Who can apply
You can apply for a first adult passport if all of the following apply:
- you’re a British national
- you’re aged 16 or over (or will be in 3 weeks)
- you’ve never had a UK passport before
You must also apply if your last UK passport was issued before 1 January 1994.
You can use your child passport until it expires, even if you’re over 18.
An adult passport is valid for 10 years.
How long it takes
Check how long it will take to get a passport before you apply.
If you need a passport to travel urgently for medical treatment or because a friend or family member is seriously ill or has died, call the Passport Adviceline.
Do not book travel until you get your passport.
Ways to apply
If you’re in the UK, you can either:
- apply online - it costs £75.50
- apply with a paper form - it costs £85
There’s a different way to apply if you’re overseas.
If you have a non-British passport
If you have dual citizenship (‘dual nationality’) and have a non-British passport, the name and gender on your non-British passport must match the name and gender you want on your British passport.
If they’re different, change the details on your non-British passport before you apply for a new British passport.
