Renew Child Passport by Post | Child Passport

Paper Check & Send: How it works

Our service helps you get your application right first time with specially trained Postmasters for just £16 + Passport & Photo fees.

Complete the form

Complete a passport application form which is available to pick up in any branch.

Take your child’s photo

You'll need to submit 2 compliant, colour photos that have been certified. Alternatively we can do this for you in some branches.

We’ll check it’s right

Bring your child’s application form, photos and any supporting documents to selected branches and we'll check them to make sure they meet all HM Passport Office requirements.

We'll send it off

Your child’s application and all supporting documents will be sent off to HM Passport Office by Special Delivery.

You can use this service if:

Your child is under 16
You don't need a passport urgently. This normally means within 3 weeks for renewals and 6 weeks for new applications, however processing times may be longer during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

What you need:

Your child’s current passport
Proof of any changes (see FAQs for more details)
Parent’s passport details (if the applicant is under 16)
A countersignatory to sign your child’s application form and photos if you’re replacing a lost/stolen passport or the child is under 12 (see below for more details)

When will you need a countersignatory?

If you are replacing a lost/stolen passport or your child is under 12, you'll need to get someone else (a countersignatory) to sign your form and 2 passport photos to confirm your identity.

This person may be contacted for more information by HM Passport Office. Please check with them before you start the application that they are happy to be contacted for confirmation.

The person confirming your identity (the countersignatory) must:

Have known you personally (or the parent/guardian making the application for a child) for at least 2 years
Must not be related, in a relationship with or living at the same address as the applicant or the person making the application
Be 18 or older
Have a current UK passport and live in the UK

Top tips for filling in your passport form

Use a black ballpoint pen and write in capitals
Bring originals of your supporting documents and not photocopies
Stay within the white boxes and keep your signature within the border

Let us do the heavy lifting with a digital application

No fuss. We’ll complete and submit your application for you digitally.

Digital Check & Send

Paper Check & Send: FAQs

How much does the Paper Check & Send service cost?

The Paper Check & Send service cost £16, this includes the delivery fee to send your supporting documents to HMPO by Special Delivery. This fee is on top of what you have to pay HMPO for your passport. The cost of a new passport via a paper application is £58.50 for a Child and £85 for an Adult (not including the Check & Send fee and any fee incurred for taking compliant photos).

What documents are required to prove a change of name?

Have you changed your name by marriage or civil partnership?

Marriage certificate, or
Civil partnership certificate

Are you are going back to your maiden or unmarried name? Or to a previous name once used?

one document from List A below
a signed statement saying that you now use your maiden name for all purposes
your birth certificate
your marriage certificate showing both names
your decree absolute (if applicable)
evidence of all previous names from List B below

Do you want to travel in your new name shortly after getting married or forming a civil partnership?

Completed PD2 form (post dated form)
See www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information for advice and to download the PD2 form.

Are you changing the name on a child passport?

a signed statement from everyone that has parental responsibility for the child saying they give permission to the name change, or
a court order allowing the change of name and both of the following:
one piece of evidence from List A below
at least one piece of evidence from List B below

Are you are changing the spelling of your name slightly? e.g. Bryan to Brian, changing the order your forenames appear in your passport or dropping a forename?

You must provide either:

one document from List A and one document from List B below, or
two documents from List A below

Are you changing your name following gender re-assignment?

Gender recognition certificate or re-registered birth certificate
Or alternatively a letter from your doctor or medical consultant together with:
one document from List A below, and
at least one document from List B below

Are you changing your name for any other reason?

one document from List A below, and
at least one document from List B below

List A – please provide one document which confirms your name in current use

Tax record eg a letter from a tax authority
National identity card or equivalent
Employment record eg an official letter from your employer
Visa or residence permit
Educational record eg a school report
Letter sent to you from a central, regional or local government department
Driving Licence
Medical/health card
Voter’s card
Bank statement
Baptism/Confirmation certificate

List B – please provide one document that shows each name change that has taken place

Marriage certificate
Civil partnership certificate
Gender recognition certificate
Enrolled deed poll
Un-enrolled deed poll (change of name deed) signed in both your old and new names
Certificate of naturalisation or registration
Statutory declaration or affidavit signed in your new name
Birth certificate (upon re-registration)
Certificate from the Court of the Lord Lyon of Scotland
Adoption order/certificate

How do I know if my passport is damaged?

HM Passport Office classes a passport as damaged if:

details are indecipherable
the laminate has lifted enough to allow the possibility of photo substitution
discolouration to the bio-data page
chemical or ink spillage on any page
missing or detached pages
the chip or antenna shows through the end paper on the back cover for the new style e-passports
the chip has been identified as damaged after investigation

How can I get in touch?

Paper Check & Send: How it works

Paper Check & Send: Preparing for your child’s application

When will you need a countersignatory?

Top tips for filling in your passport form​

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Top tips for filling in your passport form