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The application form, fee and supporting documents for a first adult passport

The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) has one standard form for all types of individual passport applications. It comes with full instructions, whether you fill in the paper version or complete it online. Learn how to get the form and what fee and supporting documents you need to send IPS.

The cost of a first adult passport

It costs £77.50 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'.

The application form

How to get it

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

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

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 someone who has known you for at least two years. They must:

  • 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. You can find a list of suitable professions by following the link below to '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.

Supporting documents

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

IPS normally accepts laminated documents for change of name purposes only, but 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

You may need to supply extra documents in this case. You should check by following the link below.

If you were born or adopted in the UK

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

If you were born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983, IPS needs to see your UK national identity card or your full birth or adoption certificate showing your parents' details and 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

In this case IPS needs two documents:

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

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

In this case IPS needs two documents:

  • your birth certificate
  • your current passport

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

In this case IPS needs four documents:

  • 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 you have a birth certificate issued by a British consulate or high commission abroad, you can send that instead of your parents' birth and/or marriage certificates.

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

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