HOME OFFICE News
Release (173/2007) issued by The Government News Network on 30
October 2007
Young people aged
16 or 17 will be able to apply for a passport without parental
consent, the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) announced today.
The new measure will bring passports in line with modern legal
practice for 16 and 17 year olds. Parental consent will still be
needed where a court order requires it or the young person has a
mental disability.
The conclusions of a review of policy on passports for children
also agreed that all passport renewals for children under 11 will
require a counter signatory. IPS will no longer require parental
views before issuing passports to 16 and 17 year olds who have
changed name. The measures will come into force on 10 December.
Home Office Minister Meg Hillier said:
"Today's changes will bring passport practice into line
with court practice on allowing young people to take
responsibility for their own decisions.
"At the same time a new requirement will be introduced for
children aged 11 or under for passport renewals to be
countersigned. It is important that we positively identify
children so that passports cannot be used to facilitate child
abduction or human trafficking."
Notes to editors
1. For general information see http://www.ips.gov.uk or call the
IPS Adviceline on 0870 5210410.