frequent traveller passport

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UK Jumbo passport – when do you need one?

Do you know what a UK jumbo passport is? If not, don’t worry. You’re not alone. A UK jumbo passport is simply a passport that is larger than the standard passport size. This type of passport was created for people who have a lot of travel planned in the near future. If you are wondering when you need one, keep reading!

Jumbo passports were introduced in 2007, and have 50 pages compared with the 34 pages of a standard passport.

Here’s what the then Home Office Minister Joan Ryan said about the new jumbo passports when they were introduced:

“ The Identity and Passport Service is now offering frequent travellers the new ‘jumbo’ 50 page passport.

We are a nation of seasoned travellers, and issue more passports than any other country in the world bar the United States.

80% of the UK population now holds a passport, and a record 6.6 million were issued last year alone.

The ‘Jumbo’ will provide a popular alternative to the standard Passport for Brits regularly travelling abroad, be it for work or pleasure. ”

If you are a British citizen or can qualify as a British citizen , you can apply for a UK jumbo passport. The application process is relatively simple and straightforward. Once you have your new passport, you’ll be ready to start planning your next adventure!

Do you need a UK jumbo passport? Read on to find out everything you need to know about these larger-than-life passports!

About MyBritishPassport

Are you based abroad? MyBritishPassport offers hassle-free online British passport applications, renewals and replacements. Avoid delays and have your British passport delivered straight to your door.

Our services include:

• Free Advice from our Expert Team
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• Safe & Secure Payments
• Delivery To Your Doorstep

The procedure that I had to follow was well documented and easy to complete. Brittany B, was my contact in the passport office and was very efficient in communicating the progress of the passport. Another satisfied customer, thank you Brittany.” – Gary Kasza, via Google reviews.  

UK Jumbo Passport Fees

MyBritishPassport offers jumbo passport applications and renewals from the USA/ South America/ Caribbean, Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Asia. Click here to view our jumbo passport pricing.

A 50-page UK jumbo passport is understandably more expensive than a standard 34-page passport as it requires more pages to be printed. The UK jumbo passport is valid for ten years, just like the standard UK passport. If you are a UK citizen and frequently travel outside of the UK, a jumbo passport is definitely worth considering!

MyBritishPassport is here to help you with your UK jumbo passport application. We offer a hassle-free service that takes care of everything for you, from start to finish. Click here to get started on your jumbo passport application today!

How to apply for a UK Jumbo Passport with MyBritishPassport

Applying for a Jumbo passport is simple with MyBritishPassport. Follow the simple process outlined below, and you will have your new, blue jumbo passport in no time.

• Simply complete our easy, online British Passport renewal or application form and make payment on our safe and secure platform.  Click here to get started .
• Our expert team will check your documents and forms, ensure that your passport photos are compliant, and submit your application to the passport office. Your documents are sent to HM Passport Office using our reliable, registered courier service.
• Wait for your new passport to be  delivered to your doorstep  via DHL,  without any delays . The process normally takes 4 to 6 weeks and we keep you updated at all times.

IMPORTANT: Do not make any travel arrangements until you have received your new passport. We can’t accept responsibility for any paid travel arrangements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a jumbo passport uk.

A jumbo passport is a larger, 50-page passport that offers frequent travellers the extra space they need to document their travels. These passports are valid for ten years and cost slightly more than a standard 34-page UK passport.

If you are a UK citizen and frequently travel outside of the UK, a jumbo passport is definitely worth considering!

Who would usually request a jumbo passport?

UK citizens who frequently travel outside of the UK for work or pleasure may request a jumbo passport. This larger, 50-page passport offers ample space to document your travels and is valid for ten years.

Will I get a blue UK passport?

Yes, UK citizens will now receive a blue UK passport regardless of whether they apply for a standard 34-page passport or a larger, 50-page jumbo passport.

MyBritishPassport is here to help you with your jumbo passport application.

Conclusion: UK Jumbo Passport

If you are a UK citizen and frequently travel outside of the UK, a jumbo passport is definitely worth considering! MyBritishPassport offers hassle-free online British passport applications, renewals and replacements. Avoid delays and have your British passport delivered straight to your door.

If you have any questions about jumbo passports, don’t hesitate to contact us below.

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ABOUT MYBRITISHPASSPORT

A member of the U.K.PASSPORTS™ group, MyBritishPassport is the leading international British Passport Service Provider catering to British citizens residing outside of the UK. Since its establishment in 2008, the company has been offering efficient and hassle-free online services for British Passport renewals, replacements, and applications from abroad.

The company has gained a reputation as a leading service provider in the industry, with countless verified five-star reviews from satisfied clients worldwide. This speaks volumes about their excellent service quality.

MyBritishPassport has a highly knowledgeable team of British Passport Consultants who are well-versed in all the requirements of the HM Passport Office. They are continuously updated with the latest rules and regulations governing passport issuance, ensuring that their clients receive the most up-to-date advice and guidance.

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Offering faster entry to the UK

Warning Passport holders from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the United States (opens in a new tab) and also from Singapore and South Korea (opens in a new tab) no longer need to be Registered Traveller members to use e-Passport gates when entering the UK. Therefore we are no longer accepting new membership applications from those countries.

What is the Registered Traveller Service?

Registered Traveller is a membership service which offers faster and more convenient entry at passport control for frequent travellers.

What are the benefits of becoming a Registered Traveller?

Members enjoy faster entry at passport control and the choice of using the:

Members will no longer need to:

• Fill in a landing card
• Undergo an interview
• Have fingerprints taken as a visa holder

Who is eligible to become a Registered Traveller?

• A passport holder of Andorra, Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Vatican City State, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Israel, Macao Special Administrative Region, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Monaco, Nauru, Nicaragua, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Samoa, Seychelles, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Taiwan (passport must have a personal identification number), Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay
• 18 years of age or over (but you can also add your children to your membership after it's approved)
• Hold a valid visa (exclusions are Marriage Visitor visa, Graduate visa, British national overseas - dependants - visa, High Potential Individual visa, Tier 5 Sporting and Creative Concessions, EEA family permits, discretionary leave and leave outside the rules)
• Entertainment or Sports
• Parents with a child in a UK school
• A member of a diplomatic mission
• A medical visitor

An ‘entry’ does not include passing through a UK airport while on the way to another country.

Where is the Registered Traveller Service available?

You can use Registered Traveller at:

• Cardiff International
• East Midlands
• London City
• Paris, Brussels and Lille (Rail Terminals)

How much does it cost to join the Registered Traveller Service?

It costs £70 to apply for the first 12 months membership.

This includes a non-refundable £20 administration fee. Unsuccessful applicants will receive a £50 refund.

The renewal fee for a subsequent year is currently £50.

How do I apply to become a Registered Traveller?

Apply using our online application form

It takes 5 to 10 minutes and you just need your passport details and a credit or debit card to pay.

We will make background checks and contact you within 5 to 10 working days to advise you whether you have been successful and what you need to do next.

I’m a provisional member of Registered Traveller. How do I complete my membership?

Show your passport and evidence of leave to the Border Force officer at the airport (or Paris, Brussels or Lille international rail terminals if you're a visitor or diplomat).

When you arrive at:

• Heathrow join the 'Other passports' lane (or 'Fast Track' if you have a 'Fast Track' ticket)
• Birmingham, Manchester, Gatwick, Bristol, Cardiff International, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London City, Luton, Newcastle, Southend, or Stansted join the 'Other passports' lane

The officer will process your arrival and complete your Registered Traveller membership.

I’m a full member of Registered Traveller. Do I still need to carry my evidence of leave or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) when I use Registered Traveller?

Yes, you’ll still need your evidence of leave or BRP as well as your passport.

My Registered Traveller membership is expiring soon. How do I renew my membership?

We will email you details on how to renew your membership 28 days before your membership expires.

Before you renew your membership, you’ll need to update your passport if any of your details have changed since you last used the service. It costs £20 to update your passport.

How can I contact someone about registered traveller?

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Simple Flying

What is the uk's registered traveller program.

UK Registered Traveller program allows foreign passengers to breeze through passport control similar to UK, EU, and other citizens.

Border control is one of the more tiresome parts of the process for frequent travelers. To ease the pain for some passengers, the UK offers a program known as 'Registered Traveller,' allowing the use of ePassport gates. Here's a look at the process.

Open to some countries

As world borders open up, don't reach out to sign up for Registered Traveller just yet. Tt's essential to understand the eligibility for the program. This is restricted to select nationalities , listed here:

• Africa: Botswana, Namibia, Seychelles
• Asia: Brunei, Hong Kong (SAR passport only), Macao (SAR passport), Malaysia, Maldives, Taiwan (passports with personal ID number)
• Europe: Andorra, Monaco, Vatican
• Middle East: Israel
• North America: Bahamas, Mexico, St. Vincent and Grenadines
• Oceania: Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga
• Central and South America: Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay

To be eligible, passengers must have entered the UK four times in the last 24 months. This does not apply to transiting the airport and must have entered the country, passing the border. Additionally, passengers must also have a UK visa, biometric resident permit (BRP), or entry clearance (such as visa-free access).

Benefits of the program

If you meet the requirements of the program, the Registered Traveller program brings a host of benefits. Those with ePassports, including a chip at the bottom, can use the dedicated ePassport queues at airports around the UK and other ports of entry such as railway stations. In case you do not have a chip, eligible holders can use the UK Passports section at the border, allowing you to reach the front much faster than other passengers.

With Fast Track still suspended at airports due to COVID and staffing shortages, Registered Traveller can mean the difference of hours when clearing the border at busy times. Let's take a look at the application process and cost of the program.

Application steps and price

Applications for Registered Traveller are made online and take ten working days for a response. If successful, you will still need to use the 'other passports' queue the first time to be approved by a border force agent who will recheck eligibility requirements. After that, you are free to use the benefits.

The program costs £70 ($92) for the first 12 months and £50 ($66) for renewal every year. If you are unsuccessful, you will get a £50 ($66) refund for your application. Children can be added for £20 ($26), but traveling with a child means you cannot use an ePassport gate upon entry.

The £50/year fee makes Registered Traveller far more expensive than US' Global Entry program, which only costs $100 for five years and includes TSA PreCheck at all airports. However, for those who fly to the UK often, the convenience of breezing through might be worth it.

What do you think about the UK's Registered Traveller program? Would you sign up? Let us know in the comments!

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Registered Traveller Service FAQs | DavidsonMorris

Anne morris, in this section.

• 9 minute read
• Last updated: 26th November 2019

  Travelling under the Registered Traveller Service offers frequent business travellers a number of benefits.

