How to Fast-Track a UK Passport Application
If you need a UK passport urgently, HM Passport Office offers two expedited application services: the 1 Week Fast Track service and the 1 Day Premium service.
The service you can use depends on the type of passport application you are making. The 1 Day Premium service is generally limited to eligible adult passport renewals, while the 1 Week Fast Track service covers a wider range of adult and child applications.
First adult passport applications cannot normally use either urgent service. Appointment availability, fees and eligibility rules can change, so always check the official GOV.UK urgent passport guidance before applying.
Urgent UK Passport Services: Key Information
- 1 Week Fast Track: your new passport is normally delivered within one week of your appointment.
- 1 Day Premium: an eligible adult renewal is normally ready to collect around four hours after the appointment.
- First adult passport: urgent passport services are not normally available.
- Child passport: the 1 Week Fast Track service may be available, but the 1 Day Premium service is not.
- Appointment required: both urgent services require an appointment at a participating passport office.
- Official booking: apply and book through GOV.UK rather than a third-party website.
Compare UK Passport Application Services
The following comparison explains the main differences between the standard passport application service, 1 Week Fast Track and 1 Day Premium.
| Service | Suitable for | Processing time | Appointment required | Delivery or collection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard passport service | First passports, renewals and most other applications | Varies according to demand and the application | Not usually | Delivered to the applicant |
| 1 Week Fast Track | Eligible adult and child renewals, child first passports and some replacement or change applications | Normally within one week of the appointment | Yes | Normally delivered |
| 1 Day Premium | Eligible adult passport renewals | Normally ready around four hours after the appointment | Yes | Collected from the passport office |
Processing times begin from the relevant stage of the application, such as the passport office appointment. They do not include the time you may need to wait for an available appointment.
Which Urgent Passport Service Do I Need?
The right service depends on the applicant, the type of application and how soon the passport is needed.
Adult Passport Renewal
An eligible adult passport renewal may be completed using either the 1 Week Fast Track service or the 1 Day Premium service. The Premium service is the faster option, but it is more expensive and appointments are subject to availability.
Child Passport Application or Renewal
The 1 Week Fast Track service may be available for an eligible child passport renewal or first child passport. Children cannot use the 1 Day Premium service.
First Adult Passport
A first adult British passport application cannot normally be completed through the 1 Week Fast Track or 1 Day Premium service. The applicant must use the standard passport application process and should apply well before travelling.
Lost, Stolen or Damaged Passport
The 1 Week Fast Track service may be available for some replacement passport applications. Eligibility depends on the circumstances, so check the official requirements before booking.
1 Week Fast Track Passport Service
The 1 Week Fast Track passport service is intended for eligible applicants who cannot wait for the standard passport application process.
After attending an appointment at a participating passport office, the new passport is normally delivered within one week. The one-week period starts from the appointment date rather than the date the online booking is made.
Who Can Use 1 Week Fast Track?
The service may be available for:
- eligible adult passport renewals;
- eligible child passport renewals;
- first child passports;
- some lost, stolen or damaged passport replacements;
- some passport detail or name changes.
The service is not normally available for a first adult passport application.
How the 1 Week Fast Track Service Works
- Start the urgent passport application through the official GOV.UK service.
- Enter the applicant’s details and provide the requested information.
- Pay the relevant Fast Track passport fee.
- Choose an available appointment at a participating passport office.
- Attend the appointment with the documents listed in the booking confirmation.
- Wait for the new passport to be delivered to the address provided.
Appointment availability is not guaranteed. During busy travel periods, the earliest available appointment may be at a passport office further from home.
How Much Does 1 Week Fast Track Cost?
The 1 Week Fast Track service costs more than a standard passport application. Adult and child fees are different, and a frequent traveller passport may cost more than a standard passport.
Passport fees can change. Check the current 1 Week Fast Track fee on GOV.UK before applying.
1 Day Premium Passport Service
The 1 Day Premium passport service is the fastest standard option offered by HM Passport Office. It is generally available only for eligible adult passport renewals made from within the UK.
The applicant applies online, attends a passport office appointment and normally collects the new passport around four hours later. It is not a walk-in service, and an appointment must be booked in advance.
Who Can Use 1 Day Premium?
The service is generally available for eligible adult passport renewals. It is not available for:
- first adult passport applications;
- child passport applications or renewals;
- applications that require additional checks outside the Premium service rules.
Always complete the eligibility check on GOV.UK before relying on this service for urgent travel.
How the 1 Day Premium Service Works
- Apply through the official GOV.UK urgent passport service.
