UK releases guideline for new citizens to apply for British passport online

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- The UK government released an official guide for British nationals applying for their very first adult passport

- Applicants can choose between two routes, with the online option costing £102 and the paper form priced at £115.50

- The online process involves a digital photo, supporting documents, and an identity confirmation step completed entirely online

The United Kingdom government has released a detailed, step-by-step guide aimed at British nationals who have never held an adult passport, outlining exactly how they can apply and what the process involves.

HM Passport Office published the official guidance covering two available routes for applicants based within the UK.

Those who opt for the online application will pay £102, while those who prefer submitting a paper form will need to budget £115.50. Both options are open to British nationals aged 16 and above who have no prior UK passport. This piece focuses on what the online route entails.

What First-Time Applicants Need to Prepare

Before starting the online application, prospective passport holders will need to gather several items: a digital photograph, relevant identity documents, and a credit or debit card to cover the application fee.

They will also need to identify someone who can vouch for their identity as part of the process.

After submitting and paying for the application, the applicant must nominate a person to confirm their identity.

HM Passport Office sends that individual a direct email containing the steps they need to follow.

Notably, this confirmation is handled entirely online, and the nominated person is no longer required to sign a physical photograph as was previously the practice.

Once the identity confirmation is complete, the applicant receives an email specifying which supporting documents to send and providing a postal address for submission.

Interviews and Passport Delivery

Some applicants may be invited to attend an interview after their application has been reviewed.

These interviews are currently conducted via video call and serve as an additional layer of identity verification when HM Passport Office considers it necessary.

Upon approval, the new passport is dispatched by either courier or recorded delivery.

Supporting documents are returned separately, and the method used for returning them depends on the option the applicant chooses during the application process.

Full details on who qualifies to serve as an identity confirmer, as well as the complete list of accepted supporting documents, are available on the UK government's official website.

TUKO.co.ke has also previously covered citizenship and residency requirements in other countries, including a report on the residency years foreigners must complete before qualifying to apply for Australian citizenship.

According to Australia's Department of Home Affairs, applicants are required to have lived in Australia on a valid visa for a specified period before lodging a citizenship application, with rules also governing how much time can have been spent outside the country during that period.

Source: Legit.ng

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.