I can’t believe it’s almost 10 years since getting my first adult passport! It’s a little sad that I now have to renew it! For those here wanting to know how to renew your Australian passport in the UK, here is my experience and guide to applying for your renewal.
Australia only has one consulate in the UK and that is in London. If you live outside of London you will need to book travel as you do need to complete the process in person. Plus if you are a Harry Potter fan you will get to see Gringotts?
Disclaimer: This is based on my experience and you should speak to the Passport Office if you are unsure. Here is the link for the UK Australian Embassy Passport Office.
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How long does it take?
Allow at least 4+ weeks for your application as the passport will take up to 3 weeks to arrive and you need to allow time to book an appointment with the Passport Office. If you are in a rush there is an express service that will come at a cost but you can get your new passport within 2 days after the appointment.
Here is a timeline and guide for the process:
Renewal Cost
Your new passport will cost the price of an ordinary adult passport, plus an overseas processing charge and special delivery charge. As the prices increase every year check the latest Australian Passport fees here. The website shows prices in Pounds (GBP) and Australian Dollars (AUD).
Renewing your passport in 2019 will cost £239 ($425 AUD). The cost breakdown is £165.00 ($293 AUD) for a 10-year passport, £74.00 ($132 AUD) for the application to be processed overseas and £6.50 for postage.
If you need your passport quicker than 3 weeks you can get the priority processing which is 2 business days at an extra cost of £121 ($215 AUD).
Get New Passport Photos
UK passport photos are a different size to Australian passport photos. It’s super easy to get alternative sizes. You will need to go to a photo store like Snappy Snaps and they will ask you what type of passport photo you need and next thing you know you have Australian passport sized photos.
Australian passport minimum photo size is 45mm x 35mm or larger to be accepted. If your photograph is larger than these measurements DO NOT trim it to size. The size of your head in the photograph must measure from bottom of chin to crown of head 32mm to 36mm.
More about the passport photo guidelines here.
Complete the Renewal Application Form Online
To apply for the renewal you need to meet the follow criteria and be over 18:
• was issued when you were 16 years of age or over; and
• was valid for at least two years when issued; and
• was issued in your current name, date of birth and sex; and
• is current or expired less than three years ago.
If you meet the criteria then you can continue with the online application form. First, you will need to create an
It will ask you to provide information on your current passport details, personal information and emergency contact details. The form will take less than two minutes to complete.
If you wish to get a physical form you will need to contact the Passport Office and they will post one out to you.
Save a copy to your computer and record the application number. Print out the form, sign it and attached the photos. One photo needs to have your first and last name with your signature on the back. All instructions will be on the front of the form if you need to double check anything.
Book an Appointment
The Passport Office in London now has an online booking service, simply click here and book an appointment. To book an appointment by phone, call 020 7887 5816 between the hours of 9am-12pm on weekdays. The London Passport office operates on an appointment system and will not accept walk-ins.
Booking times are only available from 9 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday and they will be closed on Australian and UK holidays. Your appointment will need to fall within these hours.
The Passport Office will give you a confirmation number which you will need to note down and take on the day.
For further information about lodging your application please click here.
For those that can wait and don’t want to travel to London, there is also an Outreach Center that is run by the Passport Office. For more information on these types of appointments here.
Lodge the application in person
The Passport Office is located at:
Australian High Commission
Australia House
Strand
LONDON WC2B 4LA
If you are visiting an Outreach Center the Passport Office will provide you with location details.
On the day of your appointment make sure you get there 10 to 15 minutes early. The Passport Office has airport style security. On arrival you press the buzzer telling the security guard that you have an appointment; they only let one person in at a time.
Once you are through security you’ll reach a computer screen into which you enter your booking confirmation and it will print you a ticket with your number. There is a waiting area whilst you wait for your number to be called.
When the Passport Clerk calls you up you simply present the form with the passport photos and your passport. Once they are happy with your application and accepted payment they will cancel the old passport by cutting off the long edge of the cover. Your old passport will be handed back to you afterwards.
Your new passport will be posted to you and can take up to 3 weeks to be delivered.
Do You Need To Transfer Your Visa To Your New Passport?
