How do I get my first adult passport?

For British nationals aged 16 or over who have never had a UK passport, or whose last one was issued before 1 January 1994.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

You can apply if you're a British national aged 16 or over (or will be in 3 weeks) and have never had a UK passport. It costs £102 online or £115.50 with a paper form, and lasts 10 years.

You must also apply this way if your last passport was issued before 1 January 1994.
You can keep using a child passport until it expires.
Urgent services can't be used for a first adult passport.

Key facts

£102 online
Valid 10 years
No urgent service

What you need

a digital photo, or two printed photos for a paper form
a debit or credit card
someone to confirm your identity (a countersignatory)
original supporting documents (photocopies are not accepted)

Applying for your first adult passport costs £102 online or £115.50 by paper form. You cannot use the 1 week Fast Track or Online Premium services for a first adult passport.

Documents to send

The documents depend on where and when you were born.

Your situation	What to send
Born in the UK before 1 January 1983	Your full birth or adoption certificate
Born in the UK on or after 1 January 1983	Your full birth or adoption certificate, plus either proof that one parent was British when you were born (such as their full UK birth certificate, registration or naturalisation certificate, or British passport details), or evidence of one parent's immigration status in the UK when you were born (such as their foreign passport valid at the time). If you use your father's documents, also send your parents' marriage certificate.
Born outside the UK on or after 1 January 1983	Your full birth certificate showing your parents' details, the passport you used to come into the UK (or any foreign passport you are on), and evidence of one parent's British nationality
Naturalised or registered as British	Your naturalisation or registration certificate, and the passport you used to come into the UK or the foreign passport you are on

Choosing your countersignatory

Your countersignatory must:

have known you for at least 2 years, for example as a friend, neighbour or colleague
be a person of good standing in the community, or work in a recognised profession
hold a current British or Irish passport (if you apply in the UK)

They cannot be related to you by birth or marriage, be your partner, or live at your address.

How to apply online

Fill in the online form, upload your digital photo and pay £102.
Ask your countersignatory to confirm your identity. They get an email with instructions.
Once they have done this, you get an email saying which documents to send and where.
Post your original documents.
If asked, attend an identity interview. HM Passport Office will contact you to arrange it, and interviews are currently held by video.

Applying with a paper form

Get a form from a Post Office with a Check and Send service, or from the Passport Adviceline on 0300 222 0000. Your countersignatory signs the form and writes on the back of one photo: "I certify that this is a true likeness of" followed by your name, then signs and dates it. The paper form costs £115.50.

After you apply

Your passport is sent by courier or recorded delivery. Your documents come back separately. You can pay £5 extra for secure return of documents. Do not book travel until your passport arrives.

Things to know

Your adult passport lasts 10 years.
You can keep using a child passport until it expires, even after you turn 16.
If you are a dual national, the name and gender on your other passport must match what you want on your British passport.
For urgent medical or compassionate reasons, contact the Passport Adviceline.

Related guides

Where these figures come from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Apply online

Common questions

Who can countersign my first adult passport application?

Someone who has known you for at least 2 years and, if you apply in the UK, lives in the UK and has a current British or Irish passport. They cannot be a relative, your partner or live at your address.

Will I need an interview for my first adult passport?

You may need an interview to confirm your identity, and HM Passport Office will contact you to arrange it by video.

Can I still use my child passport after I turn 18?

Yes. You can use your child passport until it expires, even if you are over 18.

What if I need a first adult passport urgently?

If you need to travel urgently for medical treatment or because someone close is seriously ill or has died, call the Passport Adviceline.

Official sources

1.Getting your first adult passportwww.gov.uk/apply-first-adult-passport
2.Get a passport urgentlywww.gov.uk/get-a-passport-urgently
3.Countersigning passport applicationswww.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications
4.First adult passport: after you applywww.gov.uk/apply-first-adult-passport/after-you-apply

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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