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What Documents Do I Need for a Passport?

The process for applying for a new passport, or a passport renewal, is different depending on the issuing country or territory.

Some countries have a simple system, only requiring a completed application and a valid form of ID. Others also require supporting documentation and additional steps. 

The information provided here is based on current passport regulations, but these can be subject to change.

To stay up to date with the passport procedure for a given country, it is advisable to consult official government information.

You can contact your local embassy or consulate for the latest updates.

What Documents Are Needed for a US Passport?

To apply for a United States passport, you must provide all the following documents:

  • Copy of the U.S. State Department’s form DS-11 (completed and printed)
  • Proof of U.S. citizenship
  • Photo ID
  • Photocopy of front and back of photo ID
  • Passport photo

What Counts as Proof of Citizenship?

Proof of citizenship can be in the form of one of the following:

  • Birth certificate
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
  • Certificate of Naturalization
  • Certificate of Citizenship

What Are the Accepted Forms of Photo ID?

Accepted forms of photo ID when applying for a US passport include:

  • Driver’s license
  • Government-issued ID
  • Military ID
  • Certificate of Naturalization
  • Previously issued passport (if renewing)

If you do not have one of these, you must submit any secondary forms of identification that you have. This can include:

  • Delayed birth certificate
  • Letter of no record
  • Early public or private documents
  • Form DS-10 birth affidavit

What Documents Do You Need for a UK Passport?

The required documents for a UK passport application depend on when you were born.

Requirements may also vary depending on if you were born in the UK or overseas.

Born or Adopted in the UK

If you were born before 1 January 1983, you just need your full birth or adoption certificate.

If your date of birth is on or after 1 January 1983, you must provide your full birth or adoption certificate and one of the following:

  • Mother’s or father’s full UK birth certificate
  • Home Office certificate of registration or naturalization
  • British passport of a parent, valid when you were born
  • British passport number for either parent
  • Evidence of a parent’s immigration status in the UK at the time of your birth, such as a foreign passport

If your documents relate only to your father, you must also provide your parents’ marriage certificate.

Born Outside the UK

The required documents for someone born overseas depend on their individual circumstances. 

If you have a certificate of naturalization or registration, you must provide both of the following documents:

  • Naturalization or registration certificate
  • The passport you used to enter the UK, or the foreign passport you are included on

If you are a citizen of a British overseas territory and born before 1 January 1983, you must provide all the following:

  • Birth certificate
  • Current passport
  • The passport you used to enter the UK, or the foreign passport you are included on

If you were born before 1 January 1983 and your father was born in the UK, you need these documents:

  • Full birth certificate with your parents’ details
  • Father’s birth certificate
  • Parents’ marriage certificate
  • The passport you used to enter the UK, or the foreign passport you are on

If you were born on or after 1 January 1983, required documents are:

  • Full birth certificate showing your parents’ details
  • The passport you used to enter the UK, or a foreign passport that you are on
  • Evidence of a parent’s British nationality (UK birth or adoption, naturalization or registration certificate)

If these documents are related to your father, you must include your parents’ marriage certificate.

UK Passport Document Specifications

All documents must be sent in the original form or official copies. Photocopies will be rejected.

Documents must be in English or Welsh. If they are in another language, a certified translation must be included.

Laminated documents are accepted if they were issued in this form.

Disclaimer
Handyvisas.com is not owned by, or affiliated with any government agency. We are a private, online agency that provides assistance in submitting applications for tourist visits to different countries around the world. Applications can also be made directly through government websites.