The application form, fee and supporting documents for a first adult passport :Cross Stitch – Travel and transport

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.

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.

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 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.