How to Renew a British Passport While Overseas

As one of the Queen's loyal subjects you probably keep most things up-to-date. While overseas, your passport may be the most important item to keep current.
This renewal process can take six weeks, so get this complete long before you need it.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Passport photos (two)
• Birth certificate

1. Obtain passport renewal forms online at the official Identity and Passport website, or through the mail. Complete form C1 if you are applying for a United Kingdom passport and are a British citizen, British Dependent Territories citizen, British Overseas citizen, British subject and British protected person and are over the age of 16.

2. Fill out and sign the forms. Be sure to initial each page in the box provided, failure to do so will slow down the processing. No counter signer is necessary.

3. Submit the application, a birth certificate, proving you are a British citizen along with your current passport or the last passport you used, two identical passport photos and a small renewal fee to your nearest consulate or embassy.

4. Sit back and wait. It can take around six weeks to renew a passport. If you are in a hurry and you can find an authorized Worldchoice travel agent. This process can be expedited for a fee.

Tips & Warnings

• You can get help at the IPS 24-hour Passport Adviceline [phone].

• The IPS does not accept applications by post or email if you live abroad.

Resources

• Foreign and Commonwealth Office
• The IPS website