UK Baby Passport: GBP 66.50 First Passport for Under-3s
Same fee as any child passport but with extra documentation. The photo, the countersignature, and the parental consent rules trip up most first-time applicants. Updated 8 April 2026.
In one paragraph
A first UK passport for a newborn or under-3 costs £66.50 online (£80 postal) at 2026 rates. Fee is the same as any child passport. The differences are in the photo standard for babies (lying on a sheet, no toys), the countersignature requirement, and the need for both parents' identity documents in most cases. Apply at gov.uk/get-a-child-passport.
Cost Breakdown
| Service | Cost | Processing | When to use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard online | £66.50 | Up to 10 weeks (often longer for first applications) | Most baby applications, first passport, no urgent travel |
| Standard postal | £80 | Up to 10 weeks | If you cannot use the online application |
| Fast track (child) | £135.50 | About 1 week | Travel within 2 to 8 weeks |
| Premium same-day | Not available | n/a | Adults only |
All fees from gov.uk/passport-fees effective 8 April 2026.
The Newborn Photo: Where Most People Get Stuck
The single most common cause of a delayed baby passport is a rejected photo. HMPO standards are strict, and the GOV.UK photo checker will flag problems before you submit (use it). Key requirements for under-1s and under-3s:
- Baby lying on a plain white or off-white sheet, photographed from directly above
- Eyes open and looking at the camera (or, for under-6-months, eyes closed is acceptable)
- Mouth closed, neutral expression
- Head straight, not tilted
- Plain background with no toys, parents' arms, or other distractions
- Even, soft lighting (natural light from a window works well)
- Parent's hand or arm visible in the frame
- Toys, dummies, or comforters in the photo
- Patterned background (the standard pram blanket fails)
- Shadows on the face from a flash or harsh window light
- Head tilted or off-centre
- Eyes closed for babies over 6 months
Many parents take 30 to 50 photos to get one that passes the checker. Some photographic studios offer specialist baby passport photos for around GBP 15 to 20, useful if you have tried the DIY route and failed. Or use a high-street booth that handles baby photos (some are equipped with extra-low platforms).
Documents You Need
For a first child passport (any age, but documentation is most often complicated for newborns):
- The baby's full UK birth certificate (long form), or adoption certificate
- Identity documents for both parents (passport or driving licence) where both have parental responsibility
- Marriage certificate of the parents (if relevant for surname matching)
- If parents are separated or divorced: court orders confirming parental responsibility, or a written letter of consent from the absent parent
- If a step-parent has parental responsibility: a parental responsibility agreement
- A countersignatory: someone who has known the parent for at least two years, holds a British or Irish passport, and is in a recognised profession (teacher, doctor, accountant, civil servant, etc.). They sign one of the photos and confirm the application.
- The completed online application form via gov.uk/get-a-child-passport
The Countersignatory Trap
First child passports require a countersignatory because HMPO has no prior identity record for the child. The countersignatory verifies the application is genuine and the photo is a true likeness. Common pitfalls:
- Not a relative. The countersignatory cannot be related to you or to the child. A friend or a professional acquaintance works; an aunt or uncle does not.
- Recognised profession. HMPO publishes the list. Teachers, doctors, dentists, accountants, lawyers, ministers of religion, civil servants, police officers, and a number of others qualify. A neighbour with no qualifying profession does not.
- British or Irish passport. Even if a friend qualifies on profession, they must hold a UK or Irish passport.
- Known you for 2+ years. They must have known you (the parent) personally, not just by name, for at least two years.
HMPO may contact the countersignatory to verify. If they fail to respond, the application is held up. Brief them in advance.
Parental Consent and Single Parents
UK law requires the consent of all people with parental responsibility before a child passport can be issued. The default is that both parents named on the birth certificate have parental responsibility (true for births registered after 1 December 2003, and for married parents at any date).
Common scenarios:
- Married parents living together. Both sign the application; standard process.
- Separated parents. Both still need to consent unless a court order says otherwise. A written letter from the absent parent confirming consent is usually sufficient.
- Single parent named on birth certificate. The applying parent has parental responsibility alone; no second consent needed if the other parent is not named.
- Other parent uncontactable or deceased. Provide a death certificate or court order. HMPO has a process for unilateral applications but it can add weeks.
- Disputed consent. HMPO will not process the application until either both parents agree or a court order is in place. Family law solicitors handle this.
When the Baby Turns 5
All UK child passports are issued for 5 years, no exceptions. A passport issued for a 6-month-old expires when they are 5 years and 6 months old. Plan ahead:
| Issue age | Expiry age | Likely fee at renewal |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 6 months | 5 to 5 years 6 months | GBP 66.50 (still child) |
| 1 year | 6 years | GBP 66.50 (still child) |
| 2 years | 7 years | GBP 66.50 (still child) |
| 3 years | 8 years | GBP 66.50 (still child) |
Renewal at 5 years uses the same GBP 66.50 child fee until the child turns 16. A new photo is required at renewal because the child's appearance has changed substantially.
Common Cost Mistakes
- Paying twice for photos. The DIY photo via the GOV.UK photo checker is free. If you want a backup booth photo for the countersignatory to sign, pay once at a booth (GBP 7 to 10 for two prints) rather than twice.
- Using third-party renewal sites. Some sites charge GBP 50 to 100 on top of the GBP 66.50 fee for nothing useful. Apply directly at gov.uk/get-a-child-passport.
- Choosing fast track when standard would suffice. Fast track adds GBP 69 to the cost (GBP 135.50 vs GBP 66.50). Worth it if travel is in 2 to 8 weeks; not worth it if you have 10+ weeks.
- Buying postal when online would do. The postal fee is GBP 80, GBP 13.50 more than online for no benefit.