UK passport holders are being warned that their travel documents could be invalid if they fail to sign them. The Passport Office has issued an alert reminding people that most passports for those over 11 must be signed before they can be used for travel.
In a post on X, the Passport Office stated: "Don't forget to sign your passport! Most people over the age of 11 will need to sign their passport, and can't use it until it's signed. Unless your passport states 'The holder is not required to sign', you must use a black ballpoint pen [and] sign on the holder's signature line."
Guidance on Gov.uk further explains: "A passport is not a valid travel document until the holder has signed it. HM Passport Office advises customers to sign their new passport as soon as they receive it." The guidance also warns that signing with the wrong name or using pencil, coloured ink, or an unusual signature could invalidate the document.
Passport holders are advised never to rub out a pencil signature, as this could damage the page, and to avoid crossing out, amending, or using correction fluid on the signature. Passports issued with a digitally printed signature remain valid until their expiry date.