What is the Registered Traveller Service, who is eligible and how do you apply?  

This article covers:

• What is the Registered Traveller Service (RTS)?

What are the benefits for business travellers?

What are the limitations of the rts, who is eligible for rts membership, how do i apply for rts membership, how do i add a child to my rts membership, how much does rts membership cost, how do i renew my rts membership, tips on faster travel through uk passport control, what is the registered traveller service (rts)/strong>.

The Registered Traveller Service is an effective way of ensuring faster and more convenient entry for frequent travellers through UK passport control. As a member of this service, a registered traveller can benefit from faster entry at both major airports and certain rail terminals by using UK and EU passport entry lanes, as well as the ePassport gates where their passport has a biometric chip.

The Registered Traveller Service can be used at the following airports:

• Cardiff International
• East Midlands
• London City

The Registered Traveller Service can also be used at the following Eurostar terminals:

Depending on the nature of the business trip to the UK, time can often be of the essence. In particular, for frequent business travellers, any delays in getting through UK passport control can provide unwelcome delays in an already hectic schedule.

The Registered Traveller Service is designed to make it easier and more convenient for regular travellers to the UK, including business travellers, to transit through immigration controls at major UK ports of entry.

By using the Registered Traveller Service this will allow you to use UK and EU passport entry lanes or ePassport gates, thereby significantly reducing any wait time to allow you to get on with your working day.

As a registered traveller member, you will no longer need to undergo an interview and/or have fingerprints taken as a visa holder.  

The Registered Traveller Service has a number of limitations, not least in who is eligible to apply for membership under this service. The service is no longer accepting new membership applications from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United States.

In particular, the Registered Traveller Service is now only available to qualifying citizens of certain countries (see below). However, passport holders from these other previously eligible countries no longer need to be registered traveller members to use ePassport gates when entering the UK.

For those applicants that remain eligible for the Registered Traveller Service, another limitation is the cost, namely the initial fee, plus additional fees for renewing or updating membership details.

That said, given the significant saving to be made on time, many employers are more than willing to allow business travellers to expense the RTS membership fee so that their executives and employees have a more seamless transition through the UK border.  

To apply for membership under the Registered Traveller Service, you must satisfy the following eligibility criteria:

• Be aged at least 18 years old
• Be in possession of an eligible passport for specific countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America, South and Central America, and Oceania
• Have a UK visa or entry clearance, where you will need to carry with you your visa or biometric residence permit if you have one Have visited the UK at least 4 times in the last 24 months.

When calculating how many times you have entered the UK in the last 24 months, it counts as visiting if you have entered the UK from any other country, including EU countries. However, you cannot count those occasions on which you are simply passing through the UK en route to another country.

To satisfy the criteria for being in possession of an eligible passport you must be a passport holder from one of the following countries:

• Africa – Botswana, Namibia and the Seychelles
• Asia – Brunei, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region, Malaysia, Maldives, and Taiwan, albeit only for Taiwanese with a personal identification number in their passport
• Europe – Andorra, Monaco and the Vatican City State
• Middle East – Israel
• North America – Bahamas, Mexico, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• South and Central America – Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay
• Oceania – Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga.

To apply for membership under the Registered Traveller Service you will first need to ensure that you are eligible (see above). If so, you will next need to submit an online application that will take around 5-10 minutes. You will need your passport and its expiry date to apply, together with a debit or credit card to pay the relevant fee.

Having submitted your application, the Home Office will carry out background checks and contact you within 5 to 10 working days to advise you whether you have been successful and what you need to do next.

If successful at this stage, you will still need to complete your application at a UK border, ie; the next time you travel to the UK you will need to go through what’s described as the ‘other passports’ lane where an immigration officer will ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria and tell you if you can become an RTS member.

If so, you will be granted membership under the Registered Traveller Service for a period of 12 months. However, your membership will begin on the day you first submitted your application.  

Even where you primarily seek faster entry through UK passport control for the purposes of business travel, you may, on occasions, also want to travel to the UK with your family, or even have your partner and children come to stay with you during the course of a business trip.

As such, you can apply to add a child as a registered traveller, as long as you have at least 29 days or more left on your membership for Registered Traveller Service. However, to be eligible, your child must be aged 17 or under, have an eligible passport and, in circumstances where they are not applying as a visitor, have a visa or entry clearance.

To apply on their behalf you will need your registered traveller number and your child’s passport number and expiry date. You will get a decision on your application within 10 working days.

Once your child has been added, the first time you and your child travel to the UK you must both go through the ‘other passports’ lane together. You may be required to prove the relationship between you and any child travelling with you, for example, if you have different surnames.

You can do this by giving the immigration officer a birth or adoption certificate showing your relationship to the child, or a divorce or marriage certificate if you are the parent but have a different surname to the child. The officer will then confirm your child has been added to your membership, although you will also receive confirmation of this via email within 48 hours.

Once you have added a child to your membership, you can both use the UK and EU passport lanes together, although you will not be able to use the ePassport gates. Your child can also travel with their other parent, as long as that parent is also a member of the Registered Traveller Service. Additionally, in advance of any travel arrangements, you will be required to email the Home Office with the full names and registered traveller numbers for you, your child and the child’s other parent.  

To apply for membership under the Registered Traveller Service you will need to pay a fee of £70. However, this will only provide you with membership as a registered traveller for an initial period of 12 months.

You will also be required to pay a £20 administration fee to apply for each child, together with a membership fee calculated at £2 a month until your membership expires. However, you will be told how much to pay when you apply. You must apply and pay for each child separately.

In the event that your own application is unsuccessful, you will be given a rebate of £50. However, if the application on behalf of any child is rejected, you will not be reimbursed the £20 administration fee.

As set out above, your membership under the Registered Traveller Service will only last for a period of 12 months. The fee for renewing your RTS membership for a further 12 months will be reduced to £50.

The Home Office will usually email you details on how to renew your membership 28 days before it expires, although the onus will be on you to ensure that your membership does not expire.

Your child’s membership will expire at the same time as yours. However, you will need to renew your and your child’s memberships separately. To renew your child’s membership, you will need to sign in with their registered traveller number and date of birth. The fee for renewing their membership will again be calculated at £2 a month until your own membership expires.

In the event that you need to update your passport details under your membership, or those of your child, in circumstances where you or they have been issued with a new passport, you will need to pay a fee of £20. You will also need to ensure that you do this before you travel to the UK. Again, you will need to update your and your child’s memberships separately.

You will also be required to update your details, or your child’s details, if any visa or immigration status changes, although there is no fee to do so here.  

During peak travel periods, such as school holidays or over the festive season, there is typically an increase in the number of travellers coming through the UK border. One way to ensure faster travel through UK passport control, not least where you need to come to the UK for the purposes of business, is to become a member of the Registered Traveller Service.

However, there are also additional ways in which you can help to ensure that you are processed more quickly. In particular, always keep your passport and travel documents on your person, rather than packing these away in your luggage, as you will need to show these on your arrival.

When passing through passport control, remove your passport from its cover and have it open at the photo page and stay together when travelling as a family as the immigration officer may have questions to establish your relationship with any child with whom you have a different surname.

In the event that you are travelling solo as a business traveller, rather than accompanied by your children, you will be able to use the ePassport gates for quicker entry. There are over 250 gates in place at 15 air and rail ports in the UK.

Typically, you will be eligible to use an ePassport gate where you have a biometric symbol on the cover of your passport and you are a member of the Registered Traveller Service. You can also use these gates if you are either a British citizen or a national of an EU country, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland or the United States.

If you use the ePassport gates, you will need to see a Border Force officer before you leave the port to receive a stamp in your passport. As a business traveller, you may need your passport stamped if you are coming to the UK to carry out, for example, permitted paid engagements.

Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.

She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.

Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator , and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals

• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ Work Rights for Migrants with UK Visas
• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ Understanding the EEA: Benefits for UK Citizens
• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ Access to Public Services for UK Migrants
• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ UK Healthcare for Migrants: Access & Rights

About DavidsonMorris

As employer solutions lawyers, DavidsonMorris offers a complete and cost-effective capability to meet employers’ needs across UK immigration and employment law, HR and global mobility .

Led by Anne Morris, one of the UK’s preeminent immigration lawyers, and with rankings in The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners , we’re a multi-disciplinary team helping organisations to meet their people objectives, while reducing legal risk and nurturing workforce relations.

Legal Disclaimer

The matters contained in this article are intended to be for general information purposes only. This article does not constitute legal advice, nor is it a complete or authoritative statement of the law, and should not be treated as such. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct at the time of writing, no warranty, express or implied, is given as to its accuracy and no liability is accepted for any error or omission. Before acting on any of the information contained herein, expert legal advice should be sought.

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General Questions

Children (under 16), social security number requirement, u.s. passport card, 1. i'm renewing my passport. do i get the old one back will i get a new passport number.

Yes. In most cases when you renew by mail, we will return the old passport to you. The old passport may not arrive for up to 8 weeks after you receive your new passport. 

If your old passport has a valid visa, you can still use the valid visa. You must travel with both your new and old passport in this case.

The number on your new passport will be different from the number on your previous passport.

If you have Global Entry, update your  Trusted Traveler account  with your new passport information. 

2. My address changed. Do I need to update my passport?

Do not contact us if your address changed  after  you receive your passport.

Contact us only if your mailing address changed while you are waiting for your passport.

Call us at  1-877-487-2778  (or  1-888-874-7793  if you are deaf or hard of hearing)

3. I already applied and need my passport sooner than I thought. What can I do?

Call us at  1-877-487-2778  (or  1-888-874-7793  if you are deaf or hard of hearing). You’ll need either your application number or your last name and date of birth.

• Get expedited service for $60. 
• Get 1-2 day delivery of your completed passport book for $19.53. One-to-two day delivery is not available for passport cards. We only send cards via First Class Mail.

4. Do I need 6 months of validity on my passport to travel?

If you are age 16 or older, your passport is valid for 10 years. Your child's passport (age 0-15) is valid for 5 years.

Some countries require that your passport have at least six months of validity beyond the dates of your trip . Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met. 

Check our  Country Information page  to learn how long your passport needs to be valid.  

To learn about returning to the United States after your travel, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's website .

5. How long does it take to get a passport?

Go to our  Processing Times page  for more information.

6. How will you send my passport and supporting documents?

You will get multiple mailings. The number of mailings depends on what document(s) you asked for.

Passport Book : You may get your new passport and citizenship documents in two mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after getting your passport before you get a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We will return the passport book using a trackable delivery service.

