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THE worst possible thing that could happen is if you book a holiday abroad and your child’s passport hasn’t arrived in time.
By following these tips, hopefully you can avoid any future travel heartache.
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How long does it take to get a child first passport?
You must allow up to 10 weeks if you are completing a standard passport application for your child in the UK.
However, if you are in urgent need of a child passport, you can use the one week Fast Track Service.
You will need to get a paper form from the Post Office and then you can book your appointment online.
You must then take the filled in form, along with two passport photos and any relevant supporting documents (detailed in the booklet that comes with the form) to your Fast Track appointment.
As the name suggests, you will receive your child passport a week after your Fast Track appointment.
The easiest way to apply for a child’s passport is through the Government website here.
Your child must be a British national to apply for a British passport, and both parents’ details need to be included on the application.
It costs £53.50 to apply online and £64 to apply with a paper form from the Post Office.
If you are using the Passport Check and Send service, this is an additional £16 to do online (which includes the cost of the passport photo), or £16 to do via post (which doesn’t include the cost of the passport photo).
If you need the passport urgently and are using the one week Fast Track service, this costs £122 for a child passport.
How long does a child’s first passport last?
A child passport lasts for five years.
As part of the application process, you will have to ask someone to confirm your child’s identity.
Once you have nominated someone, they will receive an email from HM Passport Office with further instructions.
The person must be someone who works in, or is retired from, a “recognised profession”.
For a list of the professions accepted, click here.
If you prefer, you can also apply for a child passport by post – simply ask for a paper form from the Post Office.
Or you can call the Passport Adviceline on 0300 222 0000 and ask them to send you out a form.
Applying by post does have the advantage of being able to use the Passport Check and Send service.
This is a service provided by some post offices that allows them to check your application.
It also means your application is less likely to be rejected.
You can check which of your local Post Offices offers the service here.
Can one parent apply for a child passport UK?
If you cannot provide both parents’ details, you will be given the opportunity to explain why.
For example, you’re the only parent named on the birth certificate or you adopted the child on your own.
