Immigration | What is the quickest route to obtaining a UK passport?

Dear Mr. Bassie,

I am in need of a British passport and I would like to know the quickest way to obtaining one.

I look forward to your response.

L.B.

Dear L.B.,

People can pay to get a passport urgently if they think the standard service will take too long. They can use the online service to apply, pay and book an appointment at a passport office in the United Kingdom (UK) and they can book an appointment up to three weeks in advance.

Please note that Passport office appointments can last up to 10 minutes. If people need to travel urgently for medical treatment, on government business, or because a friend or family member is seriously ill or has died, they should call the Passport Adviceline instead.

Application Process

Please be aware that there are two ways to apply for an urgent passport.

one-day premium

The earliest appointment that a person can get is two days after applying. An applicant will need to hand in their old passport at the appointment. Their new passport will be ready to collect from the passport office four hours after their appointment. Please be aware that people can only use this service to renew an adult passport. It costs £239.50 (or £253.50) for a 54-page frequent traveller passport.

one-week fast track

The earliest applicants can get an appointment is the next day after they apply. The new passport will be delivered to the applicant by courier one week after their appointment.

People can use this service to renew a passport and/or change personal details on their passport (for example their name, place of birth or gender). They may also use this to replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport, It may also be used to get a child’s passport.

It costs £192 for an adult passport (or £206 for a 54-page frequent traveler passport) and £156.50 for a child passport (or £170.50 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport).

Apply online

Persons will be asked some questions to work out the services for which they are eligible. After this, persons can then book an appointment, apply and pay the fees.

They will need their old passport (if they have one); a digital photo of themselves; and a credit or debit card.

When persons cannot apply

Persons cannot use this service if they are applying for a first adult passport – they should use the standard service instead. Also, if they are outside the UK – they should apply for an emergency travel document instead.

Those persons who have already applied for a passport and have not received it yet should not pay for an urgent passport as they will not get their passport sooner and they will be charged a £34.50 admin fee for each additional application.

Change or canceling an appointment

To change an appointment, persons should follow the guidance in their confirmation email. Please note that there is no charge if the appointment is more than 48 hours away. If the appointment is less than 48 hours away, persons will need to cancel it instead and book again.

To cancel the appointment and get a refund, call the Passport Adviceline. The applicant will be charged a £34.50 admin fee if the appointment is less than 48 hours away. Persons who miss their appointment will not get a refund. Those persons will have to book and pay again.

Send someone in Applicant’s place

Please be aware that persons can ask someone else to go to their appointment in their stead. That person will need to take the applicant’s application reference number, which starts with ‘PEX’. This can be found on their confirmation email and in any text messages received about the appointment.

Persons who want to use the one-day premium service will also need to take the old passport; a signed and dated letter from the applicant, naming them and giving them permission to collect the new passport; and their ID, for example, a passport or driving licence.

Persons who use the one-week fast track service, who are sending someone in their place will also need to bring their old passport (if there is one) and any documents that the authorities asked to be brought into the service.

Good luck.

John S. Bassie

John S. Bassie is a barrister/attorney-at-law who practises law in Jamaica. He is a justice of the peace, a Supreme Court appointed mediator, a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a chartered arbitrator, the past global president of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (U.K.). Email: lawbassie@yahoo.com