It is possible to renew your British passport wherever you are, even if you are a British citizen who is visiting the United States or already living there. We will show you how to renew your British passport in the United States.
The UK Passport Renewal and Application Process from Overseas
To renew a UK passport, you used to need to visit and make an appointment at a British consulate. However, this is no more necessary. You can now apply online for a passport. In certain circumstances, however, interview may be necessary. The UK passport service advises that passport renewal applications take approximately four weeks.
To ensure that you submit the correct application, we recommend the use of the passport service checker. This service will ask you questions about your location, whereabouts you are currently living, your birth date, whether you have ever held a UK passport, if you have lost or stolen a passport, the authority that issued it, how long ago, and what your passport’s nationality is. After completing this process, you will be able to determine if your passport can be renewed and what type of application (e.g. adult renewal). The online application system allows you to apply from overseas.
Step 1: Take a digital picture
Digital technology has opened up a variety of options for applicants to take their passport photos. These include using a smartphone, a booth or a shop. The following requirements must be met:
- Be clear and focused
- Be in color
- Computer software cannot be modified
- At least 600 pixels in width and 750 pixels high
- Minimum 50kb and maximum 10mb
- You cannot contain any other objects or persons
- be taken against a plain, light-coloured background
- Be in stark contrast to the background
- Not have the’red eye.
Also, you must ensure that:
- Are facing forwards, and looking directly at the camera
- Keep your mouth shut and keep your expression simple
- Keep your eyes wide open and be visible
- Do not wear hair in front of you eyes
- A head covering is not necessary unless you are using it for religious or medical reasons.
- Do not wear anything on your face
- Do not let shadows get in your eyes or behind.
- You should not wear sunglasses or tinted spectacles
Professional passport photo services can provide a code that you can enter on the Home Office website to renew your application. This is an alternative to uploading a digital image.
Step 2: Apply online and pay for the passport renewal fee
Once you have your digital photograph (or code), it is possible to apply for a renew uk passport in the usa. You will then need to fill in all the information required for your application, as well as pay the application fee. The current application fee for the US is PS86. You will also need to pay a PS19.86 postage fee to have your passport sent to you in the US.
Step 3: Send your passport back to the UK passport office
After your application has been accepted and paid all fees, you will be asked to return your passport to the UK passport office. To ensure that your passport arrives safely, we recommend using a tracked courier.
After your application has been approved and processed, your passport will be sent at the address you provided in your application.
What if I’m in the US and need to renew my British passport urgently?
Sometimes, it may not be possible to wait for three to four weeks. You may be required to apply for an emergency travel document if you are an expat and have to return home immediately for medical reasons or because your passport expired in the US while you were traveling. If you are:
- Are a British citizen
- Are outside the UK
- Have a passport that has just expired
You don’t have the time or patience to renew your passport before you travel
You can show proof of your travel plans by providing booking confirmations or detailed written travel plans if it is not possible to book in advance.
A Travel Document is an Emergency Travel Document that allows you to travel to your destination via a maximum of five countries. If necessary, you can also use it to return to the USA at the end. Noting that the process for securing an emergency travel document is not instant, it may take up to 2 days. This could be due to COVID-19 and if:
You applied for a child younger than 16
You have not provided the correct supporting documents or paid for them.
You have not provided enough or accurate information
You will need to fill out the online application and pay a fee for PS100. It is possible that you will need to visit your nearest British consulate or embassy. You will be informed if this happens when you apply.
Last words
You have two options if you’re in the US and you don’t have a valid British passport. These will allow you to travel to the USA.