HM Passport Office Issues Fresh Alert for British Passport Holders
The HM Passport Office (HMPO) has issued a fresh alert
HM Passport Office (HMPO) has warned all UK passport holders to act “as soon as possible” if they are one of a select group of people.
If you’re in the UK and you want to go overseas, you will need a valid passport. To apply for or have a British passport you have to be a British national. However, you must be a British national to be issued with a passport, but it is not automatic. There are a lot of situations in which you can be denied a new one – or have an existing one taken away.
Who Can Have a British Passport Refused or Withdrawn?
Those are: being under serious criminal investigation; being on bail; or having been previously repatriated to the UK at the expense of the Government without payment of the sum. Many people also may not know that your passport never really belongs to you – it is the property of the government and can be revoked or removed at any time.
Lost or Stolen Passport? Report It ASAP
On Friday, HMPO issued some important advise for British passport holders in a recent warning posted on X (previously Twitter). Lost your passport? Report it ASAP. This helps stop abuse and lets you ask for a replacement.
You can read more advice on GOV.UK, which says reporting your passport lost or stolen immediately will “reduce the risk of anyone else using your passport or your identity”. You can report a lost or stolen passport for someone else if they can’t do it themselves, stated the Mirror.
One-Day British Passport Renewal Service and Cost
For individuals who need a new or replacement passport immediately, there is a one-day service on offer, but “the earliest you can get an appointment is two days after you apply”. You will need to bring your old passport to your appointment.
Your new passport will be ready for collection from the passport office four hours after your appointment. Please be aware that this service is only for adult passport renewals and is priced at £239.50.
Emergency Travel Documents for British Citizens Abroad
If you are abroad and need travel documents urgently, you may be able to apply for an emergency travel document. There may be a price. If you want to choose this option, you do not need to cancel your current passport immediately, since it will be cancelled automatically as part of the process of applying for an emergency travel document.