Changes to Passport Rules

Young people aged 16 or 17 will be able to apply for a passport without parental consent, the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) announced today.

The new measure will bring passports in line with modern legal practice for 16 and 17 year olds. Parental consent will still be needed where a court order requires it or the young person has a mental disability.

The conclusions of a review of policy on passports for children also agreed that all passport renewals for children under 11 will require a counter signatory. IPS will no longer require parental views before issuing passports to 16 and 17 year olds who have changed name.  The measures will come into force on 10 December.

Home Office Minister Meg Hillier said:

“Today’s changes will bring passport practice into line with court practice on allowing young people to take responsibility for their own decisions.

“At the same time a new requirement will be introduced for children aged 11 or under for passport renewals to be countersigned. It is important that we positively identify children so that passports cannot be used to facilitate child abduction or human trafficking.”

www.ips.gov.uk or call the IPS Adviceline on 0870 5210410.

30 October 2007