Most visas are now on the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) cards but if you have an old style visa like me, that is in your old passport then all you need to do is carry both passports with you when you are travelling. If you have a BRP card then your old passport can be put away and be a reminder of all the adventures you’ve had together.
There is an option to get your visa turned into a BRP card, although it’s an expensive process that I feel is unnecessary.
Renewing Your Australian Passport in the UK (Video)
Kat
Hi, I’m Kat, an Australian that moved to London in 2013 to start a new adventure. What a roller-coaster that was! I love helping others move to the UK and people explore the world! I’d be honoured if you’d say, “Thanks!” with a £3 coffee on Ko-fi.
Comments
58 responses to “How to Renew your Australian Passport in the UK”
Hi,i ve been and work in uk nearly 20 years,my australian passport expired about 9 years ago and now i m thinking to go back for a visit, will they renew it or i ll have problem doing it.Thanks
Hi Perry,
You will need to apply for a new passport as the time elapse doesn’t qualify for a renewal. If you take the questionnaire here https://ppol.passports.gov.au/web/forms/entrypoint.aspx it will guide you through what you are eligible for and next steps.
Cheers,
Kat
That is incorrect Kat. There is the risk that the airline refuse Dual Citizens to board the plane if they don’t travel on their Australian passport. See note from the High Commission in London:
https://uk.embassy.gov.au/lhlh/DualNationals.html
Hi Riccardo,
That’s handy for other people to know. I don’t cover in the article what dual citizen need to do as I am on a UK visa so thank you for the advice.
Cheers,
Kat
Hi Kat,
I am a dual national and am going to Australia in Dec and travelling on my uk passport as my Australian passport has ran out, I’ve applied for a visa as only going for 2 weeks and it has been denied as it says I’m in Australia?? Not sure what to do, any suggestions?
Hi Helen,
Do you have time to get a new Australian Passport? By the sounds of it if you are still registered in Australia than they would be expecting you to enter on your Australian passport. I would give them a bell and check what you should do.
Sorry I cannot be more helpful.
Kat
Hi Kat,
Great guide!
I do have 2 questions.
My understanding is that they will cut the edge off your old passport but you will still receive it back at the appointment. Are you aware if you can still use it to travel whilst you wait for your new passport to arrive, or does cutting it making it obsolete?
You also mentioned Express service. I have tried to find out how much this additional service would cost but not found a good source. Would you happen to know this, or a ballpark figure?
Thank you in advance.
El
Hi El,
Once they cut your passport you can’t travel with the old passport, so it does make it obsolete.
The fee for the express service (Priority Processing Fee) is £105, you can find more of the fees here. https://uk.embassy.gov.au/lhlh/Pportfees.html
Hope that helps!
Kat
Hi Kat, I’m a UK student and used to have a Aust passport as I was born there but have lived in the UK for nearly all my life. I’m going back to Australia and am thinking of just using my UK
passport and getting a Visa.
That said if I do that and decide in Australia to get a new Aust passport will that cause me a problem?
Thanks
Phoenix
Hi Phoenix,
I can only go on what the Australian Government says https://uk.embassy.gov.au/lhlh/DualNationals.html which is that there is the risk that the airline refuses Dual Citizens to board the plane if they don’t travel on their Australian passport. I guess it’s up to you to take the risk and I am not sure if renewing in Australia will cause an issue.
If you do want to get an Australian passport you will need to apply for a new passport (due to the timelapse).
Cheers,
Kat
Hi Kat,
Thanks for all your help with this . My partner got a UK ancestory visa and has her de-facto i got one to. She left before me and i’m due to leave next week. My Aus passport expires in April of 2019 so i’ll be there with slightly more than 6 months left on my visa. Should apply online now to make an appointment for as soon as i enter the U.K ? The company my partner used to secure the work and to help with the visas have said they i should have no problem entering the U.K with this amount of time still on the visa?
Thanks
Hi Kane,
As long as you have a valid passport and visa then like your visa company says it will be fine. Personally, I don’t like my passport validity to go under 6 months as it can stop you from travelling in some countries and I like to travel ;). It’s a quick application so I would just apply when you arrive in the country and then you can get an appointment at the same time :).
