The UK fast track service lets eligible applicants receive a renewed passport within one week of their in-person HMPO appointment. It covers renewals, name changes, lost/stolen replacements, and child applications.
If you need a new passport in a hurry, the UK’s fast track passport service gets a renewed or replacement passport to you within a week of an in-person HM Passport Office (HMPO) appointment. It covers renewals, name changes, and lost, stolen or damaged passport replacements, and costs £192 for an adult standard book at 2026 rates. This guide covers eligibility, fees, documents, and what the process involves if you’re new to the UK’s passport system.
At Remitly, we know many readers are settling into life in a new country, and we hope this helps you feel a little more confident booking your appointment.
At a Glance
- Fast Track gives you a new passport in about one week after an in-person HMPO appointment
- 2026 Fast Track fees are £192 for adults and £156.50 for children, paid online only
- Appointments run at seven HMPO offices, the one week countdown starts from your appointment
What is the UK fast track passport service?
The UK Fast Track passport service is an official HM Passport Office (HMPO) urgent processing route that issues a new passport in about one week after an in-person appointment. It is distinct from HMPO’s 1-Day Premium service, which provides same-day collection. Fast Track is a government service — not a commercial third-party offering.
Who Is Eligible for Fast Track Passport Renewal?
You can use fast track to renew an adult or child passport, replace one that’s lost, stolen or damaged, change personal details such as your name, or apply for a child’s first passport. It doesn’t cover a first passport for an adult. If this would be your first British passport as an adult, you’ll need the standard service instead, which takes longer.
Eligible application types:
- Adult passport renewal
- Child passport renewal
- First child passport
- Replacement of lost, stolen, or damaged passports
- Changes to personal details
- Additional passports
If you’re a British national living or working abroad but currently in the UK, you can use fast track in the same way as any other applicant, as long as you can attend your appointment in person at a UK passport office and provide a UK delivery address.
For readers settling in the UK from elsewhere like Morocco, it’s worth knowing that fast track doesn’t ask about your address history or immigration status — it’s a British passport service, separate from applying for a UK residence permit or visa. Your old passport and the standard application details are all the fast track itself needs.
How Much Does a Fast Track Passport Cost in 2026?
HM Passport Office’s 2026 urgent-service fees took effect on 8 April 2026, and the Fast Track prices below are taken from Gov.uk’s get a passport urgently and passport fees pages.
| Passport type | Adult 34-page | Adult 54-page frequent traveller | Child 34-page | Child 54-page frequent traveller |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Track (1-Week) | £192 | £206 | £156.50 | £170.50 |
| Standard Online Application | £102 | £116 | £66.50 | £80.50 |
Key notes:
- Fast Track is significantly more expensive than the standard online service but offers a guaranteed one-week turnaround after your appointment
- Fees are non-refundable if you miss your appointment; late cancellations incur a £34.50 administration fee
- Payment is online only at the time of booking.
Source: GOV.UK — Get a passport urgently and Passport fees.
What Documents Do You Need for a Fast Track Appointment?
HMPO requires you to bring specific documents to your 1-Week Fast Track appointment so staff can verify your identity and eligibility. Requirements vary slightly by application type.
Core documents for all fast track applicants
- Your current or most recent passport (if you have one)
- A digital passport photo uploaded during the online application
- Your application reference number (PEX) from your confirmation email/text
- Payment confirmation (HMPO already has this, but bring proof if possible)
Adult specifications
Bring the following to your appointment:
- Your current passport – HMPO checks it and returns it immediately
- Supporting documents depending on your application type:
- Renewal: usually no additional documents beyond your current passport
- Change of personal details:
- Evidence of name change – deed poll, marriage certificate
- Replacement for damaged passport:
- The damaged passport itself
Child applications
HMPO requires more documentation for children, and you must leave the documents with HMPO after your appointment.
- Your child’s current passport
- Full birth certificate or adoption certificate showing parent’s details
- Evidence of parental responsibility if not obvious from birth certificate
- Any change of name evidence for the child
- For child’s first passport
- Full birth certificate
- Parents’ passports
- Additional parental documents depending on circumstances
Lost or stolen passport applications
If your passport has been lost or stolen, HMPO requires extra evidence because the original document cannot be inspected.
- Completed LS01 lost/stolen passport form (completed online during inspection)
- Additional identity evidence (HMPO may request a driving license, birth certificate, or other ID)
- Any supporting documents usually required for your application type (e.g. change of name evidence)
Missing documents can delay processing and may require replacements.
How to Apply for a Fast Track Passport: Step-by-Step
- Get your documents and photo ready – take a digital photo meeting HMPO’s current requirements: 600×750px minimum, in sharp focus against a plain light background, ensure no shadows and keep a neutral expression with eyes fully visible. Then start the online application. You’ll get a reference number starting with “PEX” — keep it safe, since you’ll need it to book your appointment and if someone else collects your passport for you.
- Book your appointment – HMPO fast track appointments run at seven HMPO offices: London, Peterborough, Newport, Liverpool, Durham, Glasgow and Belfast. There are some Saturday slots available at London and Liverpool. New slots are usually released daily, and you can book up to three weeks ahead through HMPO’s online passport service (Search urgent passport service), paying online by debit or credit card.
