Guidance

Dealing with customer documents

Information for HM Passport Office staff about handling supporting documents for British passport applications and when they can or cannot be accepted.

From:: HM Passport Office
Published: 12 December 2022

Documents

Dealing with customer documents (accessible)

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Dealing with customer documents

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Details

HM Passport Office (HMPO) guidance for staff on why customers must send documents to support their claim to a British passport.

It includes information on:

checking and recording documents
the types of documents that can be accepted
birth, adoption, naturalisation and registration documents

Published 12 December 2022

Update history

2026-05-29 12:24
Full details of changes are listed in ‘Changes from last version of this guidance’ section.

2025-11-05 14:54
The guidance has been updated. A full list of changes can be found within the document.

2025-08-29 15:03
This guidance has been updated: to make it clear counter examiners must complete validation checks on documents they review during a counter appointment; and make it clear Document Handling Units will notify examiners of concerns with documents they have validated using forgery codes in Application Received Domain (ARD); to clarify when we will accept digital overseas civil registration documents; to remove reference to the Application Management System (AMS); correct links.

2024-10-03 09:46
Guidance updated to explain when we will accept immigration reference numbers (global web form (GWF) and unique application numbers (UAN) and photocopied and digital documents.

2024-08-27 14:49
This guidance has been updated with formatting changes.

2022-12-12 16:11
First published.