Telephone: +44 (0)2072291412

Fax: +44 (0) 2072292221

Email: info@direct-visas.co.uk

Children's passport

All children, from new-born babies to the age of 15, must now have their own individual passport. Once they reach their 16th birthday they then become eligible for a standard 10 year passport.

Children included on passports before 5th october 1998

Before 5th October 1998 many children were already included on a valid passport. These children can still continue to travel abroad with the passport holder until either:

• The child reaches the age of 16.
• The passport on which the child is included expires.
• The passport on which the child is included is submitted for amendment.

Remember, children cannot be re-added to passports which are submitted for amendment. In these circumstances, you will need to apply for separate passports for any children who were previously included on your passport.

Important - Children travelling to the USA from 26 October 2004 will need their own passport; see information in the news section.

When your child becomes 16

Once your child reaches 16 years of age they will require their own passport and their details must be removed from yours. Please enclose your passport with your child's application and it will be returned once the details have been deleted.

Documents required

The child's passport will initially be valid for 5 years, but can be renewed for a further 5 years at the end of this period.

Before issue of the first passport we will need to see evidence of the child's claim to British citizenship. You must include the original of the relevant documents as listed below. Copies or photocopies of any sort will not be accepted.

Child born in the United Kingdom

• Child's full birth certificate.

Child born outside the United Kingdom after 1st January 1983

Father born in UK:

• Child's full birth certificate, showing both parents' names.
• Fathers birth certificate.
• Parents' marriage certificate.

Mother born in UK:

• Child's full birth certificate.
• Mother's birth certificate.

Consular birth certificate

If the child has a Consular birth certificate issued by a British Consulate abroad, you may submit this instead of the parents' documents listed above.

Child naturalised

• Child's naturalisation certificate.

This list is not exhaustive. More complex claims to British citizenship will require us to see other documents. Contact your local Passport Office for further advice.

Children in care

Children who are in care or are placed with foster parents need to meet additional legal requirements before a passport can be issued. You will need to contact your local Passport Office for further advice.

Children working abroad

Children or young people travelling abroad for the purpose of entertaining or performing may, in certain circumstances, require a Magistrate's licence beforehand. Please contact your local Passport Office for further advice.

Child's signature / consent of parent

Digital reproductions of the holder's signatures are now being printed in new passports so please ensure the correct person signs sections 6, 7 and/or 9 as laid out below.

Child aged 11 years or younger

Leave section 6 of the application form blank. No signature will be reproduced on these passports.

Child aged between 12 and 15 years

The child should complete section 6 of the form and sign their name in the box. Please ensure the signature is within the box. The child's signature will be reproduced on these passports.

Section 9 should be completed and signed by a parent* or person with parental responsibility.

16 and 17 year-olds

Section 7 should be completed by a parent* or person with parental responsibility, except where the child is married (in which case the marriage certificate should be produced) or enlisted in Her Majesty's Forces. Section 9 should be completed by the child.

*Where the parents of the child are unmarried, consent must be given by the child's mother, unless the father has a parental responsibility order or agreement.

Photographs and babies

All applications must be accompanied by two photographs of the baby or child taken against a white background. In the case of very young babies, the baby's head can be supported as long as the baby's face is clear. A parent's hand in the picture is acceptable. Alternatively, you may choose to have the photograph taken professionally.

We fully appreciate that the appearance of a baby changes very rapidly, but many parents have always elected for their child to have a separate passport. These have been successfully issued to babies and young children for many years without encountering any problems about the child's identity or appearance. However, you can if you wish, change the photograph during the 5 year life of the passport, although this is not necessary.