Applying for your first adult British passport is a little more involved than a renewal — there are extra identity checks, you’ll need a countersignatory, and it takes longer. This 2026 guide explains exactly how to apply, what it costs, the documents you need and how long to allow.
Who needs a first adult passport?
This applies if you’re 16 or over and have never held a UK passport in your own name (for example, you’ve just become British through naturalisation, or you held a child passport that has expired and want your first adult one).
Cost
- £102 — applying online
- £115.50 — by paper form
How long it takes
Allow more time than a renewal: first passports usually take around 4 to 6 weeks because of the extra identity checks, and HM Passport Office advises allowing up to 10 weeks. Don’t book travel until it arrives. (See our processing times guide.)
What you need
- Proof of your British nationality — usually your full birth certificate (and your parents’ details/birth certificates if you were born after 1982), or your certificate of naturalisation/registration.
- A countersignatory — someone who has known you for at least 2 years, holds a current British or Irish passport, and is not a relative, partner or living at your address. They confirm your identity and sign your photo.
- A compliant digital photo.
Some first-time applicants are invited to a short identity interview.
How to apply
Most people apply online at GOV.UK, upload a photo, enter their details, pay £102, and post their supporting documents when asked. Your documents (like your birth certificate) are returned to you. Once you have your passport, keep it safe — future renewals are quicker and cheaper.
More help in our UK passport guides hub, including renewals and child passports.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a first adult British passport?
£102 online or £115.50 by paper form.
How long does a first passport take?
Usually around 4 to 6 weeks because of extra identity checks; allow up to 10 weeks and don’t book travel until it arrives.
Do I need a countersignatory for a first passport?
Yes — someone who has known you for 2+ years, holds a current British or Irish passport, and isn’t a relative, partner or at your address.
What documents do I need for a first adult passport?
Proof of British nationality (full birth certificate, plus parents’ details if born after 1982, or your naturalisation certificate), a digital photo, and your countersignatory’s details.
Can I apply for a first passport online?
Yes, most first adult passports can be applied for online, though some applicants are invited to an identity interview.
I just became British — how do I get my first passport?
Apply as a first adult passport using your certificate of naturalisation as proof of nationality.
