Passport Interview - What Questions Will I Be Asked?

If this is your first adult application for a British Passport, you must first send off your original application form with supporting documents, you will then be contacted either by phone (from a withheld phone number)or by letter to arrange an interview at a local office. Passport interview offices are situated near most larger town and cities and will be arranged depending on your location and your ability to travel.

Before you attend your appointment

It is important to remember that The Passport Office is a government building and the rules and regulations surround your entry to the building are very strict. So before you leave for you appointment make sure you have no sharp objects like nail scissors, metal nail files or any weapons of any kind, liquids are also not allowed on site so please dispose of these before your arrival. Unless you absolutely need it for your interview we would suggest leaving it at home.

Also be sure that you have all of your supporting documents with you, your passport photos and a valid piece of photo ID, if you don't bring photo ID with you there is no way to verify your identity and therefore you will be denied entry into the building.

What to expect when you arrive

There are Passport Offices situated all over the country in Belfast, Durham, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Birmingham, Newport and Peterborough. All of which have the same security measures in place and all operate in the same manner. So the information we provide you with today is sure to be accurate which ever office you may visit.

As The Passport Office is a government building they have airport like security upon entry to the building. This includes metal detectors and X-Ray machines to scan you and your belongings for any dangerous material. Once you have passed security you will then be given a ticket, this is the number that they will call when it's time for your appointment.

Before your interview

Once you have passed through security you will then be shown to a waiting area with TV monitors on all walls. These monitors will be showing which tickets are being called and which ones will be next, so make sure you are always aware of what number they are on as missing your number will result in severe delays.

There are also Passport Office employees situated all around the waiting areas that are there to help you with anything you may need, from where the toilets are to questions about waiting times and of course if you have any special requirements or are in need of assistance with wheelchairs etc.

Your passport interview

When your number is called you will be shown to an area where you will stand in front of a Passport Officer and start your interview. It's important to remember at this stage that this can be a very daunting process and many people get extremely nervous. But, remember they are not there to catch you out, they are there to protect us all from people trying to gain passports illegally.

Once your interview has started you will be asked a series of questions, so to ensure you are as prepared as possible we have put below a list of all the questions you might be asked.

Questions about your name
• What is your full name
• How do you spell your full name
• Have you ever had any other names/maiden names

Questions about your address
• What is your full address
• Can you confirm your current address
• What was your previous address/s
• What is your postcode
• What type of property do you live in
• How many bedrooms in the property
• How long have you lived at this address
• Do you own or rent the property

Questions about your household bills
• Which gas/electricity supplier do you use
• Which car insurance company are you with
• Who is your telephone provider
• Who do you bank with
• How long have you banked with them
• Do you hold any other accounts

Questions regarding your partner or spouse
• Are they a British citizen
• If not, when did they move to the UK
• What is their occupation
• Where/how did you meet
• When did you get married - This includes civil partnerships
• Where did you get married - This includes civil partnerships
• How long have you been married

Questions about any children you may have children
• Do you have children
• How many children do you have
• What are their date
• How old are they
• What school/s do they attend

Questions about your parents
• What is your mother's/father's name
• What are their dates of birth
• Are they British Citizens
• Where do they live
• How many brothers/sisters do you have

Questions about yourself
• Were you born in the UK
• When did you first come to the UK
• What is your occupation
• Where do you work
• How long have you been working there

Questions about your naturalisation
• Have you been naturalised
• When were you naturalised
• How many people attended the ceremony
• Where did the ceremony take place

Questions about your previous nationality and passport
• Where was your previous passport issued
• How long have you held that passport
• What will you do with that passport now

Questions about the counter-signer to your passport
• What is their profession
• Where do they work
• What is their full name
• How do you know them
• How long have you known them for

The questions above should cover all aspects of your interview and more. It is also important to remember if you do not know the answer to the question do not lie or try to guess this will go against you. Simply be honest and tell the officer that you do not know the answer.

Be sure to answer all questions to the best of your ability, if any question is unclear or you are unsure of what the officer means ask for the question to be clarified or explained. They are they to help you.

Once your interview has been completed you will not receive your new passport at this time. Once complete your new passport will be sent via secure courier within 14 days, if you would like to track the progress of your application you will need to call the HM Passport Office advice line.