British Passport Documents & Certified Translations
Getting the supporting documents right is an important part of preparing a British passport application.
The documents HM Passport Office requires depend on the type of application, where the applicant lives and, for a first passport, the basis on which British nationality is established.
UK Passport Plan helps applicants identify the documents likely to be required, organise the supporting evidence and check that names, dates and family information are consistent before submission.
What Documents Might You Need?
There is no single document list that applies to every British passport application. The requirements depend on the type of application and the applicant's circumstances.
British passport applications may require documents such as a current or previous British passport, full birth or adoption certificates, registration or naturalisation certificates, parents' passports or birth certificates, foreign passports, marriage or name-change evidence and relevant court or parental-responsibility documents.
If you apply online, HM Passport Office will identify the documents required for the particular application.
First British Passports
First passport applications usually require more supporting evidence because HM Passport Office must establish both the applicant's identity and British nationality.
Depending on the circumstances, this may include a full birth or adoption certificate, registration or naturalisation evidence, a parent's British nationality or immigration evidence and relevant foreign passports.
British Passport Renewals
A straightforward adult renewal normally requires the previous British passport.
If the applicant also holds a valid passport issued by another country, HM Passport Office currently asks for either the physical passport or a colour copy of every page, including blank pages.
Children's Passport Applications
A first child passport can require the child's full birth or adoption certificate, evidence establishing British nationality, parents' details, foreign passports and any relevant court orders.
Applications for children born overseas can require considerably more family and nationality evidence
Using Documents Issued Overseas
Overseas passport applications often involve birth, marriage, nationality or identity documents issued by authorities outside the UK.
Before the application is submitted, it is important to check that the documents required for the particular application are available and that names, dates, places of birth and family relationships are recorded consistently across the evidence.
UK Passport Plan can help identify the documents likely to be required and organise them into a clear supporting evidence pack.
Documents Not in English or Welsh
If a supporting document is not in English or Welsh, HM Passport Office requires a certified translation.
The original document should normally be sent together with the certified translation where HM Passport Office requires the original supporting document.
Who Should Translate Documents for HM Passport Office?
HM Passport Office has confirmed that passport translations should be completed by an appropriately recognised translator.
The translator should be:
• registered with an official professional organisation, for example the Chartered Institute of Linguists or the Institute of Translation and Interpreting;
• employed by a recognised translation company, for example a member of the Association of Translation Companies; or
• if the translation is completed overseas, employed by a translation company listed on the relevant British Embassy, High Commission or British Consulate website.
The translator must not be a family member or friend of the applicant.
What Should the Certified Translation Include?
GOV.UK states that the translator should confirm in writing that the document is a true and accurate translation of the original document. The certification should also include:
• the date of the translation;
• the translator's full name; and
• the translator's contact details.
We also recommend ensuring that the translation identifies the translator or translation company clearly and covers the complete document, including relevant stamps, endorsements and annotations.
Check Names, Dates and Personal Details Carefully
A translation may be technically accurate but still reveal differences between the documents being used for a passport application.
Names can be transliterated differently between passports, birth certificates, marriage records and other civil-status documents. Dates, places of birth and parents' names can also appear differently in records issued by different authorities.
These differences should be identified before the passport application is submitted rather than simply reproducing conflicting information across the application and supporting evidence.
Where necessary, UK Passport Plan can help organise the documentary evidence and prepare an appropriate covering explanation.
How UK Passport Plan Can Help
As part of our British passport application support, UK Passport Plan can help you:
• identify the supporting documents relevant to the proposed passport application;
• prepare a tailored document checklist;
• identify documents requiring certified translation;
• help arrange an appropriate professional translation;
• review the translation against the original document;
• check names, dates and personal information for inconsistencies;
• organise the passport supporting evidence; and
• prepare an appropriate covering explanation where the documentary evidence needs clarification.
We do not treat every passport application as requiring the same documents. The evidence is considered in the context of the particular application.
Related British Passport Services
British Passport Applications in the UK
British Passport Applications from Overseas
British Passports for Children Born Overseas
Need Help With Passport Documents or Translations?
Tell us what type of British passport application you are making, where the applicant lives and what supporting documents you already have.
We can explain the practical next steps and identify the documents or translations that may need to be prepared.