Giving birth

Need to know

HM Passport Office has issued an alert to anyone applying for a new or replacement child passport in the UK

All you need to know as HM Passport Office issues alert over children’s passports:

• HM Passport Office has issued a new alert for parents applying for a new or replacement passport for a child.
• All children must hold their own passport to travel internationally – a rule that has been in place since October 1998. The sole issuer of UK passports shared the alert on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday.
• It stated: “A child’s application must be completed by a person with parental responsibility. You’ll also need to provide documentation to confirm this.”
• Parental responsibility is automatically granted to those who give birth to the child. Fathers or second female parents may also have automatic parental responsibility depending on their circumstances.
• For example, parental responsibility is also automatically granted if you are married to or in a civil partnership with the birth mother at the time of the child’s birth.
• Should the biological father wed or enter into a civil partnership with the child’s birth mother following the birth, he will automatically obtain parental responsibility.
• A standard child’s passport costs £66.50 online or £80 by paper form, rising to £80.50 or £94 for a 54-page frequent-traveller passport.

READ THE FULL STORY: HM Passport Office alert to anyone applying for a child

HM Passport Office (HMPO) has issued an alert to parents and caregivers

HM Passport Office (HMPO) has issued an alert to anyone planning to apply for a new or replacement passport for a child.

A valid passport is needed for anyone, including children, to travel abroad. Prior to October 5, 1998, children under 16 years old could be included on a parent or family member’s passport. But since this date, all children – regardless of age – are required to hold their own individual passports to travel internationally. The sole issuer of UK passports, HMRC, shared a message on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday.

It reads: “A child’s application must be completed by a person with parental responsibility. You’ll also need to provide documentation to confirm this.”

Parental responsibility is automatically granted if you give birth to the child. If you are a father or second female parent, you may have automatic parental responsibility depending on your personal circumstances.

You will also typically have automatic parental responsibility if you are married to or in a civil partnership with the birth mother at the time of the child’s birth. The child’s biological father will automatically acquire parental responsibility if they marry or enter into a civil partnership with the child’s birth mother after the child is born.

If your child was conceived via fertility treatment, you will automatically have parental responsibility provided you consented to the treatment and are married to or in a civil partnership with the birth mother. Should you not be married to or in a civil partnership with the birth mother, parental responsibility can be obtained by jointly registering the birth alongside the mother.

Separate rules apply when registering a birth for same-sex couples. Should the birth not be registered together, an application for parental responsibility can be made.

How much is a passport for a child?

At present, a new or replacement passport for a child costs £66.50 when applying online, or £80 when submitting a paper form. This is the price for a standard 34-page document.

Should you require a “frequent traveller” 54-page child’s passport, this will cost £80.50 or £94 when applying online or via the paper form, respectively.