UK Passport Application: Common Passport Mistakes to Avoid
Planning a summer getaway? Ensure your passport application is not rejected.
As the summer travel season approaches, His Majesty’s Passport Office has issued a timely reminder to UK passport applicants: get the details right or risk delays—or worse, rejection.
In a social media post shared via the official HM Passport Office X account, applicants were urged to double-check every aspect of their submission.
“Your passport is your most important travel document – it's worth taking your time to get right! Before submitting your application check your photo meets all requirements; all personal details are correct; supporting documents are ready; [and] payment details are accurate.”
Whether you're applying for your first UK passport or renewing an expired one, following these four steps could save you a lot of trouble:
1. Make Sure Your Photo Meets All Requirements
Your passport photo must be recent, clear, in colour, and unedited.
It must:
- Be taken within the last month
- Be well-lit, high resolution, and in focus
- Show only you, with no other objects or people
- Have a plain, light-coloured background
- Avoid shadows or “red eye”
You must face the camera directly with a neutral expression, a closed mouth, and eyes clearly visible. Glasses are discouraged, but if worn, they must not cause glare or cover your eyes. Head coverings are only allowed for medical or religious reasons.
Even if your appearance hasn’t changed, a new passport means you need a new photo taken within the past month. Photos that don’t meet government requirements will result in delays.
2. Double-Check All Personal Information
Ensure all details—such as your full name, date of birth, and contact information—are correct before submitting your application.
3. Get Your Supporting Documents Ready
You may be required to submit proof of identity, proof of address, or supporting documents like a birth certificate, especially for first-time applicants. Have them ready in the correct format.
4. Ensure Your Payment Details Are Correct
Mistakes in your payment method could delay the processing of your application. Make sure your card details or payment account information are accurate and up to date.
Special Photo Rules for Children
For children and babies, photo rules are more relaxed:
- Babies under 1 don’t need open eyes or a neutral expression
- Children under 6 don’t need to look directly at the camera
- No toys or dummies allowed in baby photos
- Babies should lie on a plain sheet for the photo, and any supporting hands must be out of view
Avoid last-minute surprises; review the passport application rules before you plan your trip.
Travel should be exciting, not stressful. Skip the passport drama and let us take care of the details. Reach out to IaM today.
Is your passport up to date for your next trip? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.
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And because of the pandemic, don’t forget to get your travel insurance, which will cover you for flight disruptions and pandemic related matters.
IaM can help with your visa application to Europe, the United States, the UK & other countries
If you need help with a US visa, a UK Visa, or a visa to Europe, including help with appointment booking obligations, IaM can help. For more information and advice on US immigration, UK immigration law and US visa applications or if you need any help or assistance please, reach out to your Visa Coordinator at IaM.
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Over the past 6+ years, with IaM, and working in the travel and immigration sector, Charlie has authored 200+ in-depth guides on Schengen, UK visas & other destinations they have relocated 1,000+ families safely through the system. A Clockwork Practitioner, Charlie also works hard to streamline operations and adheres to the mantra "Task Clients Well".
When they’re not translating policy into plain English, you’ll find them scouting new destinations, collecting local stories, and mastering a new language to better serve our global community.
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