During 2007 the UK Identity and Passport Service and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, through their Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates, began the introduction of interviews for certain categories of passport applicants. This significant change is designed to help stop fraudulent passport applications by improving the integrity and security of British passports. The key benefits of the change were to:

·        Help fight passport fraud and forgery;

·        Help protect the UK public from identity theft;

·        Ensure the British passport stays one of the most secure and respected in the world.

Building on the initial introduction of interviews we will also gradually be introducing compulsory interviews for the following passport applicants:

·        Certain customers who are applying for a British passport for the first time;

·        Customers applying for a replacement passport following the loss or theft of numerous passports in a short period;

·        Those customers who change their name, except if that change follows marriage, civil partnership, divorce or dissolution.

In addition to the above the following customers will be required to supply full documentation as if they where applying for a passport for the first time:

·        Customers who have not held a valid British passport for more than 10 years;

·        Customers who are renewing an old style Blue passport;

·        Customers holding a British Overseas Territories passport, other than Gibraltar.

·         

For further details on what documentation will be required please see our pages for those applying for the first time.

Customers should not make any travel arrangements until the new passport is received, as the FCO Embassy/ BHC/? cannot be responsible for costs incurred as a result of disrupted travel plans.

The interview has a vital role within the passport application and in ensuring that customers are the rightful owners of that "identity.”