Passport Card : You may get your new passport card and your citizenship documents in two mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after getting your passport before you get a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We only send the passport card via First Class Mail. We do not send cards using 1-2 day delivery services.

Both a Passport Book and Card : You may get three separate mailings:

• New passport book
• New passport card
• Citizenship documents

Contacting Us : If you have been waiting more than 8 weeks for your documents, call us at  1-877-487-2778  to report that you have not received your documents. 

If you want us to reimburse you for a lost supporting document, you must contact us within 90 days of the date which we mailed your passport. You will also need to provide a receipt to show the cost of replacing the document. 

7. I am recently married or divorced. How do I change my name on my passport?

For more information, go to our  Change or Correct a Passport page . 

If you are changing your name within one year of the date your passport was issued, complete  Form DS-5504 .   

If you are changing your name over a year after your passport was issued, complete  Form DS-82 . 

8. I am traveling very soon. How do I get a passport quickly?

Go to our  Get My Passport Fast page  for information on expediting your application, or making an appointment at a passport agency or center.

If you have a life-or-death emergency, go to our  Life-or-Death Emergency page  to see if you qualify for an appointment. 

9. How much does a U.S. passport cost?

The cost of your passport depends on how fast you need it, and if you want a passport book, passport card, or both documents.

Go to our  Passport Fees page  for more information on how much to pay, and what forms of payment we accept. 

10. How do I get the status of my application?

Enroll in emails using the  Online Passport Status System . Learn about what each update means on our Application Status webpage .

11. My passport has already been issued and mailed to me, but I have not received it. What do I do?

If you have waited over two weeks since we mailed your passport, call us at  1-877-487-2778  (or  1-888-874-7793  if you are deaf or hard of hearing).

We will help you complete a special form (known as the  DS-86 form ) which is a signed statement that you didn't receive your U.S. passport.

You must complete the DS-86 form within 90 days of the date we issued your passport. After 90 days, you must reapply and pay all fees, by law.

12. My passport has been damaged. Can I continue to use this passport?

If your passport is damaged, apply for a new passport. Replace your passport if there is:

• Water damage
• A significant tear
• Unofficial markings on the data page
• Missing visa pages (torn out)
• A hole punch

Do not replace your passport if there is normal "wear and tear" which includes:

• The bend of a passport after being carried in your back pocket
• Fanning of the visa pages after lots of opening and closing

If you need to replace your damaged passport, submit:

• The damaged passport;
• A signed statement explaining the damaged or mutilated condition of your passport book and/or card; 
• Form DS-11  (including supporting documents, photo, and fees)

13. How many blank visa pages do I need, and can I add pages to my passport book?

Some countries require that your passport has two to four blank visa or stamp pages. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met.

You cannot add visa pages to a current passport book. If you need more pages, you must renew your passport book.

On your passport form, select the option for a "large book" so you can get a passport book with extra visa pages. 

14. Can I use a passport to fly in the United States?

Yes. The U.S. passport book and passport card are alternatives to a state-issued REAL ID and can be used for domestic flights. 

According to the  Department for Homeland Security , residents of all states will soon have to use a Real ID compliant ID for domestic air travel. Not sure if your state’s driver’s license and ID are Real ID compliant? Check  your state’s status . For a complete list of acceptable forms of identification to fly in the United States, visit REAL ID . 

15. Can I get a second passport book?

Yes, but only if you have a valid U.S. passport book and you meet several  requirements. Learn more to see if you are eligible .

16. I got a letter in the mail or an email about my application. What should I do?

We sent you a letter or email because we need more information from you to continue processing your passport. Go to our  Respond to a Letter or Email page  for more information.

17. Who should have a valid U.S. passport?

You should have a U.S. passport if: 

• You have family living or traveling abroad,
• You are thinking about a vacation abroad, or
• You have a job that could require international travel.

18. My new passport book has a QR code sticker on the back. What is it for?

These stickers give you easy access to important passport and travel information on our website.

• If you scan the code using your mobile device, it will link you to our website. If you do not wish to scan the code, you can also access the information on our  After I Get My Passport page .
• Is the same on all passport books
• Does not have personally identifiable information, and
• Does not change the way border officials and airlines review your document.
• We are not placing QR code stickers on passport cards. 
• You may remove the sticker. We recommend keeping it on so you have quick and easy access to our website.

2. What should I do if one parent or guardian cannot apply in person?

• Both parents or guardians must approve that we can issue a passport to a child, and go with the child to apply in person.
• If one or both parents or guardians cannot apply in person with their child, you will need to show more documents.

Important : Submit  Form DS-3053  and other notarized statements within three months of signing them.

3. Can I renew my child's passport?

No. You cannot renew your child's passport using Form DS-82. If your child is under age 16 , your child must appear in person with you and the child's other parent or guardian. You must submit your child's Form DS-11 at a passport acceptance facility, or a passport agency or center.

1. Do I have to provide my social security number on my passport application?

Yes. Federal law requires that you provide your social security number, if you have one.

If you do not provide the information, your passport application will be delayed and your application may be denied. You will also be subject to a $500 penalty enforced by the Internal Revenue Service. ( 26 U.S.C. 6039E ). 

Contact the  Social Security Administration  for information about getting a social security number and card.

2. What if I or my children don’t have a social security number?

Submit a signed and dated statement. You must include the statement with the application, and include this text:

“I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the following is true and correct:  I (or my child) have never been issued a social security number by the Social Security Administration.”

1. What is the passport card?

The U.S. passport card is a wallet-sized, plastic passport that has no visa pages. The card is proof of U.S. citizenship and identity, and has the same length of validity as the passport book.  

The card is for U.S. citizens who travel by land and sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and Caribbean countries.

The card is  not valid for international travel by air  and is cheaper than the passport book.

You can apply for either the book or card, or both documents.  

2. How do I apply for a passport card?

You can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same time using the same application. When completing your form, let us know if you would like to apply for one or both documents. 

If you're renewing both your passport book and passport card, you must provide both documents. If you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot renew the passport card using Form DS-82.

3. Can I get a passport card if I already have a passport book?

Yes. If you already have a passport book and   you are eligible to use Form DS-82, you may apply for a passport card by mail as a "renewal" even if it is your first passport card.

You can do the same and apply for your first passport book by mail as a "renewal" if you already have a passport card.

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• Society and culture
• Equality, rights and citizenship
• Applying for a passport from outside the UK: how to fill in the application form
• HM Passport Office

Applying for a passport from outside the UK: guidance notes (accessible)

Updated 18 May 2022

© Crown copyright 2022

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: [email protected] .

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overseas-passports-guidance/applying-for-a-passport-from-outside-the-uk-guidance-notes-accessible

Please don’t book travel until you’ve received your new passport, as we can’t accept responsibility for any travel that you book. To avoid delays, we’ll need a fully completed form, 2 suitable photos, the right documents and fee.

• This guidance is for British applicants from certain countries applying for a passport from outside the UK, using the OS application form.
• Don’t book travel or visas until you have your passport.
• We cannot accept responsibility for travel you book before it arrives. We do our best, but cannot guarantee to return your passport within a certain time.
• Go to www.gov.uk/overseas-passports to find out how long it is likely to take for your passport to arrive.
• We do not send form or document acknowledgements.
• If you want to check progress with your application, please leave at least 4 weeks from when you submitted your application before contacting us. For some countries this may be longer, please check the guidance at www.gov.uk/overseas-passports
• If there isn’t enough space in the boxes provided please use section 8 of the application form to give us full details.
• Give us an email address and telephone number so we can contact you quickly if needed. This will help us to continue with your application.
• To make sure our emails don’t get missed, check your spam or junk folder regularly, or adjust your spam filter settings.
• We will contact you on your mobile phone number if we have any queries about delivery

Additional support is available for anyone who has a disability. Find out more about the services we offer and how to access them at www.gov.uk/passport-services-disabled

Top tips before you fill in your form

• Complete your paper form in CAPITAL LETTERS and BLACK BIRO only.
• Don’t write outside the white boxes or outside the signature borders.

If you make a mistake, cross it out. Don’t use correction fluid. If you make more than 3 mistakes on any line or don’t provide a clear signature in sections 6 or 9, you will need to fill out a new form.

If your form needs countersigning, your countersignatory must also write in the white boxes and sign within the signature box at section 10.

Section 1: Which type of passport do you need and sections to complete

Read the information in this section to find out which type of passport you need to apply for and what sections you need to fill in. There are 5 different types of application.

• The Child box is for under 16s
• The Adult box is for those 16 or over and those turning 16 within the next 3 weeks
• Adult passports are normally valid for 10 years and child passports are normally valid for 5 years

This applies if:

• your existing British passport isn’t damaged AND
• your name, date of birth, place of birth, gender, appearance and nationality hasn’t changed AND
• you aren’t renewing a passport that is handwritten. If you are renewing a handwritten passport, see First British Passport

Section 10 must be completed for:

• all children aged 11 or under
• everyone who is not recognisable from their previous passport photo.

The countersignatory must complete section 10 and correctly certify one of your photos. See countersignatory section .

Sections to complete

First british passport.

This applies if you:

• have never had a British passport before
• were included as a child on someone else’s passport
• are renewing a passport that is handwritten
• have become a British national by naturalisation or registration

Section 10 must be completed for: all adult and child applications.

Replacement

• you want to replace a British passport that has been lost, stolen or damaged

Section 10 must be completed for: all adult and child applications

The countersignatory must complete section 10 and correctly certify one of your photos. See countersignatory section

This applies if you want to change your current British passport. You’re changing:

• your name, date of birth, place of birth, gender or nationality
• your photo (including where you cannot be recognised from your current passport photo)

This applies if your last passport was issued for one year or less.

Need a 50-page frequent traveller passport?

A standard passport is 34 pages. If you are a frequent traveller and need extra space for visas, select ‘50-page passport’ on the application form. 50-page frequent traveller passports cost more than a 34-page passport.

Need a Braille sticker on your new passport?

If you or the applicant has eyesight difficulties and need a Braille sticker put on the new passport, put a ‘X’ in the ‘Braille’ box.

Section 2: Who is the passport for?

• The name you enter on the form should fully match your previous British passport or the documents you send us. For example your birth or adoption certificate, marriage certificate, nationality certificate.
• If there isn’t enough space in the boxes provided please use section 8 of the application form to give us your full name.

