What To Expect, Attending Urgent Passport Appointments

Traveling To My Local Passport Office

When planning a trip to your local passport office, it is crucial to allow plenty of time for travel due to potential unforeseen circumstances. There can be various factors that may cause delays or problems, such as heavy traffic, road closures, or unexpected events. It is prudent to account for these possibilities by leaving earlier than necessary.

Additionally, it is important to be aware of the potential consequences if you miss your appointment. If you fail to arrive at the designated time provided to you, you will lose the fee that was already paid and you will have to reschedule your appointment for another date/time. This means you will need to go through the entire booking process again and make a new payment for the appointment, see our missed appointments guide for more information for a missed passport appointment.

To avoid any hassles or setbacks during your visit to the passport office, it is highly recommended to plan your journey effectively and allocate extra time for unexpected situations, please see links below to directions for each of the 8 regional passport offices, if you are unsure which one is closest to you, use our find nearest passport office tool.

• London Passport Office Directions


• Newport Passport Office Directions


• Peterborough Passport Office Directions


• Liverpool Passport Office Directions


• Birmingham Passport Office Directions


• Durham Passport Office Directions


• Glasgow Passport Office Directions


• Belfast Passport Office Directions

What Do I Need To Take?

Before the day of your appointment, it is crucial to ensure that you have the necessary documents and information with you. Here is a checklist of what you need:

• A correct and complete passport application form (available at your Local Post Office).


• Two passport size photos that meet the passport photo guidelines.


• A countersigned photo and section 10 of the application (make sure to follow the guidelines for who can countersign a passport).


• All supporting documents, such as your current passport, birth/marriage/civil partnership certificates, or deed poll confirmation


• Your booking reference number (remember to bring this with you as it will be needed for access to the office)

By having all these items ready before your appointment, you can ensure a smooth and efficient process during your visit to the passport office. If you would like more detailed information on what documents are needed for different passport applications.

Attending an appointment on behalf of a child (under the age of 16)

If you are looking to attend an appointment on behalf of a child, please see our detailed guidance for urgent appointments for children.

Arriving for Your Appointment

When you arrive for your appointment, be prepared to go through a security check. Similar to airport security, your bags will be x-rayed and you will need to empty your pockets and remove your belt. After passing through security, head to the reception area.

Reception and Ticket System

At the reception, the staff will ask for your booking reference number. Once you provide the necessary information, you will be given a ticket for your appointment. Take a seat in the waiting area and wait until your ticket number is called.

Submitting Documents and Questioning

When your ticket number is called, proceed to the clerk's desk. Submit all the required documents for your application. The clerk will then ask you a series of questions regarding your application. Be prepared to provide any additional information or clarifications that may be needed.

Premium Service: Passport Collection

If you have opted for the Premium One Day Service, you will receive a specific time to collect your passport. This can be at least 4 hours later or possibly the following day if it is after 12:30pm. Keep in mind that you will need to return to the same office where you submitted your application.

Fast Track 1 Week Service: Passport Delivery

For those using the Fast Track 1 Week Service, your passport will be delivered by post 7 days after your application has been accepted. However, if you applied after 12:30pm, it may take an additional day. In case the courier is unable to deliver it directly to you, they will leave a calling card. You can then arrange for redelivery or collect the passport from them.

Picking up Passport on Someone's Behalf

If you need someone else to pick up your passport, they will need to have the following:

• An authorization letter signed by you, the passport holder, granting permission for them to collect the passport


• Proof of their identity, such as their own passport or driver's license


• The receipt issued by the passport office when the application was submitted

Make sure to provide all the necessary documents and follow the procedures to ensure a smooth collection process, for more information see our guidance for attending passport appointments