Immigration Corner | How to change a child’s name on a British passport

Dear Mr Bassie,

Please tell me how I should go about changing my child’s name on a British passport. Any assistance would help.

NM

Dear NM,

Please note that a child will need to get a new passport if he/she has changed their name. Persons should fill in the passport application with the name that they want printed on the passport.

It is advisable that persons contact the Passport Adviceline, if changing any other personal details on a child passport. This could include date of birth, place of birth or national status.

APPLY ONLINE

Persons can apply for a new child passport online and the cost is £57.50. They will need a digital photo of the child (or a device that takes digital photos), and they will be told where to send their supporting documents when applying.

If the child is under 12 years old, the parent will need to ask someone to confirm the identity after they have submitted the application.

Let the person know that they will receive an email from HM Passport Office telling them what to do. They will confirm the child’s identity online – they do not need to sign a printed photo.

It is best to find out online who can confirm the child’s identity and what they need to do.

APPLY BY POST

When applying by post it costs £69.

Persons can apply by post by either getting a paper form from a post office that offers the Passport Check and Send service, or contacting the Passport Adviceline to get a form posted to the parent/applicant.

Please note that sections 1, 2, 3, 4 and 9 of the form should be filled in. Please note that the child needs to sign Section 6 if they are 12 years old or over.

If the child is 11 years old or under or cannot be recognised from their old passport photo he/she will need to get someone else, known as a ‘countersignatory’, to fill in section 10 and certify your child’s photo.

Persons are advised to read the booklet that comes with the form if they need help with the application.

To send in the application, persons can either post their form, photos and documents using the pre-printed envelope that comes with the form; or they can take their form, photos and documents to the post office if they want to use the Passport Check and Send service.

SIGNING THE APPLICATION

It is important to note that someone with parental responsibility must sign the form. If the child is 12 to 15 years old, they need to sign the form as well.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

Persons must send:

• The old passport;

• A deed poll or similar document about the name change;

• At least one piece of evidence that shows the new name being used, for example, the National Health Service records, child benefits or school records;

• Written consent from everyone with parental responsibility;

• Two new photos of the child, if applying by post.

Please note, the documents will be sent back by normal post, but persons can pay an extra £5 to get them sent by secure delivery. Choose this service on the application if this method is preferred.

The new passport will be sent via courier or Royal Mail. They will either:

• Post it through the letterbox;

• Hand it to persons if they are home;

• Leave a card or post a letter saying how it can get be received (it will not say the package is the passport).

Please be aware that the passport application can be tracked online.

All the best,

John S. Bassie is a barrister/attorney-at-law who practises law in Jamaica. He is a justice of the peace, a Supreme Court-appointed mediator, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a chartered arbitrator, the past global president of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (UK). Email: lawbassie@yahoo.com