US Passport Renewal In UK (2023) Cost & How

Over 166,000 Americans are living in the United Kingdom and they get to relish frequent weekend trips to surrounding European countries. This implies that a valid US passport is non-negotiable for American ex-pats living in the United Kingdom. A lot of American passports carry a validity of 10 years however, it is always recommended that you renew your passport before it expires.

Citizens of the United States of America are mandated to move in and out of the country with a valid passport. Hence, American ex-pats living in the United Kingdom are required to process their United States Passport Renewal in the United Kingdom upon the expiry of their current passport. American nationals living in the United Kingdom can renew their US passport via mail to the US Embassy in London. 

Can I Renew My US Passport In The United Kingdom? 

American ex-pats living in the United Kingdom can renew their American passport at the US Embassy in Londo0n via mail. The Passport Office of the US Embassy in the United Kingdom makes passport renewal services available to American ex-pats living in England and Wales. Americans living in Northern Ireland are required to apply for a passport renewal at the Consulate General in Belfast. However, Americans residing in Scotland are required to apply for a passport renewal at the Consulate General in Edinburgh. 

How To Renew Your American Passport in the United Kingdom 

American Nationals are eligible to process their US passport renewal in the United Kingdom by mail if they own:

1. An undamaged passport.
2. A passport with 10-year validity.
3. A passport with their current name.
4. A passport that was issued in the last 15 years.
5. Legal documents establishing a change of name if applicable.

If you satisfy any of the eligibility conditions above, you will be required to download a passport renewal application form at https://uk.usembassy.gov/ to kick off the process of your US passport renewal in the United Kingdom. Next, you will be required to print, complete, and sign the form appropriately. 

Afterward, if you reside in England and Wales you will be required to enclose your passport renewal application form and other supporting documents in a mail envelope and send it through the Royal Mail Special Delivery and address it to the United States Embassy at: 

United States Embassy

Passport & Citizenship Unit

33 Nine Elms Lane

London, SW11 7US.

Additionally, you will be required to enclose a self-addressed pre-paid Royal Mail Special Delivery envelope in the envelope that you used to send your passport renewal application to the US Embassy. On the other hand, you can choose to submit your passport renewal application through the DX courier service. You can contact them at https://www.dxdelivery.com/. 

American nationals in Scotland and Northern Ireland can mail their applications to the Consulate General in Edinburgh and Belfast respectively. 

United States Passport Renewal In The United Kingdom For Children

The parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of a child that is below 16 years of age are required to book an appointment in the name of the Child with the US Embassy in the United Kingdom to process a Child’s US passport renewal in the United Kingdom. Afterward, they are required to download, print, and complete but not sign the passport renewal application form for Children. 

Next, they are required to attend the appointment at the US Embassy in the United Kingdom with the child or children taking along the passport renewal application form and the necessary supporting documents. If your child will require an emergency passport in about two weeks you must talk it over with the consulate official during your appointment. 

Required Documents To Renew Your US passport In The United Kingdom 

Certain documents are required to process your US passport renewal in the United Kingdom. Failure to provide these required documents will result in a delay in the processing time of your passport renewal application. 

The required documents to process your US passport in the United Kingdom comprise:

1. Your completed passport renewal application form.
2. A colored passport photograph that satisfies the passport photograph requirements of the US passport office. 
3. Your Current U.S passport.
4. A self-addressed and pre-paid Royal Mail Special Delivery return envelope or a DX courier envelope. 
5. A Proof of a Change of name if applicable. 
6. Passport renewal application fee. 
7. Your Social Security Number or a signed and dated statement that indicates that you don’t have it if you don’t.

Required Documents To Renew Your Child’s US Passport In The United Kingdom 

The Parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of a child are required to provide the required documents to process a child’s US passport renewal in the United Kingdom. The following documents are required to process a Child’s US passport renewal in the United Kingdom:

1. A completed but unsigned children’s passport renewal application form.
2. A colored passport photograph that satisfies the passport photograph requirements of the US passport office. 
3. Original copy and one photocopy of proof of parental relationship showing parent(s), or legal guardian(s) names.
4. Child’s current US passport.
5. Original copy and one photocopy of the data page of the parent’s ID card. 
6. A self-addressed and pre-paid Royal Mail Special return delivery envelope.
7. Passport renewal application fee.
8. Your Child’s Social Security Number or a signed and dated statement indicating that your child doesn’t have it if he/she doesn’t have a Social security number. 

If one parent or legal guardian was present for the passport renewal application appointment, they must provide a Statement of Consent form notarized by the absent parent or custodial guardian. However, if you have sole legal authority over your child, you will be required to provide official documentation that might be any of the following:

1. An original copy of the Child’s birth certificate indicating you as the only parent.
2. An official copy of the death certificate of the absent parent.
3. An authorized copy of an official adoption order indicating you as the only parent. 
4. A comprehensive court decree granting the singular custody of the child. 
5. An authorized copy of the legal declaration of incompetence of the absent parent.
6. A comprehensive court decree that specifically allows you to apply solely for the Child’s passport. 

Cost of Renewing Your US Passport In The United Kingdom 

The cost of renewing a Child’s US passport in the United Kingdom costs $135 and an extra fee of $15 for a Passport Card. The US passport renewal of an adult in the United Kingdom costs £102 or $130 and an extra fee of £24 or $30 for a passport card. 

The payment methods accepted by the US Embassy for an adult US passport renewal application in the United Kingdom by mail are online payment, postal money order in Pounds sterling or US Dollars payable to the US Department of State, and a Bank Draft in pounds sterling or US Dollars also payable to the US Department of State. You will be required to attach your payment or proof of payment to the top right corner of your passport renewal application form. Personal cheques are not acceptable.

The payment methods accepted by the US Embassy for a Child’s US passport renewal application in the United Kingdom are credit or debit cards in US Dollars and Cash which might be in pounds sterling or US Dollars. The Parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of a child are expected to make payment for the Child’s passport renewal application at the US Embassy at the time of appointment. However, the US Consulate General in Edinburgh does not accept cash payments. 

How Long Does It Take To Get A US Passport In The United Kingdom 

The Standard processing time for a US passport renewal in the United Kingdom is about three weeks in London. However, In Scotland and Northern Ireland, the standard processing time for a passport renewal is about 10 working days. If you are required to make an emergency trip, please contact the nearby US Embassy to you for assistance. 

Closing 

American citizens living in England and Wales can now process their US passport renewal in the United Kingdom by sending mail to the US Embassy in London. However, American ex-pats living in Scotland and Northern Ireland can apply for their passport renewal via mail at the Consulate General in Edinburgh and Belfast respectively. 

The child’s US passport renewal application requires that the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the Child book an appointment with the US Embassy in the name of the Child involved. I would love to hear from you so please feel free to drop your comments, thoughts, and opinions in the comment section below. I can’t wait to read or hear from you so please keep your comments or thoughts coming in. 

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