How to Renew an Adult British Passport Before It Expires or Before Travel

Check whether your passport has enough validity for your trip

You must renew your adult British passport before travelling if it has expired or if it does not have enough validity remaining for the country you plan to visit. There is no single worldwide rule for how much time must be left on a British passport, so check the entry requirements for your destination and any country you will transit.

For example, countries in the Schengen area generally require a full British citizen passport to have been issued less than 10 years before the date of arrival and to expire at least 3 months after the planned date of departure from the Schengen area. Other countries can use different rules.

A burgundy British passport or one with 'European Union' on the cover can still be used if it remains valid for the trip. You do not need to replace it solely because of its cover design.

Adult passport renewal fees in 2026

From 8 April 2026, a standard adult British passport renewal from within the UK costs £102 online or £115.50 by paper application.

If you need a 54-page frequent traveller passport, the current fee is £116 online or £129.50 by paper form.

The fee is for processing the application. HM Passport Office states that you cannot receive a refund simply because you cancel the application or are not entitled to a passport.

Documents and information for an online renewal

The online service is the standard and cheaper way to renew an adult passport from within the UK. You need:

• your existing British passport;
• a new digital photograph;
• a debit or credit card;
• any other passport information or supporting documents HM Passport Office requests.

HM Passport Office also requires information about any valid passports you hold from another country. For another valid passport, you must send either the physical passport or a colour photocopy of every page, including blank pages.

Get a new digital passport photo

You must provide a new photograph whenever you receive a new passport, even if your appearance has not changed. GOV.UK states that the photo must have been taken within the last month.

For an online application, you can obtain a digital photo in two main ways:

• have a photo taken at a participating photo booth or shop and obtain a digital photo code; or
• take a digital photo using your own device during the application.

If you use a code from a shop or booth, enter it during the online application and the photo will be added to your application automatically.

HM Passport Office warns that applications can be delayed when photographs do not meet the official passport photo rules.

Apply through the HM Passport Office online service

To renew online, use the official HM Passport Office passport application service. The standard online adult renewal fee is £102.

Complete the application accurately, upload or connect your new digital photograph and pay by debit or credit card. The service then tells you which documents to send and where to send them.

Your old passport must be sent as part of a standard renewal. If it contains an unexpired visa, send the passport with the visa attached. HM Passport Office says your previous passport will be returned to you.

In many cases, an unexpired visa can still be used by carrying both your new passport and your returned previous passport, although you should check the rules of the country that issued the visa. GOV.UK specifically notes that different rules apply for travel to Russia.

Paper passport renewal through a Post Office or Passport Adviceline

If you do not want to apply online, you can obtain a paper passport application form from a Post Office offering Passport Check and Send or by calling the Passport Adviceline.

A standard adult passport renewal by paper form costs £115.50. The application pack allows payment by debit or credit card, and HM Passport Office also accepts a cheque payable to 'HM Passport Office' for this renewal route.

You need 2 new and identical printed photographs. Follow the form instructions carefully and send the application to the address provided.

Do you need a countersignature or identity confirmation?

A straightforward adult passport renewal does not normally require another person to confirm your identity. However, HM Passport Office can require identity confirmation if it cannot identify you from its existing records or if your appearance has changed significantly.

For a paper renewal, GOV.UK says your form and one printed photograph must be countersigned if your appearance has changed and you cannot be recognised from your existing passport.

A countersignatory must meet HM Passport Office rules, including knowing you for at least 2 years and meeting the required professional or community-standing criteria. If you apply online and HM Passport Office needs a digital referee, the service will tell you what to do.

Allow at least the standard passport processing period

HM Passport Office currently states that applicants in the UK will usually receive their passport within 3 weeks.

The 3-week period starts when HM Passport Office receives your documents, not necessarily when you first complete the online form. An application can take longer if HM Passport Office needs more information or requires an interview.

HM Passport Office says it will tell you within that period if additional information or an interview is needed.

Do not book travel until you have a valid passport. A renewed passport will have a different passport number from the old one, which can also matter if you have already entered passport details into an airline, visa or travel booking.

Track your passport application

After applying, keep your application reference number. HM Passport Office provides an online tracking service that allows you to check the progress of your passport application.

When approved, your passport is delivered by courier or Royal Mail. Depending on the delivery method, it can be posted through your letterbox, handed to you or held for collection after a delivery notification.

Urgent passport services for upcoming travel

If the standard service is too slow for your circumstances, HM Passport Office offers paid urgent services subject to eligibility and appointment availability.

1 day Premium service

The 1 day Premium service can be used to renew an adult passport. The current standard adult fee is £239.50.

The earliest appointment is normally 2 days after you apply. You hand your old passport in at the passport office appointment, and HM Passport Office says the new passport will be ready for collection 4 hours after the appointment.

HM Passport Office's digital service specifies that this Premium renewal route is for an adult passport issued after 31 December 2001.

1 week Fast Track service

The 1 week Fast Track service can also be used to renew an adult passport. Current HM Passport Office fee information lists the standard adult Fast Track fee as £192.

You must apply, pay and book a passport office appointment. Availability is not guaranteed, so an urgent service should not be treated as a substitute for renewing in good time.

If you need a passport urgently for medical treatment, urgent government business, or because a friend or family member is seriously ill or has died, HM Passport Office tells applicants to contact the Passport Adviceline instead.

Use a different process for lost damaged or changed passports

This procedure covers renewing an existing adult passport because it is expiring, expired or does not have enough validity for travel. A different process applies if your passport is lost, stolen or damaged. A lost or stolen passport must be cancelled before you apply for a replacement.

If you need to change your name, gender or appearance on the passport rather than simply renew unchanged details, follow the separate Helpydo guide on how to change your name, gender or appearance on a British passport.

If this would be your first adult British passport rather than a renewal, use the separate guide on how to apply for your first adult British passport.

Check the destination rules instead of relying only on the expiry date

A passport that has not technically expired can still be unsuitable for a particular trip. Entry requirements are set by the destination country, and they can specify both the maximum age of the passport and how long it must remain valid after your planned departure.

For Schengen countries, UK government travel advice currently states that a British passport generally must have been issued less than 10 years before arrival and must expire at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area.

Always check the current government travel advice for your actual destination before deciding whether your remaining passport validity is sufficient.

Avoid these passport renewal mistakes

• Waiting until the printed expiry date without checking travel rules. Some countries require additional validity beyond your trip.
• Using an old photograph. Your new photo must have been taken within the last month.
• Failing to send your previous passport. Follow the document instructions issued after your application.
• Not declaring another valid passport. HM Passport Office requires the physical document or a colour copy of every page when applicable.
• Counting the 3 weeks from the wrong date. HM Passport Office says the processing period starts when it receives your documents.
• Booking travel using the old passport number. Your renewed passport will have a different number.
• Using renewal for a lost, stolen, damaged or changed-details passport. Use the correct replacement or personal-details procedure instead.