Archive Website of the UK government

The cost of a first adult passport

It costs £72.50 for a standard 32-page ten-year adult passport. If you were born on or before 2 September 1929, your passport is free of charge. You can find more detailed information in the section 'Passport fees, how long it takes and urgent applications'.

• Passport fees, how long it takes and urgent applications

• Qualifying for a free passport (pensions and retirement planning section)

The application form

How to get the application form

You can get the form in four ways. You can:

• complete it online, in which case IPS will print out the completed form and send it to you to sign and return with supporting documents
• collect it from a Post Office branch that offers the Passport Check & Send service
• request it online and IPS will send you one in the post - allow up to five working days for delivery
• call the Passport Adviceline 0300 222 0000 and ask IPS to send it to you in the post - allow up to five working days for delivery

• Online passport application form explained

• Complete the application form online Opens new window

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

• Request a passport application form Opens new window

Who needs to sign it

You need to sign the form yourself and should also get it countersigned at section 10.

The person you ask to countersign should be a person you have known personally for at least two years. They must also:

• be over 18
• hold a current British or Irish passport
• be willing to write their passport number on the form

They should work in a recognised profession or otherwise have good standing in the community. For a list of suitable professions, see 'Who can countersign your application?'

You should ask the same person to certify one of your photographs. They do this by writing on the back:

• 'I certify that this is a true likeness of [Miss, Mr, Mrs, Ms or other title and your full name]'

They must then sign and date the statement.

• Who can countersign your application?

• Passport photos and who can certify them

Supporting documents

IPS needs to see original documents that prove you are British. IPS does not accept photocopies of documents.

IPS normally only accepts laminated documents for change of name purposes. However, documents that are laminated for Braille labelling are acceptable for all types of application.

A birth certificate is not considered absolute proof of identity. Even if you were born in the UK, IPS may ask to see further documents.

If your name has changed or is about to change

If you've changed, or are about to change, your name, you may need to supply extra documents. See 'If your name has changed or is about to change - first adult passport' for more information.

• If your name has changed or is about to change - first adult passport

If you were born or adopted in the UK

If you were born in the UK before 1983, IPS needs to see your birth or adoption certificate.

If you were born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983, IPS needs to see your full birth or adoption certificate. This has to show your parents' details. They also need to see one of the following:

• your mother's UK birth certificate, Home Office certificate of registration or naturalisation, or her passport that was valid at the time of your birth
• your father's UK birth certificate, Home Office certificate of registration or naturalisation, or his passport that was valid at the time of your birth and your parents' marriage certificate

IPS may ask for further documents relating to your parents.

If you were born outside the UK and have a certificate of naturalisation or registration from the Home Office

If you were born outside the UK and have a certificate of naturalisation or registration, IPS needs:

• your naturalisation or registration certificate
• the passport on which you entered the UK

If you were born before 1983 and are a citizen of a British overseas territory

If you were born before 1983 and are a citizen of a British overseas territory, IPS needs:

• your birth certificate
• your current passport

If you were born before 1983 and your father was born in the UK

If you were born before 1983 and your father was born in the UK, IPS needs:

• your full birth certificate showing your parents' details
• your father's birth certificate*
• your parents' marriage certificate*
• the passport on which you entered the UK

Note*: if your birth certificate was issued by a British consulate or high commission, send that instead of your parents' birth or marriage certificates.

If you were born before 1983, you cannot claim British nationality automatically through your mother.

• Order a birth or marriage certificate (government, citizens and rights section)

• Order an adoption certificate (government, citizens and rights section)

Useful contacts

• Foreign Office Travel Advice

• Identity and Passport Service (IPS)