Names to be shown on your passport

• We can add a limited number of titles to your British passport if you ask. See GOV.UK for details .
• Please give the name of the person who the passport is for under ‘surname’ and ‘first and middle names’
• The name that is shown on the passport should be the name that you use for all purposes – that is, the name on your new passport should match the name that appears on your supporting documents (such as your birth certificate or previous passport). If you’re a dual national and hold a non-British passport in a different name, you must change it to match the name you want on your British passport. You must do this before you make your application.
• We can only show up to 30 characters (including spaces) on your passport for first and middle names and a further 30 characters for surnames. If your names don’t fit in the boxes provided, shorten them in a way you would want them to be shown on your passport. You should then write your full name in section 8 of the form. We will add your full name on the observation page in your passport.
• If you have changed your name, enter your name as it is now.

Change of name in passport

• If you are changing your name, put your new name in the ‘surname’ and ‘first and middle names’ boxes and put your previous names in the ‘maiden or all previous names’ boxes.
• If you no longer want your middle name to be included in your new passport when it has been on previous passports, tell us in section 8 of the application form and provide evidence of the change. See the change of name table for details. If you don’t, we will add your name to match what is in your previous passport.
• If you spell your name differently, change the order of your names or add a new name compared to what is in your previous passport, then you will need to provide evidence of the name change. See the change of name table for more details.
• Provide proof of your change of name if this is different from your supporting documents. Send proof to support every name change. This applies if you are getting married or forming a civil partnership and you want your passport to be in your new name. See the change of name table for more details.
• List all of your maiden or previous names that you have been known by (surname first then first and middle names). Leave a space between each name. If they won’t fit in the boxes, you should write them in full in section 8.
• You cannot change a child’s name unless you have the permission of everyone who has parental responsibility for the child. Please see section 9 on parental responsibility for more information.

Current address

• Give your full residential address (where you live) including state or province, and postcode (where applicable).
• We may check you live at the address you give. If you don’t, it may delay your application unless you explain the circumstances in section 8 of the form.
• We won’t normally return your passport to an address that is different from your current address. If you want it delivered to a different address, please explain why and give the other address in section 8. We may contact you for evidence of your connection to that address.
• If you live in a country where we deliver directly to your address please ensure there is someone available to sign for receipt of the passport and documents.
• Put a cross in the relevant box to say whether the person the passport is for is male or female.
• If you are transgender (live as a different gender to that shown on your birth certificate) or if you have changed or are in the process of changing your gender, you can get more guidance at www.gov.uk/changing-passport-information

Date of birth

• Give your date of birth as shown on your birth, registration or naturalisation certificate or previous British passport

Place of birth

• Give the names of the town and country you were born in as shown on your birth, registration or naturalisation certificate or previous British passport.

Contact details

We recommend you give us a mobile phone number, so we can send you a text message when we receive your form and when your passport is being printed. Our courier may also use it to help deliver your passport faster.

• Please give as many contact details as possible and make sure the information is accurate as we may need to contact you about your application. If you don’t include an email address and mobile phone number, it may delay your application.
• To make sure our emails don’t get missed in your spam folder, check your spam or junk folder regularly, or adjust your spam filter settings.
• We will contact you on your mobile phone number if we have any queries about delivery.

Section 3: Details of previous and current passports held

Everyone must fill in section 3A.

Uncancelled passports

In part B, enter details of all uncancelled passports that you are sending us. A British cancelled passport has the top right-hand corner of the cover cut off. An uncancelled passport has not been cancelled by its issuing authority (British or another country). This may include:

• an expired passport (one that has run out)
• passports you are or were included on (for example, as a child), and
• passports issued to you by other countries

Lost or stolen

We strongly recommend you report your passport as lost or stolen as soon as possible to prevent someone misusing your passport and your identity. Do this online at www.gov.uk/report-a-lost-or-stolen-passport . You can ask a trusted friend or relative to help you. The sooner you report it, the sooner you will be protected against the passport being misused. If your passport has been lost or stolen, but you haven’t reported it yet, fill in part C. Give us as many details as you can and tell us how the passport was lost or stolen. Please use section 8 if there is not enough space in the boxes provided. If your passport was stolen, report the theft to the local police and include the crime reference number at section 8. We will cancel your lost or stolen passport when we receive your application. If you later find the passport which you reported lost or stolen, you must return it to us. You will no longer be able to use the passport. You may be held by the immigration authorities or the police if you try to do so. For security reasons, any passport which is found should be returned to us or to a third party such as the Police so it can be returned to us for cancellation.

Section 4: Parent’s details

You need to fill in this section if:

• the passport is for someone under 16
• you are applying for your first adult passport
• you are applying to replace a passport that has been lost, stolen or damaged
• you are applying to extend your passport

Give all the details for both parents of the person named at section 2 of the application form.

For nationality purposes parents are defined in law as ‘mother’ and ‘father’. Nationality by birth cannot always be gained through either parent’s national status. This includes parents who are of the same sex. Because of this, it is important that the ‘mother’ and ‘father’ are entered in the correct boxes.

If either parent was born on or after 1 January 1983, or were born outside the UK, please give the following details in section 8 of the application form. Either:

• the full name, town, country of birth and date of marriage of your mother’s or parent 1’s parents and your father’s or parent 2’s parents, or
• details of your parents’ claim to British nationality.

If your ‘mother’ is married to someone else (not your biological father) at the time of your birth your ‘biological father’ is not your ‘father’ for nationality purposes. Please see gov.uk for more information.

Step-parents and others taking a parental role that are not defined as either a ‘mother’ or a ‘father’ for nationality purposes must not fill in their details in section 4.

When a child is adopted in the UK, British nationality can be gained through either parent. If adoptive parents are of the same sex, the parent who appears first on the adoption certificate should enter their details in the box ‘mother or parent 1’ and the parent named second on the adoption certificate should enter their details in the box ‘father or parent 2’ regardless of sex

Children conceived through sperm donation

If your child was conceived through sperm donation and born in the UK, you should complete the form in the normal way. You do not need to tell us your child was conceived through sperm donation. If the parents are of the same sex, the mother who gave birth should enter their details in the box ‘mother or parent 1’ and the parent named second on the child’s birth certificate should enter their details in the box ‘father or parent 2’. If your child was conceived through sperm donation and born outside the UK see GOV.UK for information on what documents you’ll need to send.

When a child is born of a surrogacy arrangement and a parental order has been granted in the UK after 6 April 2010, nationality can be taken through either parent named on the order. Where these parents are of the same sex, the parent who appears first on the parental order should enter their details in the box ‘mother or parent 1’ and the parent named second on the parental order should enter their details in the box ‘father or parent 2’. Where a child is born as a result of a surrogacy arrangement outside the UK to a man and a woman and a passport is being sought before a parental order has been granted, the child may have an automatic claim to British nationality as long as:

(a) the child is biologically related to the British father and,

(b) the British father is not British by descent and,

(c) the birth mother is not married at the time of the birth.

If the child is biologically related to the father but he is British by descent and/or the birth mother is married at the time of the birth, the commissioning surrogate parents must seek to register the child as a British Citizen before applying for a passport for the child. The child will not be British until this step is taken. For further information on entering into surrogacy arrangements in foreign countries please visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/surrogacy-overseas

It may be possible to apply for a passport before a parental order has been granted. Passport applications involving surrogacy are often highly complex and we may need to ask for further documentation or to talk to you in person after you have sent us your application. Please allow a lot more time than our average processing times or such applications to be processed – we recommend submitting an application involving surrogacy at least 4 months before you need the passport. We are not in a position to guarantee a specific processing time for these cases.

No mention of parent’s details or ‘mother or parent 1’ and ‘father or parent 2’ will appear on the passport. This information is used simply to gather the information we need to issue a passport.

Child with one parent

If you are the only parent of your child, fill in either the ‘Mother or Parent 1’ or ‘Father or Parent 2’ sections of the form, whichever applies to you and leave the spaces for an additional parent blank. Add a note in section 8 to show that you are the only parent and why (whether you do not know the other parent of the child, are an individual adopter, or an individual parent whose child was conceived through sperm donation and so on).

For more information on the circumstances in which nationality is decided please visit GOV.UK

Section 5: Certificate of registration or naturalisation

• You must put a cross in the ‘No’ or ‘Yes’ box if you are applying for your first British passport
• You must put a cross in the ‘No’ or ‘Yes’ box if you are changing your national status to British citizen
• Don’t include birth/adoption certificate or passport details in this section

The ‘No’ box applies if the person named in section 2 has not applied to the Home Office to become a British Citizen through registration or naturalisation. A registration or naturalisation certificate is only issued by the Home Office when the applicant has satisfied all legislation requirements. Put a ‘X’ in the ‘No’ box. The Yes box applies if the person named in section 2 applied to the Home Office to become a British Citizen through registration or naturalisation. If the Home Office granted British citizenship the Home Office will have issued a certificate of registration or naturalisation. Put a ‘X’ in the ‘Yes’ box and give certificate details.

Section 6: Children aged 12 to 15

A child aged 12 to 15, or a child who will turn 12 within the next 3 weeks, needs to sign this declaration.

A date must be put in the date section. A person with parental responsibility must sign the declaration at section 9 of the form.

If your child is not able to sign the form, you should:

• leave this section blank, and
• use section 8 or send a covering letter confirming why the child cannot sign. This can be written by the parent or the child’s carer or doctor.

Don’t write in this section. This area is intentionally blank.

Section 8: More information

Most people don’t need to fill in this section. The sections below show when you should give us extra information using this section.

• Names that you were not able to fit in the boxes in section 2.
• If you have changed your name as a result of getting married, but you want to continue to use your maiden name for professional purposes, you should make a statement in section 8 of the application form and we will add a note on the observation page of your passport showing your maiden name.
• to keep an observation in your new passport.
• Tell us why you need to have your passport sent to another address and give us the other address

Damaged passport

• If your passport is damaged, explain briefly how it was damaged.

Parental responsibility

• You must disclose and give us any court orders relating to the child, which might impact the passport application.

If you have a disability

• If you have a disability that means you can’t meet the passport photo requirements. Please include a letter from your doctor, and tell us if it’s a permanent or temporary disability.
• If you have a mental or physical condition that would prevent you from taking part in an identity interview. Please include a letter from your doctor, and tell us if it’s a permanent or temporary condition.
• If a signature could not be provided in section 6 or 9, tell us in section 8 and include a letter of explanation from an appropriate person such as a parent (for section 6) or a doctor, carer or social worker. They will need to sign the application on your behalf.
• Your Typetalk phone number or your preferred method of communication if you are blind or partially sighted (for example, by phone or in large print).

