Passport Change of Address

Many organisations need to be notified of your new address when you move. This guide will cover everything you need to know about a change of address on your passport.

This guide will cover the following:

• Do I need to change my address on my passport?
• When do I need to update my passport?
• How do I renew my passport?
• Passport Fees
• Fees for returning supporting documentation
• How do I update my photo on my passport?
• What happens after I have updated my passport?
• Can I track my passport application?

Do I need to change my address on my passport?

The simple answer is no; you don't need to update your passport when you change your address.

When do I need to update my passport?

You'll need to update your passport when making any of the following changes:

• Your name
• Your gender
• Your appearance (for example, if you have had plastic surgery)

You do not need to update your passport when you:

• Change your address or contact details
• Get a new job
• Change your appearance slightly (for example, if you dye your hair)
• Change your title (for example, doctor or professor)
• Become a national of another country as well as the UK
• Emigrate
  

How do I renew my passport?

To renew or update your passport, you can do it online or use a paper application form. To update your passport online, you will need the following:

• A digital photo
• A credit or debit card for payment
• Your current passport

To update your passport by post, you'll need to get a paper application form by going to the Post Office that has a Check and Send Service or calling the Passport Adviceline.

Passport Fees

Fees for returning supporting documentation

Sometimes you will need to send supporting documentation such as birth certificates or a deed poll. These documents will be returned by standard second class post free of charge; if you would like your documents to be returned by secure post, there will be an additional charge of £5.

How do I update my photo on my passport?

You can update your photo in two ways. The first is getting a digital passport photo, and the second is getting a printed passport-sized photo. To apply online, you will need a digital photo; you can get a digital photo either by taking one using your own device or from a photo booth or shop. Most photo booths and shops will allow you to get a code with your digital photo, this code can then be used when applying online. To avoid delay, make sure that your printed photos meet the guidelines. Your digital photo must:

• Contain no other objects or people
• Taken against a plain coloured background
• Be in clear contrast to the background
• Have no ‘red-eye.’

When applying in paper form, you will need two identical printed photos. To avoid delay, make sure that your printed photos meet the guidelines. The quality of your printed photos must:

• Printed to a professional standard
• Clear and in focus
• In colour on plain white photographic paper with no border
• Unmarked on both sides
• Unaltered by any computer software.

What happens after I have updated my passport?

You will be able to track the progress of your application, and your new passport will be sent to you by courier or Royal Mail.

Can I track my passport application?

You can track the application of your passport depending on how you applied for it. You can track your application immediately if you have applied online and your application reference begins with ‘PEX’. If you applied using the Post Office Check and Send Service, you can track the application. If you filled out a paper application, you can use the passport application tracker.