Go to your nearest registry office and obtain an original full copy of your birth certificate, which you will have to send with your British passport application. You're eligible to have a British passport if you were born within the United Kingdom, prior to January 1, 1983. If you were not born within the United Kingdom, but either of your parents were born within the United Kingdom and they had full nationality, then you also maybe eligible to apply for a full British passport. If you have the right of abode in the UK as defined by the Immigration Act 1971 and have lived within the UK for a minimum of 5 years, you can apply. If you've been married to a British passport holder for a minimum of 3 years without leaving the country, you can apply. If you do not fall into the previous categories, you may have to prove that you can provide for yourself financially and may have to pass a few immigration type interviews before being allowed to live within the United Kingdom.
Collect a British passport application form. If you are over 16 years of age and this is your first time applying for a British passport, you will not be able to apply for a fast track service via the post office or the British Passport Office, just in case an interview is required. There is only one type of form to use when applying for a British passport and you can either collect one from your nearest post office or you can telephone the 24-hour Passport Advice line 0300 222 0000 and have a form posted to you. You can also apply online for a form to be sent to you through the UK passport and government website.
Complete the relevant British passport application. Ensure that you only complete the form in all capital letters and use only a black ballpoint pen. Write within the answer boxes only or your application may be refused as the computer system may not be able to recognize your answers.
Ensure you take note of section 10 within the British passport application. There is a section relating to a counter signature required upon your application. The counter signature must be from someone who is over 18 and holds a current British passport themselves. The individual must be willing to reveal their passport number, must of known you for at least 2 years and sign the back of one of the required passport photos for processing. The type of individual must be within a recognized profession or respected within the community.
Take your British passport application, birth certificate, photos and payment to the nearest post office. You can apply directly through the mail but the post office usually offers a free passport service. They will check your passport application for you and can also take your passport pictures for your application, but cannot countersign the needed photo, unless the individual has actually known you for the required amount of time. Prices for different types of passport applications do vary but the price for a first time British passport application is £72 for an adult and £46 for a child's application. For further renewal prices and more, please see the bottom of this article. If your passport application is successful, it can take up to 2 to 3 weeks for you to receive your new British passport through the post.