Grandparents and surrogacy details

• Grandparents’ details if both parents named in section 4 were born after 1 January 1983 or were born abroad.
• If the applicant was born of a surrogacy arrangement.

Note: Please give full name(s), date of birth, and place of birth in addition to any British passport details; for example a British passport number and its place of issue. If grandparents were ever married, we will also need to know their date of marriage for nationality purposes

British National (Overseas) passport

If you are applying for a British National (Overseas) Passport you should enter the number of your Hong Kong permanent identity card and enclose a colour photocopy with your application.

Section 9: Declaration

• Before you fill in and sign the declaration, read the form again to make sure that the information you have given is correct.
• your own passport
• a passport for the child named in section 2
• someone who cannot sign, and you are signing on their behalf.
• Read points 1 to 9 in the declaration section of the form before you sign and date the form
• If you are applying for a child, give your full name and relationship to the child

People applying aged 16 and over If you are 16 and over, or you will turn 16 within 3 weeks, sign the declaration yourself. You don’t need permission from a person with parental responsibility. Your ‘adult’ passport can’t be issued before you turn 16.

For applicants with a learning disability who cannot understand the consequences of signing the declaration in section 9, someone with parental responsibility should give their permission. Please use section 8 of the form to explain why the applicant cannot sign the declaration.

A child under 16 must have permission from a person with parental responsibility. The mother automatically has parental responsibility for her child from birth, and can give permission, providing the court has not taken parental responsibility away.

The father can give permission if he:

• was married to the mother at the time of the child’s birth (or, for those living in Scotland, when the mother became pregnant)
• was married to the mother at any time after the child’s birth
• has a parental responsibility order or agreement (which must be sent with the application)
• has a child arrangements order which grants parental responsibility (this must be sent with the application), or
• is named on the birth certificate (this must be sent with the application) and the birth was jointly registered on or after: − 15 April 2002 in Northern Ireland − 1 December 2003 in England and Wales, or − 4 May 2006 in Scotland.

For children born to female same-sex partners who conceived through sperm donation, the second female parent can give permission if she:

• was married or in a civil partnership at the time of the child’s conception and consented to the conception

If the child’s parent is under 16 , they can sign the declaration on behalf of the child.

If a child has been adopted , either adoptive parent can give permission.

If parents are divorced , a child arrangements order or maintenance order will not automatically take away the parent’s parental responsibility.

If a child has been born of a surrogacy arrangement , either parent named on the parental order or birth certificate can give permission. If the application is made before the parental order is granted, the rules are more complex. Please contact us for guidance if this applies to you.

Step-parents (adults who enter into a marriage or civil partnership with someone who is already defined as a parent as explained above) can give permission, only if they have parental responsibility by a parental responsibility order, a child arrangements order giving parental responsibility or parental responsibility agreement.

If the child is in care or is living with foster parents , we will need permission from the local authority before we can issue a passport to the child. For separate guidance notes for social services, please visit www.gov.uk/ government/publications

If the court has made an order about who the child should live with, or about the child having a passport, this must be sent in with the application. If someone has made an objection to the child having the passport, we may refuse to issue the passport.

If an adult is acting as a parent in a situation other than one described in this section, please explain the circumstances in a letter with your application. We will also need documentary proof of your responsibility for the child.

If we have already issued a passport to a child after an application has been made by one parent, the other parent or anyone else with parental responsibility cannot apply for a separate passport for that child. If you cannot sign the application form:

• get someone else to sign on your behalf, and
• tell us in section 8 and include a covering letter to explain why you cannot sign. This is normally done by the person filling in the application form on your behalf. Your passport will note that the holder does not have to sign.
• For more advice or if the person with parental responsibility is not able to give permission please see [ways to contact us](#contact}.

Section 10: Countersignature

Countersignatories.

A ‘countersignatory’ will need to fill in this section if you are applying:

• for a first British passport
• to replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport
• renew a child passport (if the child is aged 11 or under)
• to renew a passport (adult, or child aged 12 to 15 years) if you cannot be recognised from the photograph in your current passport
• to extend a passport

A countersignatory is someone who can confirm your identity. They need to confirm that, to the best of their knowledge, the details you have given in your application are correct, and they must also confirm that the photo is of you. For child applications (aged under 16) it is also to confirm that they have known, for at least 2 years, the adult who signed the declaration in section 9 of the application form. They must also confirm that the person has parental responsibility for the child and confirm the child’s photo is a true likeness.

The countersignatory must:

• have known you personally for at least 2 years (for example, a friend, neighbour or colleague, and not someone who is related to you or only knows you professionally)
• be a professional person (please see occupations for countersignatories
• live in the UK, and
• hold a British or Irish passport which has not run out.

The countersignatory needs to:

• read through the completed application form to make sure the information is accurate
• fill in section 10 of the form, giving their passport number, and then sign the box
• give their full address and contact details. This can be a business address or home address, but should be one that we can contact them at. The countersignatory can give an email address on a separate piece of paper if this is more convenient.
• for an adult application, ‘certify’ one (not both) of your photos by writing on the reverse “I certify that this is a true likeness of ——————, [signature], [Date]”
• for a child application (under 16), confirm that they have known the adult who signed the declaration in section 9 of the form for at least 2 years, and certify one photo (giving the child’s full name) by writing on the reverse “I certify that this is a true likeness of ——————, [signature], [Date]”
• put their initials next to any mistakes they may make in section 10.

The countersignatory must not:

• be related to you by birth or marriage (including in-laws or partners of family members)
• be in a personal relationship with you
• live at your address, or
• work for us at HM Passport Office.

What we do with the details of the countersignatory

As part of our work we will check that the countersignatory is genuine. This may include checking their passport and other records to confirm their identity and their profession or professional qualification.

Please make sure that your countersignatory knows that we may contact them and carry out these checks.

We may ask you to provide another application form with a different countersignatory if we are not satisfied with your choice of countersignatory or if we cannot contact them.

Accepted occupations for countersignatories

Your countersignatory must either:

• work in (or be retired from) a recognised profession
• be ‘a person of good standing in their community’

Recognised professions

Examples of recognised professions include:

• articled clerk of a limited company
• assurance agent of recognised company
• bank/building society official
• chairman/director of limited company chiropodist
• councillor, eg local or county
• civil servant (permanent)
• director/manager/personnel officer of a VAT
• registered company
• engineer – with professional qualifications
• financial services intermediary, eg a stockbroker or insurance broker
• fire service official
• funeral director
• insurance agent (full time) of a recognised company
• legal secretary – fellow or associate member of the Institute of Legal Secretaries and Pas
• holder of a valid premises or personal licence under the Licensing Act
• local government officer
• manager/personnel officer of a limited company
• member, associate or fellow of a professional body
• Member of Parliament
• Merchant Navy officer
• minister of a recognised religion – including Christian Science
• nurse – RGN or RMN
• officer of the armed services
• paralegal – certified paralegal, qualified paralegal or associate member of the Institute of Paralegals
• person with honours, eg an OBE or MBE
• photographer – professional
• police officer
• Post Office official
• president/secretary of a recognised organisation
• Salvation Army officer
• social worker
• teacher, lecturer
• trade union officer
• travel agent – qualified
• valuer or auctioneer – fellows and associate members of the incorporated society
• Warrant Officers and Chief Petty Officers

People who aren’t accepted

Your countersignatory can’t:

• work for HM Passport Office
• be a doctor or General Practitioner (GP), unless they state that they know you well (eg good friend) and that they recognise you easily from your photo

You can find more information at www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications

Documents you need to send us, including photos

You must check supporting documents guidance . Your application will be delayed if you do not send us all the right documents.

All applications need:

2 recent identical photos (which meet photo guidelines – see photo guidance )

Your last British passport or any valid passports that were issued in another country.

Change of name

If you have changed your name since the issue of your last British passport to get your passport in a new name you will need to send us documents that show the name change. If you are applying for your first British passport and have changed your name from birth, you will need to send us documents that show your name change. See page 16 for more information.

Avoid delays

• Send us original or replacement documents. Unless stated, we do not accept photocopies or documents that have been laminated. If you were born in the UK, documents must have been issued by the General Register Office for England and Wales or Scotland or Northern Ireland, or the local registration service.
• If you need to send a UK birth certificate and were born on or after 01/01/1983: it must be a full birth certificate. (This is the one that contains the details of both you and your parents.)
• If any document you are providing is in a language other than English or Welsh, also provide an official translation. This must be signed and stamped by a translator who is a member of a recognised professional organisation to prove it is genuine.
• We can’t accept damaged documents. You’ll need to send us a replacement document.

Replacement certificates

• To get copies of birth, marriage or death certificates issued in England or Wales, go to www.gov.uk/bmdcertificates
• To replace documents issued in Northern Ireland, go to www.nidirect.gov.uk and for Scotland go to www.nrscotland.gov.uk
• To replace documents issued abroad, get advice from the relevant embassy or consulate of that country.

We may contact you for more information if you don’t provide original documents.

Once we have considered your application, we may still need to ask you for more information.

Change of name table

You will have either changed your name from birth or have changed your name since the issue of your British passport. To get your passport in a new name you will need to send us documents that show the name change.

Have you changed your name by marriage or civil partnership?

If ‘yes’, send:

• 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
• 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

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
• at least one piece of evidence from List B

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?

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

Are you changing your name following gender re-assignment?

• Gender recognition certificate
• a new birth or adoption certificate showing your acquired gender

Or alternatively a letter from your doctor or medical consultant together with:

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

Are you changing your name for any other reason?

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
• 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

Once you’ve filled in your application

Passport fee.

The passport fee when applying from outside the UK depends on the type of application you are making. The fee is set in pounds sterling and payable at the time of applying. You will have to pay a courier fee to cover the cost of the return of your new passport and supporting documents. In some countries where you have to apply in person, the courier fee will cover the cost of forwarding your application to the UK for processing and the cost of returning the new passport to a local office, for you to collect. We cannot usually refund the fee if your application is unsuccessful or withdrawn. This is because we will already have carried out a lot of work in processing it.

Passport Ownership

The passport remains the property of the Crown at all times and can be cancelled at any time. If payment is unsuccessful we will cancel the passport and you will not be able to travel with it or use it for identity purposes.

For information on passport fees visit www. gov.uk/overseas-passports If you were born on or before 2 September 1929, you don’t have to pay for a standard 34- page passport. The passport and delivery to you will be free of charge.

You must pay in pounds sterling by credit card or debit card using the payment instruction form which you can download from www.gov.uk/ overseas-passports. The cards we accept are Mastercard, Visa, Electron, Diners Club and JCB.

