Passport Applications & Birth Certificates

Here you will find all the information you will need to know about how and when you will need a birth certificate to make your application even easier.

When Will I Need A Birth Certificate?

The only time you will need your birth certificate is when you apply for a First Time passport, this includes both child's and adult's passport applications.

If you are applying to renew your existing passport or a lost or stolen passport you do not need to send your birth certificate but you will need to send other forms of verification, as well as your photos.

Can I Use The Short Version Of My Birth Certificate?

The short answer is no. Her Majesty's Passport Office will only accept the long/full version of your birth certificate.

If you are not sure the difference between the two or if you are unsure which one you have take a look below this clearly states which is which.

Short Version
Your short birth certificate will only contain the details of the child or person in question and will be about half the size of an A4 piece of paper.

Long Version
A long or full version of a birth certificate will contain both the child's and the parent's details. It also contains your address at birth and the date and place of birth. These are all the details that The Passport Office are looking for to verify your identity.

I've Lost My Birth Certificate

If you have lost or misplaced the long version of your birth certificate don't panic, this is very common, and it is surprisingly easy to get a replacement copy for your passport application.

There are a few different ways you can apply for a new birth certificate; you can apply online, by post, by phone or in person. We have all the information for you in one place.

Online
To apply for your new birth certificate online you will need to visit General Register Office you will need all the details from the birth certificate or your index reference number. You will be able to pay via credit or debit card.

By Post
You can send a written request to the register office where the birth was originally registered. If you need to find any details for any register office you can find them below. You can also apply via post directly through the General Register Office. If you apply by post you can also pay by cheque.

By Telephone
You can also make one easy phone call to the General Register Office on
Telephone: 0300 123 1837
Text relay: 18001 0300 123 1837
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
Saturday, 9am to 4pm

In Person

If you would rather apply for your birth certificate in person all you need to do is visit the register office where the birth was originally registered. If you have however moved away from where you or you child were born this might not be the easiest way to get your copy.

However you decide to apply for your new birth certificate all the information and contact details are all here

Can Having My Birth Certificate Make My Application Faster?

As we said previously you only require a birth certificate if you are applying for a First Time passport, however if you are applying because of a lost or stolen passport or you are using the urgent fast-track or premium services having your long/full birth certificate will speed things up on the day as all of the relevant information is there ready for your application. But it is not essential for your application.

Ensuring you have all the relevant supporting documents is vital for a smooth application process, if you would like more information on passport renewal or any aspect of your application we are here to help by phone and email.