The HM Passport Office has issued a warning that many UK residents may unknowingly possess an invalid passport. A valid passport is essential for international travel, and failure to sign it properly could render it unusable.
Upon receiving a new passport, holders aged 11 and over must sign it in black ballpoint pen on the holder's signature line. The Passport Office stated on X: "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."
According to Gov.uk, a passport is not a valid travel document until it has been signed. If a mistake is made—such as signing the wrong name—the passport may be invalid for travel. However, passports issued with a digitally printed signature remain valid until their expiry date.
To avoid invalidation, never sign with pencil or coloured ink, include extra information, or use a signature that differs from your usual one. Additionally, do not rub out, strike through, or apply correction fluid to the signature, as this could damage the page.
Current passport fees are £94.50 for online applications and £107 for paper forms, with child passports costing £61.50 online or £74 by paper. The Passport Office advises signing the new passport immediately upon receipt.