Cheers,
Kat
Hi Kat I am a dual citizen but born in the U.K. I emigrated to Australia and gained my Australian passport after 2 years of living there. I eventually came back to the UK and my passport has since expired (10 years ago). I have an appointment to renew/apply for a new one but am not sure what I need to bring with me. I got married since so presumably my old passport, UK passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate? Passport photos? Original citizenship certificate?
Hi Annie, for a renewal the only evidence I needed was my passport. It’s been over 10 years ago that I applied for my adult passport, if I remember correctly I took my application with two passport photos, my child passport (in your case your last Aussie passport if you still have it) and birth certificate. I think as you say proof that you’re an aussie citizen and marriage certificate. The passport office will be able to tell you definitively what you need. ?
Kat
Hi Kat, I have an Australian passport due for renewal Feb 19 with Uk residence permit.Living in Scotland. Do I just follow your advise to make a booking in London office or have there been any recent changes to this ? Thanks in advance
Sandra
Hi Sandra, as I understand the only passport office is in London and there are no other recommendations on the embassy website, see here https://uk.embassy.gov.au/lhlh/pas123.html so yes you’d have to come to London.
Cheers
Kat
Last time I renewed in the UK I did it all online and by mail – quick and efficient. Now I find I have book ahead and make an appointment IN LONDON, which means a long and expensive return rail trip plus more expense on staying overnight in London because of inconvenient train timetables. This is an onerous imposition.
Hi Tony,
I can imagine it’s super frustrating the additional expense. I guess there was some sort of issue that they are trying to address by making us all attend an interview. Hope you manage to find something affordable.
Update: You can also go to an outreach center for more information go to https://uk.embassy.gov.au/lhlh/Outreach.html.
Cheers, Kat
Hi, I’m just about to renew my Australian passport and thought it might be helpful to let you know that the Australian consulate offer outreach centers thru out the year across the country, you just have to keep checking the sight, I’ve gotten my appointment next week in Manchester
Hi Kat
Im an Australian Dual citizen and rwturned to the Uk after emigrating to look after a sick parwnt..My Oz passport expired in 2005 .Can I renew it ?.There is an embassy in Dublin.Do you think there will be any issues as Im.travelling to Brisbane nxt June 2019.Thanks.
Hi Samantha,
You will need to apply for a new passport, not a renewal. Here are the requirements for a renewal:
was issued when you were 16 years of age or older, and
was valid for at least two years when issued, and
was issued in your current name, date of birth, place of birth and sex, and
is current or expired less than three years ago.
There shouldn’t be any issues you travelling to Aus once you get your passport sorted :).
Cheers, Kat
Hi, I am an Australian citizen with dual citizenship, I live in UK but Dublin passport office is nearer than London. Am I ok to renew my Australian passport in dublin
Hi Daniel, I’m not sure, you would have to call. It’s just a standard number for the appointment lines 020 7887 5816 so it won’t cost much to call and double check.
Cheers, Kat
Hi Kat, great site thanks for all the advice. Do you have any info on the interview process at the AU High Commission? I have dual nationality and want to review my AU passport as it expires soon. The AU Passport Office refers to a 15min interview… any insights?
Many thanks,
Howard
Sandra,
This information might come too late but the Australian Embassy holds outreach interviews several times a year for those who are some distance from London (see here: https://uk.embassy.gov.au/lhlh/Outreach.html) It looks as though they will be in Edinburgh on 22, 23, 24, 25 January 2019, so you might be able to get one of those appointments rather than travelling all the way down to London!
Hope that helps.
Regards, Steph
Hi Howard,
During my appointment, I just gave my form and passport, the lady double checked my documents and had a general chit chat. Asked if I was travelling in case my application would clash with a trip and then paid for the appointment. Nothing too exciting really.
Kat
Cheers Kat. I’ve been away in the UK for the last five years and was curious if they were doing some sort of Aussie Citizen test….! Thankfully it sounds not – phew!
Once I have my renewal I’ll post an update.
Thanks for the speedy reply.
Howard
Hi Kat
Excellent website, thanks! Just one question – I am a dual national (born in Australia but lived in UK most of my life). My Australian passport has expired (lass than 2 years ago). I wish to renew it but I have changed my name since my last passport. Apparently, I can’t use my UK marriage certificate as proof of name change but have to apply to NSW Births Deaths and Marriages for a name change certificate. It looks pretty complicated on the NSW website and suggests I can only apply for a change of name if the name change was due to wedding which took place in NSW (it wasn’t – we married in UK).