Where to send

For details of where to send your application visit www.gov.uk/overseas-passports In some countries you will have to apply in person. For specific advice on where you need to go and what you need to bring with you visit www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

Delivery information Your new passport and supporting documents will be returned to you separately. Our courier will aim to deliver packages direct to customers. You should ensure that up to date, correct contact details are included in the passport application form. In some countries you will have to collect your new passport from a local office. For specific advice on where you need to go and what you need to bring with you visit www.gov.uk/ overseas-passports If our courier has got your package you can track it, or find full delivery information at: www.logistics.dhl/gb-en/hmpo If you need to have your passport and supporting documents delivered to the UK please contact the Passport Adviceline for further information.

• take responsibility for applications and supporting documentation which go missing on their way to us. We can only take responsibility once we have received the application and supporting documents into our care. Proof of posting is not proof of delivery.
• replace any documents that you report as missing 6 months after we have issued the passport; or
• accept responsibility for passports and supporting documents which are not delivered if you quote an incorrect address or do not tell

If you need to contact us you will need to give us the barcode number from the front of your application form.

We will need to ask you personal information to verify your identity when you contact us to check the progress of your application form.

Passport advice

• For advice or to get a large print, Braille or audio version of this booklet, please call the passport adviceline on 0300 222 0000. (Calls to this number will be charged at the normal rate you pay for national calls.)
• Textphone on 0300 222 0222 or Text Relay on 18001 0300 222 0000 (for customers who are deaf or hard of hearing).

Travel advice

Travel advice is provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. For detailed, up-to-date information:

• visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Advice includes information on when a passport is valid, visa information and requirements to enter certain countries, and information on health, insurance, and money when you travel.

Other information

Protecting your personal information.

Your identity and personal information are valuable. We protect your privacy and process your personal information in line with data protection legislation including the General Data Protection Regulation. Your personal information will only be seen by those who have a legitimate reason for seeing it. We will check the information you give us with other government departments and a credit-reference agency to help us check your identity. We may also pass the information you give us to UK law enforcement agencies or government departments involved in preventing fraud to help prevent or detect identity theft, fraud or other criminal activity. You can find details about the personal information we hold, how we protect it, who we pass it to and how you can get a copy of that information and other rights in our Privacy Information Notice (PIN) on our website. You may be contacted by HM Passport Office for additional information or to ask you about our service at a later stage. For more information or to find out how to opt out please visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/hmpoprivacy-information-notice . You can get a printed copy of the information by writing to us at:

Disclosure of Information Section HM Passport Office Aragon Court Northminster Road Peterborough PE1 1QG

Service standards

Providing a high level of service to all our customers is very important to us. We sometimes make mistakes, or circumstances beyond our control affect the standards of service. When this happens, we will apologise and do everything we can to put things right. We welcome your feedback on any aspect of our service, including how we can improve in the future. We have a disability equality scheme which sets out clear and specific aims about how we will promote equal opportunities for people with disabilities. Your views are important to us, please contact us by phone, letter, or email if you have any ideas or suggestions to help us improve.

What you can expect from us:

• our staff will be polite, helpful and professional.
• the details in your passport (including the chip) will be correct and we will return your supporting documents using the delivery method you choose.
• we will give you a clear and helpful explanation if you are refused a British passport because of citizenship or other reasons.

Complaints about passports

If you have a complaint about how we handled your passport application, please contact our Customer Service Management Team by phone, in writing or by using our online enquiry form.

If you have followed step one and are not satisfied with our response, you can ask us to review your complaint.

If you have followed steps one and two and are still not satisfied, you may ask your Member of Parliament (MP) to raise the matter with our Director General.

If you are still not satisfied, you can ask your MP to request an investigation by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (the Ombudsman). You can only do this through your MP. The Ombudsman’s role is to investigate complaints by members of the public about the way government departments, and their executive agencies, have treated them.

Compensation

We realise that sometimes our mistakes may cause you expense or financial loss. In these cases, you should follow the instructions in step one and write us a letter. With the letter you should send any documents that prove your claim (for example, a receipt to show a cancelled flight). We only normally offer compensation for financial loss as a result of delays in our guaranteed (Fast-track and Premium) services.

Phone: 0300 222 0000

Textphone: 0300 222 0222

Text Relay: 18001 0300 222 0000

HM Passport Office PO Box 767 SOUTHPORT PR8 9PW

Online: complete our online enquiry form .

When you write to us, please provide:

• full details of the problem
• the name and date of birth of the person the passport was for
• the date the application form was sent to us
• which of our offices the application form was sent to
• the barcode number from the application form, if you have a note of it
• the passport number, if you have one
• information so we can contact you (name, address, postcode, day and evening phone numbers, and email address if you have these), and
• the date and time of your appointment and an appointment reference number if you visited one of our offices to get your passport.

When we receive your complaint, we will investigate and let you know what went wrong and advise you what we are doing to put things right. We will write to you within 10 working days from receiving your complaint, either with a full reply or to let you know what is happening if we have not finished our investigation.

Identity Interviews

If you are 16 or over, or likely to become 16 before we can issue your passport, you may need to have an identity interview. However we may ask anyone to attend an identity interview. The interview will help us to confirm your identity and that the passport application we have checked actually belongs to you. This is an important part of our commitment to help to reduce identity fraud. It will help us to spot and prevent other people using your identity and committing fraud in your name. This process will increase the time it takes for us to process your application. We will contact you if you need to have an identity interview. Our email/letter will explain how to make an appointment, and give options on where your interview can take place. Interviews can be held in the UK or overseas over a video link connection. Your interview will be carried out in English and your email/letter will give important information so you know what to expect and what you need to do next. This includes what you need to bring such as any additional documents. If you have a mental or physical condition that would prevent you from taking part in an identity interview, please let us know in section 8 of the application form. You should also provide a letter from your doctor or hospital consultant explaining your condition and if this is likely to be permanent or if an improvement can be expected.

If you would like to learn more about identity interviews you can find out at www.gov.uk/apply-first-adult-passport

A checklist before you send in your application

Make a note of your application number on the front page of this guidance booklet. Your application number can be found on the front of your form under the barcode number. You will need this number should you need to contact us. You must send us:

A correctly filled-in application form

All sections should be completed as detailed in ‘Which type of passport are you applying for and what sections to complete’

The form has been signed and dated at section 9, and 6 if applicant is aged 12-15.

If the application is for a child, the adult signing the declaration must have parental responsibility for the child.

If a countersignatory is needed they have fully completed section 10 and correctly certified, signed and dated one photo. See countersignatory section .

2 recent identical photos

(which meet photo guidelines )

The correct documents

Use the checklist for what documents you need to send us .

The correct fee

For information on passport fees visit www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

The correct address to send your form

In some countries you will have to apply in person, visit www.gov.uk/overseas-passports to find out where you need to take your form or where you need to send it

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Apply for a new adult passport

You need a passport to travel to most countries outside the U.S. Learn how to apply for a passport in person, check your application status, and get it changed or corrected.

Eligibility to get a passport

If you are not able to renew your U.S. passport , or if this is your first one, you will need to apply for a new passport. To be eligible, you must be either:

• A U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization or
• A qualifying U.S. non-citizen national

You must apply in person at a passport acceptance facility for a new passport. It cannot be done online or by mail.

What do you need to get a passport?

The application process for passport books and passport cards is the same. You will choose which type of passport you want when you fill out the application. Learn about the differences between passport books and passport cards.

There are 4 things you will need to apply for and get your U.S. passport.

• You can Fill out Form DS-11 online and print it, or 
• Download Form DS-11 [PDF, 5 pages, 1.9 MB] and fill it out by hand, or
• Find your local passport acceptance facility or regional agency and pick up Form DS-11.
• Do not sign Form DS-11 until you are at your appointment and the passport acceptance official tells you to do so. 
• Original proof of citizenship - Learn about what qualifies as primary citizenship evidence or what secondary evidence may qualify if you do not have primary evidence.
• An acceptable photo ID
• A photocopy of both your citizenship document and photo ID
• Passport photo
• Passport fee

Apply in person. Find your local passport acceptance facility. This facility could be a library or post office. Some facilities require appointments or have limited hours.

If you need your passport quickly

Learn how and where to get your passport fast for emergency or urgent travel or to get expedited processing. The time it takes for each varies throughout the year, and there may be additional fees. Use the fee calculator or chart.

Check the status of your passport application

Follow the steps from the Department of State to  check the status of your passport application online .

If you need to change your name or correct your new passport

After you receive your passport, if you change your name or find an error, you will need to get an updated passport to reflect the change. The process, cost, and forms you need depend on how long you have had your passport. Follow the steps from the State Department to change your name or correct your passport.

If you are outside the U.S.

Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate near you to request a passport while outside the U.S.

If you need help with your passport application

If you have questions about your U.S. passport, the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) can help. Get contact information for NPIC , and find out when to contact them based on when you are traveling.

LAST UPDATED: May 14, 2024

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What happens when you run out of pages in your passport?

By Abigail Malbon

Pre- Brexit , the idea of running out of pages in your passport was unusual, to say the least. But since the UK officially left the EU in January 2020, filling the pages has become a distinct possibility for regular travellers.

UK passport holders now need to get their passport stamped every time they enter and leave the EU, which means that those partial to multiple long-weekend trips might be concerned about whether their passport will last its duration. Here’s what you need to know about what happens when you run out of pages in your passport.

How many pages does a British passport have?

In 2015, the British passport was increased from 32 pages to 34 pages, and the ‘jumbo’ passports now include 54 pages. The normal passport has 26 blank pages, which are to be used for stamps when you enter a new country outside of the Common Travel Area (consisting of England , Wales , Scotland and Northern Ireland , plus the Crown Dependencies (Bailiwick of Jersey , Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Isle of Man) and Ireland ). 

What happens if I run out of pages in my passport?

Running out of blank passport pages is a very real possibility for those who travel regularly; in which case, it’s advised to purchase the ‘jumbo’ passport, designed for the purpose of allowing people to travel more within the 10 years their passport is valid for. The jumbo passport costs £85.50 if you apply online, or £95 by paper form (as opposed to £75.50 or £85 for a regular passport), and the application process is the same as for a regular passport. 

Whether you have the jumbo passport or not, if you run out of blank pages for stamps the only option is to purchase a new passport. Everyone should have at least two blank pages when they travel to allow plenty of room, and if you don’t have this, your passport could become invalid.

Can I get a second passport?

