Settlement & Nationality
A British passport application is usually straightforward if your British citizenship is clear and your documents are complete. It can become more complex where you are applying for a first British passport, applying after naturalisation, applying for a child, or where HM Passport Office asks for further evidence of nationality. Wimbledon Solicitors can advise on eligibility, documents, nationality issues and passport applications, so your application is prepared clearly from the start.
At a glance
Main requirement
You must be British or able to prove British nationality
Common applications
First British passport, child passport, renewal, replacement or nationality-linked application
Passport fee
Standard online UK application: £102 adult, £66.50 child, from 8 April 2026
Our fee
Confirmed after a free phone consultation, depending on complexity
A British passport is evidence of British nationality and the right to enter and live in the UK. For many people, applying online is simple. For others, the difficult part is proving that they are British, especially where the application is a first British passport, a child British passport application, or a case involving birth overseas, adoption, surrogacy, registration or naturalisation.
We help where the passport application depends on immigration or nationality law. This can include people who have recently become British after Indefinite Leave to Remain, people applying after a citizenship ceremony, children whose nationality depends on a parent's status, and applicants who need advice on whether they should apply for a British passport or right of abode evidence instead.
A British passport application can be delayed or refused if the documents do not prove nationality clearly. We review the documents before submission, identify missing evidence, and help explain complex issues to HM Passport Office.
You can usually apply for a British passport if you are a British citizen or another type of British national entitled to a British passport. The evidence needed depends on how you became British.
Many clients need help with a British passport after naturalisation or after registration as a British citizen. The passport application is separate from the citizenship application. You must normally complete the citizenship process first, including the citizenship ceremony where required, before applying for your passport.
We check that your naturalisation or registration certificate, identity documents, name history and supporting evidence match correctly. If there are differences in spelling, date of birth, place of birth, previous names or passport details, these should be dealt with before submission to avoid delay.
If you have recently obtained settlement through 10 year Long Residence ILR, Private Life, a family route, or another immigration route, we can also advise on the next steps towards citizenship and passport eligibility.
Child British passport applications often need careful nationality checks. A child born in the UK is not always automatically British. The child's nationality can depend on whether a parent was British, settled, held ILR, held permanent residence, or had another qualifying status at the time of birth.
We advise on child passport applications where the child was born in the UK, born overseas to a British parent, adopted, born through surrogacy, or registered as British. These cases often overlap with children of British citizens or settled persons, adopted children, and surrogacy and immigration for children.
We can review the child's birth certificate, parents' passports, parents' immigration status, adoption documents, registration certificate and any Home Office or HM Passport Office correspondence before the application is made.
British passport applications are document-led. If nationality is obvious, the process may be simple. If nationality depends on parentage, immigration history or historic status, the application should be prepared carefully.
British nationality
The key issue is whether you are already British. A passport does not grant British citizenship. It proves British nationality. If nationality is unclear, we assess whether a passport application, nationality application or right of abode advice is the correct next step.
Supporting documents
Documents may include a current passport, previous passports, birth certificate, parents' birth certificates, naturalisation or registration certificate, marriage certificate, adoption documents, change of name evidence and immigration status evidence.
Identity confirmation
HM Passport Office may require identity confirmation, especially for a first British passport. We explain who can act as a countersignatory or identity referee and check that the details are consistent before submission.
Overseas birth, adoption or surrogacy
Applications involving overseas birth, adoption or surrogacy can require extra evidence to show how British nationality was acquired. We review the nationality position and help prepare the documents in the correct order.
Errors, refusals or document queries
If HM Passport Office has queried your application, asked for further evidence, or refused to issue a passport, we review the reasons and advise whether to provide further documents, correct an error, or take nationality advice first.
Passport fees, document rules and nationality guidance can change. The points on this page are a general guide, correct as at June 2026, and not legal advice on your case. We confirm the current requirements when you instruct us.
We confirm whether you or your child are already British and whether a British passport application is the correct route. If the issue is really right of abode, registration or another nationality matter, we explain this before you apply.
We review identity documents, passports, birth certificates, parent documents, immigration status evidence, naturalisation or registration certificates, name change evidence and any previous HM Passport Office correspondence.
We help prepare the British passport application and organise the evidence. Where the application is complex, we prepare a clear covering letter explaining the nationality position and the documents relied on.
We guide you through submission and respond to document requests where needed. If HM Passport Office raises concerns about nationality or identity, we help address the issue with the correct evidence.
Our fee depends on whether the application is a straightforward British passport application, a first adult British passport, a child passport application, or a complex nationality-linked case. The exact fee is confirmed in writing before any work begins, after a free phone consultation. See our full fixed-fee schedule for current service fees. Government costs are paid separately and may include passport fees, translation costs, replacement document fees, nationality document fees and any priority service fees where available.
You can apply for a British passport if you are British and can prove your nationality and identity. For a first adult British passport, you must usually be a British national aged 16 or over, or turning 16 within 3 weeks, and not have held a UK passport before.
Yes, once you have completed the naturalisation process and attended your citizenship ceremony where required. The British passport after naturalisation application should include the correct citizenship evidence, identity documents and any documents needed to explain name or date differences.
The documents depend on how you became British. They may include your current passport, previous passports, birth certificate, parents' documents, naturalisation or registration certificate, marriage certificate, adoption evidence, change of name evidence and identity confirmation. We provide a checklist based on your circumstances.
A child can apply for a British passport if they are British. A child born in the UK is not always automatically British. The answer can depend on whether a parent was British, settled, held ILR, or had another qualifying status when the child was born. We check the child's nationality before the passport application is made.
If a British passport application is refused, HM Passport Office should explain the reason. The issue may be missing documents, identity concerns, name differences, parentage, nationality, or whether the applicant is British. We review the refusal and advise whether to provide further evidence, correct an error, or take nationality advice first.
No. A British passport proves British nationality, but it does not create British citizenship. If you are not already British, you may need to apply for naturalisation, registration, or another nationality route before applying for a passport.
Processing times depend on HM Passport Office workloads, the type of application and whether further documents are requested. First passport, child passport and nationality-linked applications can take longer if the evidence is incomplete or HM Passport Office needs to check nationality. We help reduce avoidable delays by checking the documents before submission.
Last updated: June 2026.