Do you know anything?
Thanks
Hi Claire,
I’ve never had to deal with a name change so I am not sure on the process for register marriage. I thought you would have just had to apply for a marriage certificate https://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/Pages/marriages-relationships/marriage-certificate.aspx as you say it says that you need to have been married in NSW. The only other option I can see is https://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/Documents/apply-for-name-change-replacement-certificate.pdf which could be an option. Probably best to give them a call as this would not be a new situation at all.
Kat
Hi Kat,
I am in Norfolk and wishing to change my Australian passport due to changing it to my married name. When I have to go to an appointment, does it have to be in London? Or are there places all around the country close to myself?
Thanks,
Elana
Hi Elana,
There is outreach centre as well that travel around the UK which you can find out more about here https://uk.embassy.gov.au/lhlh/Outreach.html. If these don’t work for you then London is the next option.
Kat
Hey Kat,
Did you have trouble getting through to book the appointment? I’ve been calling all morning and its USER BUSY every time! Onto my 12th attempt now.
Thanks
Ellen
Hey Kat,
Wondering if you can help me here. I’m an Australian currently living in the UK. I’m on an indefinite leave to remain partner visa and have been here for three years. Recently I had my biometric card stolen, I’ve reported it and made an application for a new one, went to the appointment etc. It says it can take up to eight weeks. Its now been eleven weeks and nothing – I’ve tried to call the home office TWICE and they basically can’t give me any information or help whatsoever.
I need to get my Australian Passport renewed (expired November 2018). Are you aware if your biometric card is a requirement for having your passport renewed?
Many thanks in advance.
Oh no! That’s super annoying! I once read on one of the expat forums that on lady didn’t get her replacement for 1.5 years. Sometimes their service is just super poor, especially with all the changes.
I didn’t have to show my visa when I applied, just brought my passport along and renewed it. I have asked my friend at the passport office to confirm :).
She said: We don’t need to see the BRP card when renewing a passport. As long as the passport was a full validity passport we just need the one-page renewal form, most recent passport, and Aussie standard passport photos. They’ll need to call us and book an appointment to lodge the application (we currently have a seven-week wait). We can’t assist with getting the BRP card as this is through UKVI, but hopefully, it comes soon!
Update – anyone applying for Aussie Passports… There’s been a massive influx of people applying for Aussie passports, in Aus and globally not just here in the UK, add into that staffing issues and their wait times have exploded. Jan and Feb are usually supposed to be our “quiet months” but turns out they are super busy. Expect a 7 week wait time for passport appointments,
Hi. Just replaced my passport in Bristol ( beats going to London ) was booked in for two weeks later and the visit took all of 5 mins , I had my photograph taken at Timpson key cutting service at Barry Morrisons store ( £9.90p ) and my passport arrived well on time..the moral of the story wait until they come to a city near you and save yourself a load of hassel.
Hi, I’m Studying in Norway on a student visa (lived in the UK previously on the Tier 5) it is coming up to passport renewal and was thinking of doing it fast track in London (no consulate in Norway and they recommend going to Demark) before I apply for my Canadian Youth Mobility Visa. Will it matter if I am just visiting the UK? WIll I need an address in the UK as I will be staying in a hotel most likely and if I book it all abroad could I get it done in a week (As I plan to pop over to the UK for a week to do this)? Do they post the passport out or is there an option to pick it up at Australia house?
Hi Dan,
Here is the answer from the passport FAQs page:
Applicants who reside outside the UK should lodge their application at the High Commission/Embassy/Consulate where they reside.
If you are resident outside of the UK and wish to use the priority service (additional fee applies) to lodge in person at the London office, you may do so if:
1. You can provide a residential address to post the new passport to within the UK*
2. You will be available in the UK for a minimum of 2 days to process the application in the event additional information or processing is required (if loding an application for a child who does not reside in the UK the child must also attend the interview).
3. The guarantor and non lodging parent are available to be contacted during the 2 days to process the application.
4. An appointment is made in advance.
*In some circumstance the client maybe able to collect the passport from the Passport Office, but this will be determined by the London Office on a case by case basis.