Another option, and something many passport-holders don’t know, is that it’s possible to have two British passports at the same time. These are usually issued to people who:

• Need to get visas to travel
• Travel to incompatible countries (countries with political differences which may prevent travel between them)
• Are frequent travellers

You'll need to complete an application form online and wait for your additional passport to arrive, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time if you feel your passport is getting full – especially as passport processing times have been taking longer than usual post-Covid . 

This free line-cutting app could save you hours at the airport

Skip the wait at customs and immigration with Mobile Passport Control, travel’s best open secret.

A month ago, I flew from Paris back to Baltimore full of despair: My vacation was over , and the trip home seemed to take an eternity .

Then I saw the snaking line for customs and immigration.

What could have sunk me into a deeper woe actually revived me, because I didn’t have to wait in that soul-sucking purgatory. I didn’t have to wait in the shorter but still well-populated Global Entry line, either.

Instead, I headed to a third option that most people miss: the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) line. Thanks to this secret national treasure, I was out of the airport and hailing my Uber in eight minutes. (I timed it.)

You, too, can experience this completely free VIP treatment the next time you fly internationally. Here’s how.

What is Mobile Passport Control?

Think of Mobile Passport Control like a fast pass for international travel. It’s a free service that allows select travelers to access a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) express lane with a smartphone app.

To be eligible, you must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident, a Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitor or a returning Visa Waiver Program traveler with approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization.

You can use the app only when returning from an international trip at an MPC-approved site . That includes more than 30 U.S. international airports, 14 pre-clearance locations (among them airports in Abu Dhabi, Aruba and Ireland) and four seaports.

Why don’t more people use it?

Although you’ll see signs promoting Mobile Passport around those sites and sometimes ads on in-flight entertainment systems, most people aren’t taking advantage of the service. Just 8 percent of eligible travelers used the app in the 2024 fiscal year, according to CPB spokesman Aaron Bowker, though that’s a 50 percent increase from the year before.

The company Airside Mobile originally developed the app and launched it in 2014, first at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Awareness of its powers seemed to spread mostly by word of mouth and some signs around airports. In 2022, CBP officially took over the app, launching an updated version that left the original defunct. Some travelers missed the memo and figured the service had been discontinued when their app no longer worked.

But CBP is invested in the program’s growth.

“We’ve expanded the population of travelers that are able to use it. We’ve started to educate the airports. Airports have started to put in a better queuing system,” Bowker said. “And so we’re expecting to see this continue to increase.”

How Mobile Passport works

First, download the Mobile Passport app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store . Unlike line-cutting services such as Global Entry or TSA PreCheck , MPC doesn’t require preapproval or an application process. Even if you forget to do it before your trip, it’s so quick to set up, you can install it as you’re walking up to customs.

When it’s time to pass through, eligible travelers can fire up the app, answer the standard few questions about their trip that they would at a customs kiosk, take a selfie and proceed to a dedicated Mobile Passport lane, where an officer will confirm their details and wave them through. Individual travelers and families of up to 12 people can use the app at once.

It makes me feel like a fancy diplomat — not someone who just spent 12 hours in economy — every time I use it.

Mobile Passport vs. Global Entry

Mobile Passport and Global Entry both promise a faster airport experience. Both also come with pros and cons.

One MPC downside: Although it’s free to use and rarely has a line of more than a few travelers, it’s not at every airport. And Mobile Passport lanes may not always be available even in places that claim to offer it.

CBP spokeswoman Corey Daboin said the agency is aware of that problem. Sometimes, issues are due to infrastructure constraints — some airports may not have the lanes available to operate MPC continuously — or management. The agency stresses, however, that Mobile Passport is a priority, and “we are working on making that so it’s not an issue moving forward,” Daboin said.

If you fly internationally and your home airport doesn’t have MPC yet, Global Entry is a great option. It does cost $100 and requires an application and interview process. But it also comes with a TSA PreCheck membership and is good for five years — plus it’s still light-years better than waiting in that endless regular line.

More travel tips

Vacation planning: Start with a strategy to maximize days off by taking PTO around holidays. Experts recommend taking multiple short trips for peak happiness . Want to take an ambitious trip? Here are 12 destinations to try this year — without crowds.

Cheap flights: Follow our best advice for scoring low airfare , including setting flight price alerts and subscribing to deal newsletters. If you’re set on an expensive getaway, here’s a plan to save up without straining your credit limit.

Airport chaos: We’ve got advice for every scenario , from canceled flights to lost luggage . Stuck at the rental car counter? These tips can speed up the process. And following these 52 rules of flying should make the experience better for everyone.

Expert advice: Our By The Way Concierge solves readers’ dilemmas , including whether it’s okay to ditch a partner at security, or what happens if you get caught flying with weed . Submit your question here . Or you could look to the gurus: Lonely Planet and Rick Steves .

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Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• Trusted Traveler Programs

The NEXUS program allows pre-screened travelers expedited processing when entering the United States and Canada. Program members use dedicated processing lanes at designated northern border ports of entry, NEXUS kiosks when entering Canada by air and Global Entry kiosks when entering the United States via Canadian Preclearance airports. NEXUS members also receive expedited processing at marine reporting locations.

Trusted Traveler Programs: Nexus

Nexus benefits.

• Receive expedited passage at NEXUS-dedicated lanes
• Utilize Global Entry airport kiosks
• If arriving by sea, reporting arrival into the U.S. and Canada by calling a marine telephone reporting center

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18 Travel Hacks You Probably Haven't Heard Before, Straight From People Who Swear By Them

"I once racked up over 20,000 Capital One travel points in a very, very unconventional way..."

BuzzFeed Staff

If you love to travel or travel often, you've probably picked up some tips and tricks to make jet setting more seamless, enjoyable, and cheaper. So redditor u/tomsawyertravels asked, "What's your best obscure travel hack ?" Here's what people said (and I can't wait to try some of these out on my next adventure).

1. "southwest airlines starts drink service at rows 1, 8, 15, and 22. if you have a choice of row 9 or 15, go to 15. you get your drink first and have a better chance at getting more than one.".

— u/enfranci

2. "Always carry a sarong with you when traveling. It’s basically an all-in-one lightweight tool. You can use it as clothes, a raincoat, a rope, a bandage, a beach towel/picnic rug, a bag, or a blanket."

— u/PurplePiglett

3. "Use the bathrooms by the baggage claim. They’re always clean and empty."

— u/holy_cal

4. "I always try to have an extended layover (like 10 hours or more) to visit the layover city. This way, I've visited Tokyo, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore without going on a specific trip to those destinations. It takes some fiddling to book those flights (airlines present you with the 'most convenient' flight), but it's worth it."

— u/frugalacademic

5. "A lot of flights are not allowing carry-ons these days with a basic ticket purchase (JetBlue 🤨), so I've been using my fishing vest I got from Japan to carry all of my clothes I can't fit into my personal items. Styled right, it looks super cool with my outfit, AND I can fit eight shirts, five pairs of socks, and an entire laptop (storage on the back) in it—and snacks and water. When traveling to places where it's inconvenient to bring my fishing vest, I'll bring my jacket with deep pockets and my Costco dad cargo pants. I can fit 2-3 shirts per pocket. And before anyone complains about the extra weight I'm bringing into the plane, I can promise you my extra clothes and snacks weigh less than 5 pounds."

— u/tomsawyertravels

6. "Most flights won't give you a refund on basic tickets. Upgrade them to a higher class ticket then cancel for a full refund. I've done this with United and JetBlue, but I can't speak for other airlines."

— u/Ace-O-Matic

7. If you must cancel a hotel less than 24 hours in advance, call and tell them you need to bump the reservation back a week. Then call the next day and cancel it penalty-free."

— u/Blu3fin

8. "We once racked up over 20,000 Capital One points in a very unconventional way. We were in Paris and rented Velib bikes to get around the city. The catch was that every time we'd rent a bike, a hold was put on our credit card in case of damage to the bike. I believe the hold was close to $400 for each bike, and it took a couple of days for the hold to be lifted. For some reason, the hold would go through as a purchase on our card, and with the travel multiplier, we were getting about 1,600 points every time we rented a bike. The best part was that the bike rental was free if you rented it for less than 30 minutes. So we'd just rent two bikes, ride to the next station in less than 30 minutes, drop them off, and rent two more bikes. We did this an absurd amount of times and got rewarded handsomely."

— u/robcampos4

9. "Consider using an eSim card. You can shop online for the best deal on a temporary sim before starting your trip. I paid 30 CAD for a 1-month, 12 gig, unlimited, and everything else plan; it's good for all of Europe. I installed the eSim before heading to the airport. As soon as the plane landed, I could fire up my eSim without the hassle of finding a physical SIM card. Was in my Uber 10 minutes after leaving customs, it was great. Not all phones support it, but for those that do, they are extremely convenient and cheap."

— u/pentox70

10. "If flying between the US and Canada, ALWAYS look at buying separate one-way tickets in each direction. More often than not, you'll save $100+ due to their strange exchange rate and tax calculations. It doesn't work on every single route but is always worth a check, and I've been amazed how often it's been much cheaper."

— u/Dorkus_Mallorkus

11. "I get rid of old clothes on my travels, which helps me empty my carry-on for more souvenirs. I bring old shirts, pants, sweaters, underwear, and socks for travel to get rid of them as I go. I hate checking in luggage and I will have plenty of extra room to bring things back."

— u/fitDEEZbruh

12. "I use hotel room hangers to clip the curtains together to black out the room."

— u/rand0m_g1rl

13. "If you’re flying internationally into the US and are a US citizen, do the mobile passport option if the airport has it. It’s an app and takes 30 seconds to do. It’s just as fast as global entry. I’ve passed 100s of people waiting at passport control."

— u/Inpleinsite

14. "If you're not sure of the neighborhood you're booking your hotel or rental stay in, go to Google Street View and 'walk around' in the neighborhood. You can see if it looks pleasant, has nearby cafes or local grocery stores, etc"

— u/ThaneOfCawdorrr

15. "I always create a Google map list and save items to populate my map. It makes it easy to plan out your days and see what sites/restaurants/attractions you are near in a new city."

— u/macedaace

16. "Requesting a special meal (for example, vegetarian) on an international flight will ensure you get served first."

— u/soniclaura

17. "I always bring baby shampoo and an entire unopened box of ziploc bags. The baby shampoo is great for washing yourself (obviously) but is also perfect for washing things like lightweight shirts, underwear, and socks in the sink."