- Upload or provide an acceptable digital passport photograph.
- Pay the Premium passport fee.
- Book an available appointment at a participating passport office.
- Attend the appointment with the old passport and any other requested documents.
- Return at the collection time stated by the passport office.
- Collect the new passport, normally around four hours after the appointment.
The passport is collected from the passport office rather than sent to the applicant’s home. Follow the collection instructions in the booking confirmation, including any rules about an authorised person collecting on the applicant’s behalf.
How Much Does 1 Day Premium Cost?
The 1 Day Premium service is more expensive than both the standard service and 1 Week Fast Track. The fee can also differ depending on the type of adult passport requested.
Check the current 1 Day Premium passport fee on GOV.UK before booking.
How to Book an Urgent Passport Appointment
Fast Track and Premium passport appointments should be booked through the official GOV.UK urgent passport service.
The booking system will show the appointments and passport office locations available for the selected service. Availability can change quickly, particularly before school holidays and during peak summer travel periods.
Do not pay an unofficial third-party website to book an urgent passport appointment. Third-party services cannot guarantee earlier appointments or faster passport processing.
What to Take to a Passport Office Appointment
The documents required depend on the application. The booking confirmation will provide the definitive list.
You may be asked to bring:
- the applicant’s current or most recent passport;
- original supporting documents requested during the application;
- evidence of a name or personal detail change;
- passport photographs, where instructed;
- the appointment confirmation or application reference;
- identification required for an authorised person collecting a passport.
Check the confirmation carefully before travelling to the passport office. Missing documents may delay the application.
How Long Does an Urgent Passport Application Take?
The 1 Week Fast Track service normally delivers the new passport within one week of the passport office appointment.
The 1 Day Premium service normally makes the passport available for collection around four hours after the appointment.
These times do not include the wait for an available appointment. An application may also take longer if HM Passport Office needs additional information or further checks.
Check Your Passport Validity Before Travel
A passport can be unexpired but still fail a destination’s entry requirements. Some countries require a minimum period of validity after arrival or departure. Others have rules about the passport’s issue date or the number of blank pages available.
Check the entry requirements for every country on your itinerary, including countries where you will change flights or cross a border in transit.
Use the official GOV.UK foreign travel advice for destination-specific passport and entry rules.
How to Avoid Last-Minute Passport Problems
Check Your Passport Before Booking Travel
Check the passport’s expiry date, issue date, condition and available blank pages before paying for a trip. Also check the destination’s entry requirements.
Apply as Early as Possible
Do not wait until the passport is close to expiry if you already know it will not meet the requirements for a planned journey. A standard application is normally less expensive than an urgent passport service.
Follow the Passport Photo Rules
An unsuitable photograph can delay a passport application. Use a photograph that meets the current rules for lighting, background, image quality, facial expression and head position.
Check Supporting Documents Carefully
Provide the documents requested for the specific type of application. Requirements can differ for a renewal, first child passport, replacement passport or change of name.
Keep a Secure Copy of Your Passport Details
Before submitting or surrendering an old passport, keep a secure copy of the photograph page for your records. Store passport information safely and do not share it unnecessarily.
Emergency Travel Documents
An Emergency Travel Document is different from an urgent passport. It is mainly intended for eligible British nationals who are outside the UK and cannot use their passport because it has been lost, stolen, damaged, expired or is otherwise unavailable.
An Emergency Travel Document is usually valid only for a specified journey. It may not be accepted for every route or destination.
Check the official Emergency Travel Document guidance on GOV.UK before applying.
Urgent UK Passport FAQs
What Is the Fastest Way to Get a UK Passport?
The 1 Day Premium service is normally the fastest HM Passport Office option. It is generally restricted to eligible adult passport renewals and requires an appointment. The new passport is normally ready to collect around four hours after the appointment.
Can I Fast-Track a Child Passport?
An eligible child passport application may use the 1 Week Fast Track service. This can include some child renewals and first child passports. Children cannot use the 1 Day Premium service.
Can I Fast-Track a First Adult Passport?
No. A first adult British passport application cannot normally use the 1 Week Fast Track or 1 Day Premium service. The applicant must use the standard application process.
Can I Visit a Passport Office Without an Appointment?
Urgent passport services require a pre-booked appointment. Do not travel to a passport office unless your booking confirmation instructs you to attend.
Can I Get a Same-Day Passport Without an Appointment?
No. The 1 Day Premium service is not a walk-in service. You must apply online, meet the eligibility requirements, pay the fee and secure an available appointment.
Does the One-Week Processing Time Start When I Apply?