You can find further information here: https://uk.embassy.gov.au/lhlh/PptsFAQs.html.
Kat
2 of my children are applying for their first adult passport can they do that on line and also,can I renew a child passport on line
Hi Emma, The applications can be done by the online portal as I understand but you will need to provide more information than an adult renewal. For the first Australian passport you will need to provide more information. You can find all the information here: https://www.passports.gov.au/passports-explained/adult-quick-guide-applying-passport. Here are the details about children’s passports https://www.passports.gov.au/passports-explained/childrens-passports when you click the Application for an Australian Passport – Overseas (PC8) form, if the child is overseas it will direct you to the online portal.
Kat
Hi kat can you tell me if I need a garontor to sign for me if I already have an Australian passport?
And also my passport has just expired (March) can I still fill in a p7
Hi Mike,
For my renewal, I didn’t need a guarantor. For a new passport I am pretty sure you do. You can fill in a renewal if your passport is current or expired less than three years ago.
Kat
Hi Kat,
I am trying to renew my passport from Scotland and want to know how to pay? The online information says no cheques. What else can I do?
Hi Kerrie, I paid at my appointment not online. Although it was in the London office not an Outreach Center. I would just give them a quick call :). Kat
My last passport ran out 19 years ago I live in Scotland went to Edinburgh for
first passport ,second one sent to London sent old passport down .how do I go about getting new passport still have my two old ones
Hi Frank,
You would need to apply for a new passport as it’s been expired for a while. It’s pretty simple, fill out the online application, get your birth cert or whatever supporting citizenship info you have, photos, get a guarantor to sign form and photo and lastly book an appointment either at an outreach centre or go to London.
More information here: https://www.passports.gov.au/passports-explained/overseas-quick-guide-applying-passport
Kat
How much does it cost to renew my Australian passport in London and can I get forms instead of applying online?
Hi Kat is it possible for a solicitor to do my Aus passport without traveling to London as I live in Yorkshire and not very mobile.
The Australia Passport office does outreach centre which you can visit instead of coming to London. If you need your passport quicker and there isn’t an outreach centre on the dates you need then you need to go to London. Next outreach is in Edinburgh from 22, 23, 24 and 25 October 2019. https://uk.embassy.gov.au/lhlh/outreachvisits.html
Hi Matt,
Will cost £239 ($425 AUD) – you can read the cost breakdown in the post. You could call the passport office to see if they will send you a paper form.
Kat
Dear Kat
My name is Joseph Posner. I am an Australian Citizen with a Queensland birth certificate and expired Australian passport that was issued in 2003, which was valid for 5 years.
I am also a British citizen with a UK passport and I have been living here my whole life, I am now 25 years old.
I am preparing my application for a new Australian passport, however I am slightly confused at the process for acknowledging a name change for personal reasons.
My name was changed at a very young age, I was two, and I have some, but limited documentation to support this. It was changed through a Uk solicitor, and I have a copy of the original deed poll, as the original is no longer available.
My British passport reflects my name change, which is my current name, but my expired Australian passport has the name on my birth certificate.
It is a minor name change, my original surname was denounced, and one of my given names was made by surname.
In order to proceed with my Australian passport application, am I required to send documentation to the Queensland registrar from overseas, to document my name change? If so, what documents do i need considering I have never really lived in Australia, only born there.
Or would there be an alternative preferred course of action?
Many Thanks, Joseph Posner
Hi Kat,
Thanks for the very helpful guidance. I would like to ask just one question please. Do they accept credit card for payment of the new passport or do they accept cash only. Thank you.
Best regards,
Brandon Chow
I paid with my card so they do take card payment. Not sure if they take cash payment.
Hi Kat,l have filled form online and received ref number, will they now post documents to me,or do l have to print them off myself to take to London
Hi Brian, I printed the form myself. You can also look out for outreach centre instead of travelling to London. As far as I am aware they aren’t running any more until the current situation is over but you can follow it here: https://uk.embassy.gov.au/lhlh/outreachvisits.html. However if you need one quickly then London is your best bet :).
Kat
Just a simple note to say heart felt Thank You ! Your blog is so clear and so detailed that any Aussie (especially, this one from Perth) could renew their passport with their eyes closed. Thank you and wish you all the best !
Thank you! I am also from Perth :D!