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What the Check & Send service includes

If you take your completed application form and supporting documents to a Post Office branch that offers Check & Send, they can:

• check that you have filled in the application form correctly
• check that you have included your supporting documents and the correct fee
• forward all the relevant paperwork plus your payment for the passport directly and securely to IPS by Royal Mail Special Delivery

Applications sent via Check & Send are also much less likely to be returned or delayed because of queries, but IPS may still need to contact you for more information.

• Find your nearest Check & Send Post Office (choose 'passport checking service' from the dropdown list) Opens new window

You may get your passport sooner using Check & Send

Passport applications sent via the Check & Send service are usually processed more quickly than standard postal applications. You can expect to receive your new passport in about two weeks.

Times are not guaranteed and do not include postage time. In some cases IPS may need to take extra time to assess your application, including confirming details you have given and contacting your countersignatory.

However, if you are applying for your first adult passport, you should always allow up to six weeks. This is because in most cases you will need to attend a passport interview.

For more information on passport interviews, follow the link below.

• Passport interviews

The cost of using Check & Send

IPS recommends this service. As well as the standard passport application fee you must pay a handling charge to the Post Office. The charge is currently £8.75.

If you were born on or before 2 September 1929, you do not have to pay a handling charge for the Check & Send service.

For the costs of all types of passport see ‘Table of passport fees, how to pay and refunds’.

• Find your nearest Check & Send Post Office (choose 'passport checking service' from the dropdown list) Opens new window

• Table of passport fees, how to pay and refunds

Completing your application form

The Check & Send service is suitable for paper applications and for application forms that are completed online. If you complete and submit your form online, IPS prints it off and sends the pre-printed version to you to check, sign and return. Simply take the form and supporting documents to a Post Office branch that offers the Check & Send service.

What to do if the Post Office makes a mistake

If there is a mistake or oversight on the part of the Post Office, you can ask for a refund of their handling charge.

Neither IPS nor the Post Office will be responsible for any indirect or resulting loss you may have suffered. This includes (but is not limited to) any loss of opportunity, profit, income or reputation. This means that you can't claim for anything that has happened to you as a result of your passport being delayed. You can only claim a refund of the Check & Send handling charge.

More useful links

• Timetable for passport applications

• Checking the progress of your passport application

Useful contacts

• Foreign Office Travel Advice

• Identity and Passport Service (IPS)