No. For the 1 Week Fast Track service, the stated processing period normally begins from the passport office appointment, not from the date the online application is started.
Can Someone Else Attend or Collect the Passport?
The rules depend on the applicant’s age, the service used and the purpose of the appointment. Follow the instructions supplied during the application. An authorised collector may need written permission and acceptable identification.
Important: Passport fees, eligibility rules, appointment availability and processing times can change. This guide provides general information only. Check the current HM Passport Office guidance on GOV.UK before submitting an application or making travel arrangements.
How your passport is checked and printed
Want to see what goes on behind the scenes when it comes to making your little red book
Related Travel Guides from APH
These related APH guides provide more information about UK passport costs, passport photographs and identity requirements.
Plan Your Airport Journey
Once your passport and travel documents are ready, APH can also help you plan the next stage of your journey with airport parking, airport hotels and travel advice.
I was asked for some further Documents by Newport Passport Office, but my Partner posted them in the Post Box by mistake without Postage. I contacted Newport Royal Mail Delivery office and they said the Documents will go straight to the Passport office PO Box number. I wrote to Newport Passport Office with Contact details but with no reply, what is the Passport process in this situation?
I am now 84 October 2018 I will be 85′ how much will it cost to renew my standard passport?
I need my passport before the 31st of August 2018, I put it in the office two weeks a go, please can you tell me how long it is going to be thank you.
I applied for my 1st British passport from overseas , I already have a neutralization certificate. the application was sent on December 2016 and it is 2018. Every time I make an enquiry the answer is on the process but it has been more than 1 year they must have been in some kind of stage by now. I am now worried about my original paperwork that I have sent through.
I AM PROFOUNDLY DEAF & 77 AGED WHO LIVES AT POOLE DORSET, I NEED NEW PASSPORT FOR NEW START NOW BUT I HAVE CHANGED FULL NAME IS REGGIE ALLAN ANDREWS SO FORMER NAME IS DAVID HENRY JOHN BURGESS SO HOW MUCH FEE FOR NEW PASSPORT AND POST TO ME ABOUT £73 POUNDS AND POST FEE PLEASE IF POSSIBLE LEASE LET ME KNOW SOON MY OLD PASSPORT IS 2007 TO 2017 IS NOT GOOD I MUST HAVE NEW ONE SOON WITH THANKS
REGGIE ANDREWS
I am 41 with dual American/British nationality.Born in the UK am I eligible to apply for a first British passport?Would it take 6 weeks?Bit confused about process.
I sent the passport for my children 6 weeks ago (in 3 days time) one week ago I requested an upgrade but nobody ever contacted me. It is the 3rd passport and I have not received any information of any problem. I suppose to travel in 5 days and I’m feeling totally let down. Could be that somebody just did not like my kids face and just put the forms inside a drawer? why the receipts forms at the post office say “at leat 3 weeks for children renewal” well, maybe for some kids but no mine!!
I have already paid the 75 pounds for the UK passport renewal and I have 5 weeks before my travel date. Can I fast track my application and pay the additional fee?
Can my child flight home to UK 1 day after her passport expires. She is UK citizen coming back from Poland?
Her passport expires 22nd of May and she comes back 23 of May.
I’ve just received my new passport and although I’ve signed it in the correct place it’s not directly on the line will this be accepted?
When my current EU/UK passport expires in 2023, can I apply for another EU passport rather than a UK one?
My passport runs out December 2017 and I am flying to St Lucia 4th July to get married.
Will I have enough time on my passport to return back to UK on 18th July.
Hi- Use the info on this page to find the fastest route to getting a new passport.
https://www.aph.com/community/holidays/passport-panic-help/
My dad is 83. Does he qualify for a free passport?
Hi Kerry – You can get or renew a British passport for free if you’re a British national and were born on or before 2 September 1929.
I AM OVER EIGHTY WILL I BE REQUIRED TO PAY TO FOR RENEWING MY PASSPORT
You can get or renew a British passport for free if you’re a British national and were born on or before 2 September 1929
I would welcome a passport card in the uk as other countries have one. But it does not matter to me as I have Irish citzenship as will soon have the Irish passport card but uk should have one I case your passport is lost
I think that all UK citizens should be able to purchase a “credit card” style identity card, in addition to the usual passport, if they wish. I for one would welcome this opportunity.
I received a letter and said I needed my marriage cert., my marriage license is not proof of marriage. I got married in Nevada and live in Michigan. I will be receiving it tomorrow. I have to get it by sept 10th. 2 weeks and 6 days. If I mail it overnight to VA. Would that be enough time? Or should I call the agency for an appt? Help