WIREDGOV

HM Passport Office has launched a new online passport renewal service as part of its drive to improve customer services.

The new service means that the majority of adults can now renew their passport online. Following a successful pilot in 2016, over 240,000 people have renewed their passport online using the new service.

Immigration Minister Robert Goodwill, said:

This latest offering is a key part of the Home Office’s drive to transform the way we deliver our services through digitisation. It is designed to improve efficiency and convenience by providing a modern and secure service to millions of passport holders and applicants.

The service means applicants can upload a suitable digital photo from their smartphone or tablet, making applying for a passport quick and simple. In total, the whole process takes 10 minutes on average.

Passport applicants who meet the following criteria will be directed to the service when they choose to apply online:

• age 26 or over residing in the UK
• do not hold dual nationality
• are in possession of their current passport (not damaged, lost or stolen)
• will not be making any changes to their name
• the passport that is being renewed expired after 2012

This fully online service will gradually become available to all passport customers. In the meantime, all UK customers and British citizens overseas can still complete the majority of their application and pay online, before printing and returning a signed declaration, their supporting documents, and photographs in the post to HM Passport Office to process.

Each year, HM Passport Office issues over 6 million passports, operating 7 regional passport offices and from over 40 passport interview offices across the UK.

To renew your passport online visit www.gov.uk/apply-renew-passport.

Guidance on acceptable passport photos is also available.