renew passport” query pointless.
• Select Premium or Fast-Track Service : The Fast-Track Service can get you your passport in 7 days. Meanwhile, the Online Premium Service will ensure an even speedier delivery of 3 days! Note, that both these are costlier than the regular process.
• Watch Out for Passport Tracking Updates : Always keep a tab on your emails and other passport tracking services for updates that you may need to act on. Else, it could be waiting for days without any action from your end.