18. "One of my favorite obscure travel hacks is to use Google Maps offline. Before my trip, I download the maps of the areas I'll visit. This way, I can navigate, find attractions, and even search for restaurants without an internet connection. It's beneficial in places with spotty Wi-Fi or when I want to save on data usage. Plus, it relieves stress and helps me feel more confident exploring new places."

— u/Known-Astronomer8660

What's your favorite travel hack that most people haven't heard before? Tell us in the comments or submit it in this anonymous form.

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The 16 Best Father’s Day Gifts for the Traveler Who Has Everything — From $14

There's something for the frequent flier, hiking enthusiast, campground cook, and more.

Travel + Leisure

We’ve all struggled with standing in a checkout line around Father’s Day, holding a set of whiskey stones or Himalayan shot glasses, and wondering if Dad will genuinely appreciate yet one more novelty gift —or never use it. Airline tickets or hotel stays are often a great and, albeit, expensive gift for adventure travel-loving dudes , but not all father figures love to travel; many are content staying closer to home or venturing into the outdoors. 

So whether your dad lives large as a jet-setter, prefers solo camping trips, or opts for family beach vacations, this travel writer is here to help you find the perfect gift that will make his next trip incredible — even if that trip is simply to the backyard. Keep scrolling to find the best Father’s Day gifts for travelers under $100 (and even under $50 and $20). There's something for the outdoorsy dad , tech-savvy dad , frequent flier dad , and more. 

S-Zone Duffel Bag 

For someone who is quite literally always on the go, a piece of practical luggage like this on-sale S-Zone Duffel Bag will make a great gift. Ideal for flights, weekend road trips, camping trips, and more, the multitasking travel bag has a spacious main compartment and multiple pouches and zippers to keep everything organized. Its sophisticated leather trim details and canvas body make it a dapper choice for business travel, and it can even double as a swanky gym bag. 

Bagsmart Toiletry Bag

Good gear makes for successful trips, and if you're shopping for someone who prefers a Ziploc bag over a Dopp kit, this pick is for you. Bagsmart's water-resistant toiletry bag ensures that every trip goes smoothly with its durable, compact, and roomy design, which is stocked with pockets and compartments galore. There's even a waterproof compartment to help keep liquids secure, and he'll appreciate the convenience of its wide-opening top and sturdy double zipper closure. 

Sperry Bahama II Boat Shoes

Father’s Day falls during prime boat season, so whether your guy cruises the lakes of the Ozarks or Florida’s intercoastal on vacation, he’ll appreciate a good-looking pair of boat shoes that dries out in mere minutes. This quintessential summer shoe can be worn on deck or the street and has hand-sewn elements that give it a relaxed, polished look. Sperry's Bahama IIs are made with a breathable, comfortable twill textile and lightweight rubber soles for comfort, as well as the brand's signature foot comfort system for all-around support and cushioning — which is ace on those days when it feels like he’s working a shift on "Below Deck."

Riemot Luggage Cup Holder

Looking for a nifty travel gadget to make your frequent flier feel like the coolest traveler in the airport? Behold, the Riemot Luggage Cup Holder. It simply slides on your suitcase handle and provides extra storage space to keep you hands-free in the airport. When you arrive at the airport, you can use it to conveniently stow your wallet, phone, and passport so you don't have to rifle through your bag at check-in. And once you're through TSA security, you can stock it with a water bottle, a cup of coffee, and snacks. What's more, it folds up compactly and hardly takes up any space in a suitcase or backpack. 

Rux Cooler Cube 

The cooler bag has to be one of the best modern-day inventions, and it’ll prove extra essential for his upcoming camping trip or tailgate with the guys. Made by Rux — known for its high-quality gear haulers — the 5-liter Cooler Cube is the ideal size to fit everything he needs for lunch after solo hiking or a six-pack of cold beers on a fishing trip with a friend, and it’s still lightweight enough to carry up a hill. It's built with heavy-duty RF-welded 840D TPU, which means it can withstand whatever nature has in store that day. Even more genius, it has lash points to secure it to anything, and it can be integrated into Rux’s waterproof bag for lunch on a kayak. If you buy this as a gift, you can expect it to last thanks to its lifetime warranty, and you’ll even get to choose from colors like classic black, vibrant orange, army green, and steel blue — even though it’s practical doesn’t mean it has to be boring. 

G Gradual Tapered Joggers

Odds are you're shopping for a guy who has a hard time letting go of his tried-and-true clothing pieces — even if they're falling apart. This Father's Day, treat him to a new pair of joggers that he'll be able to wear for every occasion, from hiking and traveling to dining out and backyard barbecues. The secret to their versatility lies in the tapered design, which gives these classic-fitting joggers a more elevated look. They're also made with a lightweight, four-way-stretching fabric for comfortable movement and functional zipper pockets so he's never without his essentials. 

Vuori Short-sleeve Bridge Button-down Shirt ​​

It wouldn't be a Father's Day gift guide without a Hawaiian shirt. In fact, to many of their children’s chagrin, your padre probably wore this colorful button-up style on trips with the fam before they became trendy. If the options in your guy's current collection are a little too spirited, this summery short-sleeve button-down from Vuori makes a great, last-minute gift, especially if you're not sure what to get this year. It's made with the activewear brand's editor-loved lightweight performance stretch fabric so it'll be comfy on long travel days, camping trips, hikes, summer gatherings, and more. 

Duer No Sweat Shorts

The greatest enemy to traveling comfortably when temperatures climb high is sweat — especially in that area. With its quick-dry fabric and breathability, the Duer No Sweat Shorts will keep them cool and free of embarrassing sweat stains even on a Nile River cruise in the steamiest of months. While the material on these shorts feels more midweight in nature, they wear comfortably like gym shorts and have an insanely stretchy movement to them. Naturally, this makes them a great option for guys who will be climbing the Spanish Steps in Rome, or doing a low-impact cruise around Yosemite Falls. Featuring a relaxed fit and specialized fibers that naturally keep away moisture and bacterial growth, Duer’s No Sweat shorts are outfitted with five deep, sturdy pockets to securely stash Dad’s (many) essentials. 

Twelve South AirFly SE Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter

If your recipient is also your favorite travel companion (or someone who only uses Bluetooth headphones), give them the gift of endless in-flight entertainment with this tech-savvy wireless audio transmitter. It connects any pair of wireless headphones to the plane's seatback console via Bluetooth, so your seatmate can unwind with a movie or TV show of their choice without the use of the airline's provided wired headphones. If you're shopping for a gym buff, this device can also be used to connect wireless headphones to the machines' console as well. 

Smartish Crown Joule Charging Cord

By a certain age, we all have a drawer filled with cables and we don’t know what they’re for. This Smartish Crown Joule universal cable ensures you’ll never have to watch Dad make Yosemite Sam noises while he feverishly rifles through said drawer looking for the “right charger” ever again as its a three-in-one micro-USB, lightning, and USB-C charger (which means it's compatible with most Apple and Android devices). It boasts a fabric-wrapped cable for less tangling and fraying, but the real perk is that you can charge multiple devices at once. 

AeroPress Go Coffee Maker

We’re all tickled by the current price of a to-go coffee, especially Dad. To show your lifetime financial advisor that you’ve been listening to his advice, pick up this on-the-go coffee maker by AeroPress for Father’s Day, which promises to energize him with a nice cup of joe while traveling. The AeroPress makes espresso-style, cold brew, and traditional coffee you would otherwise swear came from a French press with many other perks. Case in point: The coffee brews very quickly using a process that involves air pressure and microfiltration. The AeroPress Go works best with medium fine ground coffee, with or without a grinder, and it even comes with a mug for coffee consumption anywhere there’s access to water. From the summit of Aspen Mountain to boating around Lake Tahoe, this lightweight, portable coffee maker is a gift they will want to show off, especially if he’s into camping, backpacking, skiing, or sailing — not to mention, you’ll get the added benefit of always having access to coffee, too. 

Jivock 300x25 Binoculars With Phone Adapter

These genius mini pocket binoculars pack lots of value; they provide incredibly clear magnification, are waterproof, and come with a neck strap, portable bag, and a phone adapter so you can see the picture directly on your mobile device. Featuring a 300-times magnification zoom and a 25-millimeter field of view, here are just some ideas for how Dad can use these binoculars on his travels: a bird-watching journey in the Galapagos Islands, gorilla trekking in Rwanda, or simply peeping the New York City skyline from a trendy riverfront restaurant like Blu on the Hudson . 

Mofokeay Wireless Speaker and Lantern Set

Whether you're shopping for the grill master, the decor connoisseur, or the gardening enthusiast, these two-in-one outdoor speakers will win them over. At first glance, they look like ordinary lanterns, but they're actually equipped with a Bluetooth speaker so you can fill your outdoor space with your favorite tunes. It's the perfect gift for anyone who loves hosting summer parties, as well as someone who can always be found lounging in the backyard. They also come in handy on camping trips! 

GCI Outdoor Slim-fold Cook Station

If Dad takes his camp cooking seriously, then he'll be blown away by this foldable outdoor cook station that acts as a prep station, stovetop, and extra table. Highly portable and functional, it maximizes your campground culinary experience with its multi-table design, which features four mini tabletops on the sides and a storage rack down below so everything has a secure place. There's even a hook to hang a garbage bag and a paper towel roll holder. Even better, the main table is made with heat-resistant aluminum so you can put your camp stove on it. 

MiiR Wide-mouth Water Bottle

There are, without a doubt, lots of travel thermoses out there to choose from, but MiiR’s wide-mouth version rises to the top, especially for campers, hikers, or any Pops who is always on the go. It is also incredibly leakproof, keeps drinks at their temperature for hours, and has a durable stainless steel exterior with a luxe-looking powder coat finish — plus, an easy-to-carry and comfortable loop cap. Available in 16-, 20-, and 32-ounce options, no matter how thirsty your big guy is, this water bottle comes in a size and a color to suit his personality. MiiR is also a B-certified, climate-neutral corporation that gives 1 percent back to the planet. 

Groove Life Men’s Belt

There’s something about needing to adjust your belt several times per day that can make a man feel, well, a little too much like his dad. Thanks to its design and signature magnetic aluminum buckle, this Groove Life Men’s Belt only needs to be adjusted once (and the sound it makes when it snaps in place will even make him feel quite cool). Held together with neodymium magnets, it snaps and latches securely but releases easily when needed. The everyday adventure lifestyle belt is as functional as it is comfortable and stylish for your guy to wear, with a sturdy A380 aluminum alloy buckle and a webbed poly fabric that securely stretches, making it ideal for lots of different tactical gadgets. Right now, certain colors are on sale, so make sure to grab one so you can save some cash. 

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