Dealing with customer documents: caseworker guidance
Tells 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
- Last updated
-
329OctoberAugust20242025 — See all updates
Documents
Dealing with customer documents
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Details
This guidance tells HM Passport Office staff 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
Updates to this page
Published 12 December 2022
Last updated 329 OctoberAugust 2024
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Update history
2026-09-18 15:53
This guidance has been updated in the sections: When we will accept photocopies of documents, to clarify that dual nationals can submit colour photocopies of their full foreign passport for all application types; Why we do not accept copies of documents, to clarify that photocopies of documents can be accepted in circumstances where it is specified in guidance; When we will accept photocopies of documents, to explain we will accept a colour photocopy of a British passport if an adult customer is applying to renew their expired British passport from a country that requires Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK.
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.
Details
This guidance tells HM Passport Office staff 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
Updates to this page
Sign up for emails or print this page
Update history
2026-09-18 15:53
This guidance has been updated in the sections: When we will accept photocopies of documents, to clarify that dual nationals can submit colour photocopies of their full foreign passport for all application types; Why we do not accept copies of documents, to clarify that photocopies of documents can be accepted in circumstances where it is specified in guidance; When we will accept photocopies of documents, to explain we will accept a colour photocopy of a British passport if an adult customer is applying to renew their expired British passport from a country that requires Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK.
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.