What supporting documents do you need for a UK passport?
The exact documents you’ll need depend on your unique situation. We’ve grouped them accordingly so you always know what you need.
General documents (Required for most applications)
These are the core documents you’ll need regardless of the application type;
Proof of identity: This confirms who you are (e.g., birth certificate or previous passport).
Proof of British nationality: Shows your eligibility for a UK passport (e.g., birth, adoption, or naturalisation certificate).
Passport photo: A recent photo that meets HM Passport Office requirements. You need a digital photo if you apply online, or two new and identical printed photos if you use a paper form.
Name change documents (if applicable): Evidence of any name changes, such as a marriage certificate or deed poll.
Supporting identification (if requested): Additional ID may be required in some cases to verify your identity.
Certified translations (if applicable): Required if any document is not in English or Welsh. Someone to confirm your identity (if applicable): For a first adult or child passport, a replacement for a lost, stolen or damaged passport, or a renewal for a child aged 11 or under, someone who has known you for at least 2 years must confirm your identity. On a paper form, this person (the countersignatory) signs your fom and 1 of your photos.
Documents required by application type
1. Applying for a UK passport for the first time
If this is your first UK passport, you’ll need more detailed documentation to prove your identity and nationality. This includes;
Full birth or adoption certificate (showing parents’ details)
Proof of British nationality (e.g., naturalisation or registration certificate, if applicable)
Evidence of parents’ nationality (if claiming through them)
Additional identity documents (if requested by HM Passport Office)
Details of someone who can confirm your identity (a countersignatory, if you are applying on paper)
2. Renewing a UK passport
Renewing your passport is pretty straightforward, especially if your details haven’t changed. You’ll typically need:
Your current or most recent UK passport
New passport photo (if applying by post or if your appearance has changed significantly): You need one every time you renew, even if your appearance hasn’t changed. You also need a digital photo if you apply online, or 2 new and identical printed photos if you use a paper form.
Name change documents (if your name is different from your previous passport)
3. Replacing a lost or stolen passport
If your passport has been lost or stolen, you’ll need to provide extra verification:
Completed loss or theft report (e.g., LS01 form or equivalent declaration)
Proof of identity (e.g., birth certificate or other official ID)
Additional documents to confirm your identity (if requested): If you apply online, you’ll ask someone to confirm your identity.
Note: Cancel your lost or stolen passport before you apply for a replacement. You can do this online on the UK Government website. If it was stolen, also report it to the police. If you apply online, you’ll need someone to confirm your identity online. If you use a paper form, you will need a countersignatory to sign your form and one of your photos.
4. Replacing a damaged passport
For damaged passports, you must submit:
The damaged passport
A written explanation of how the damage occurred
A new passport photo
Someone to confirm your identity (a countersignatory, if you’re applying on paper)
5. Applying for a child’s UK passport
Child applications require documents for both the child and the parent(s):
Child’s full birth or adoption certificate
Proof of British nationality (if not automatically clear from the birth certificate)
Details and consent of parents or guardians
Parents’ proof of identity (e.g., passports)
Any relevant court orders (if applicable, e.g., custody arrangements)
Someone to confirm the child’s identity, for a first child passport or a renewal for a child aged 11 or under. For a child, this person must have known the adult who signs the application for at least 2 years.
Note: Your foreign birth certificate must be the full or long-form version, not a short-form extract. Short-form certificates, which show only the child's details without parental information, are not accepted. If your country of birth only issues short-form certificates, contact HM Passport Office for guidance before applying.
Recommended Reading
UK Certificate of Naturalisation Application – Documents & Requirements
Which passport documents need to be in English?
All supporting documents in a foreign language must be translated into English. Whether it's a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or any other document, if it’s in a foreign language, you must translate it before your application can be processed.
According to the UK Home Office, any supporting document that is not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified English translation. You must also submit both the original document and the translation together; the translation alone is not sufficient, and the original alone will not be accepted. HM Passport Office returns your supporting documents separately from your new passport, so keep copies of everything before you send it.
What is a certified translation and does your passport application need one?
If you have been told your documents need a certified translation, you may be wondering what that means and whether it is different from a standard translation you might get online or from a bilingual friend. It is, and the difference matters.
A certified translation is a complete, accurate English translation of a foreign-language document, accompanied by a signed statement from the translator confirming that it is a true and accurate representation of the original. It must include the translator's name, qualifications, contact details, and the completion date.
The key word here is “certified.” The translation itself is not what makes it official; the accompanying statement of accuracy, signed by a professional translator, gives the document its legal standing. Without that statement, even a perfect translation will be rejected.
What a certified translation must include
For a certified translation to be valid for use, it must include the following;
A statement of accuracy; a signed declaration confirming the translation is a true and accurate representation of the original document.
The translator's full name
The translator's qualifications or professional membership
Contact details
Date of translation
Translator's signature
Note: The translation must also be complete. Every part of the original document should be translated, including stamps, official seals, handwritten notes, and marginal annotations. Omitting any element, even one that seems minor, can raise questions about the integrity of the translation and delay your application. Additionally, the translator’s qualifications or professional membership aren’t a formal UK Government requirement. But including them makes the translation easier to verify, so most professional providers add them.
Does the translation need to be notarised?
For a UK passport application, your translation does not need to be notarised. A certified translation is usually enough.
There are limited situations where you may need notarisation of documents, such as during a parental dispute or unusual citizenship claims, but these are the exceptions, not the rule. If you are unsure whether your specific situation requires it, contact HM Passport Office before requesting it.
Recommended Reading
How Much Does Translation Cost in the UK?
Who can provide a certified translation for a UK passport?
You can use any of the following:
Professional translation agencies: Established companies that provide certified translations for official documents, such as Translayte. This is the most reliable option.
Qualified freelance translators: Independent translators with verifiable credentials and experience in official or legal documents.
Accredited translators or linguists: Members of recognised bodies such as the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) or Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL).
Note: The UK has no sworn-translator system, and membership of ITI or CIOL is not required. What matters is that the translation is complete and carries the certification details listed above.
Can a translator outside the UK provide the translation?
Yes, the translator does NOT need to be based in the UK. HM Passport Office accepts certified translations from overseas, as long as they meet the required standards.
However, to avoid delays or rejection, make sure:
The translation is fully certified (not just translated text)
The translator includes verifiable contact details
The format clearly matches the original document
The service is experienced with UK official requirements
We recommend that you use a trusted provider, such as Translayte that regularly handles UK passport applications. Request a free quote to get started.
Who cannot provide a certified translation?
To protect the credibility of your translation, the following people cannot provide translations for UK passport purposes;
You (the applicant)
Friends or family members
Unverified or informal translators
Machine translations (e.g., Google Translate) without certification
Common document mistakes that delay or reject UK passport applications
Submitting a translation without the original document.
Using a translator who doesn’t include proper certification, one of the most common and costly mistakes.
Providing a translation without a signed certification statement or the translator’s name and contact information.
Submitting a short-form birth certificate instead of the required long-form version.
Having name inconsistencies across documents (e.g. a missing middle name on one document).
Sending documents that are damaged, torn, or have faded or unclear details.
Providing photocopies instead of original documents, which are not accepted.
Submitting a marriage certificate that does not show both parties’ names exactly as they appear on other documents.
Including adoption documents that do not confirm the full legal transfer of parentage.
Providing court orders that are missing an official court seal or a judge’s signature.
Not providing a new photo when renewing, or choosing a countersignatory who has not known you for at least 2 years.
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