- Attend your appointment – bring your old passport if you have one, your booking confirmation, PEX reference, and any extra documents requested. Appointments are short, usually under ten minutes, and this is when your one-week countdown starts, counted from the appointment date rather than when you applied. For child applications, some documents are retained. You do not receive the passport at the appointment, new passports are delivered by secure carrier.
Fast track vs. one-day premium passport service: which do you need?
| Feature | Fast track (1 week) | Premium (1 day) |
| Turnaround | About 1 week, by courier | About 4 hours, collect in person |
| Adult cost (standard book) | £192 | £239.50 |
| Eligible applications | Renewals, replacements, name changes, child passports | Adult renewals only |
| Appointment availability | Booked up to 3 weeks ahead | Earliest slot 2 days after booking |
| Delivery | Courier, about a week later | Collect same day, a few hours later |
Choose Fast Track if you need a passport within a week and your application type is eligible. This is the best option for planned travel, tight timelines, or replacing a lost or stolen passport when you still have several days before departure.
Choose Premium only for genuine emergencies where you need a passport today. Strictly only for adult renewals, not available for first-time adults, children, or complex applications. This option is ideal if your flight is imminent and you cannot wait for courier delivery.
Practical Tips for a Smooth Fast Track Appointment
- Check your photo carefully before your appointment. Digital photo checks are strict: HMPO can reject photos that don’t meet its standards, even photos that pass the online upload can still be rejected at the appointment, and a rejection on the day usually means rebooking and taking a new photo rather than a quick fix. Ensure correct lighting, background, proportions, and no filters. Phone photos are fine if technically clean.
- If you’ve recently moved within the UK — common for many new arrivals — double-check your delivery address, since fast track passports go out by courier rather than ordinary post. Couriers may require someone to be present or may redirect to a depot, so an incorrect address can cause multi-day delays.
- Changes are free more than 48 hours beforehand. Cancelling with less notice carries a £34.50 administration fee, and missing the appointment means losing the fee entirely, with no refund. These rules apply to both Fast Track and Premium urgent services.
- Someone else can attend on your behalf with your PEX reference number, your old passport, and photo ID of their own; they’ll also need a signed letter from you to collect your new passport, only for Premium collections, not Fast Track.
- For anything HMPO’s website doesn’t answer, the Passport Adviceline (0300 222 0000) runs Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, 9am–5:30pm at weekends and on bank holidays.
While you wait for delivery, it’s a good moment to check other requirements for your trip, driving abroad, for instance, needs an International Driving Permit, specific insurance, or vehicle documents depending on the country. Some destinations require passport validity buffers, and if travelling with children, check entry rules for parental consent letters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a fast track passport take?
Your passport should arrive by courier about a week after your HMPO appointment, counted from the appointment date, not when you applied. Delays are uncommon but can happen at busy times, so leave a buffer if your travel date is flexible.
How much does a fast track passport cost in 2026?
An adult standard fast track passport costs £192, or £206 for the 54-page frequent traveller version; a child’s costs £156.50, or £170.50 for the larger book. You pay online, by debit or credit card, when you book.
Can I use fast track for my first adult passport?
No. Fast track covers renewals, replacements, name changes and child applications, but not a first adult passport. If this is your first British passport as an adult, apply through HMPO’s standard online service instead.
Where can I book a fast track appointment?
Fast track appointments run at seven HMPO offices: London, Peterborough, Newport, Liverpool, Durham, Glasgow and Belfast. London and Liverpool also offer Saturday slots reserved for fast track only.
Can someone else attend my appointment for me?
Yes. A representative can attend on your behalf with your PEX reference number, your old passport, and their own photo ID. For Premium, they’ll also need a signed, dated letter from you naming them to collect your new passport in person. Fast Track passports are sent by courier, so no collection letter is needed.
What’s the difference between fast track and premium?
Premium is limited to adult renewals, with collection in person about four hours after your appointment. Fast track covers more application types and delivers by courier around a week later, suiting most situations that aren’t a same-day emergency.
What happens if I miss my fast track appointment?
You’ll lose the fee you paid, with no refund. If you can’t attend, contact HMPO or rebook more than 48 hours ahead to avoid the £34.50 late-cancellation fee too.
Key takeaways
- Fast Track is HMPO’s official one-week passport service, running alongside, not instead of, the standard and 1-day Premium options.
- It covers renewals, replacements, name changes and child passports, but not a first adult passport.
- Your one-week countdown starts on your appointment date, not your application date.
- 2026 fees are £192 for an adult and £156.50 for a child on a standard book, paid online only.
- Appointments run at seven UK offices, bookable up to three weeks ahead, with new slots released daily.
Booking your fast track passport with confidence
Fast track gives you an official, one-week route to a new passport when you can’t wait for the standard service but don’t have a same-day emergency. Book directly through HMPO’s own passport service, bring the right documents to your appointment, and check gov.uk for the latest fees before you pay. If you’re travelling on from somewhere like Doncaster Sheffield Airport, it’s worth confirming your destination’s entry requirements well ahead of departure, since they run separately from your passport application.
Last reviewed: September 2026
