HM Passport Office (HMPO) has issued an alert to all UK passport holders, urging some to act "as soon as possible" after a fresh warning posted on social media.
Anyone in the UK wishing to travel overseas requires a valid passport to do so, and applicants must hold British nationality to apply for or possess a British passport. However, having British nationality does not automatically guarantee a passport. A new one may not be issued, or an existing one may be confiscated, in a number of circumstances.
These include being under suspicion of a serious crime, being on bail, or having previously been repatriated to the UK at the government's cost without repaying the sum. Many people may also be unaware that a passport never truly belongs to the holder - it remains government property and can be revoked or withdrawn at any point.
Fresh Warning on Social Media
In a fresh warning on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday, HMPO shared crucial advice for British passport holders. The post reads: "Lost your passport? Report it as soon as possible. Doing so helps protect against misuse and allows you to apply for a replacement."
Additional guidance on GOV.UK clarifies that reporting a passport as lost or stolen straight away will "reduce the risk of anyone else using your passport or your identity". A lost or stolen passport can be reported on behalf of someone else if they are unable to do it themselves.
How to Get a New Passport Quickly
For those requiring a new or replacement passport as a matter of urgency, a one-day service is available, although "the earliest you can get an appointment is two days after you apply". The old passport must be surrendered at the appointment.
The new passport will be ready to collect from the passport office four hours after the appointment. This service is exclusively available for adult passport renewals and carries a cost of £239.50.
If overseas and in urgent need of travel documents, applicants may be eligible for an emergency travel document, though a fee will apply. In that case, there is no need to cancel an existing passport immediately, as it will be cancelled automatically as part of the emergency travel document application process.
