Before you go: Passports

You cannot legally set foot in another country outside the UK without a passport, or you risk deportation. A valid, 10-year passport is essential, whatever your age, if you want to explore the delights of a foreign destination. Biometric ePassports were introduced in 2006 and fee increases, announced last year, come into effect from Oct 4, 2007.

Who can have one?

As a rule, all British nationals are entitled to a passport. You need to be a British citizen, British subject, British overseas citizen or a British citizen living in one of Britain's 16 dependent territories.

If you've not needed one before but do now, apply to the Passport Agency at least one month before your departure date. Passports can take from 10 working days to a month to process.

Do you need one for Europe?

Britons crossing the Channel to mainland Europe should take a passport. Even if it's not checked, some authorities ask for it as a proof of ID. You do not need a passport to visit Ireland.

Children's passports

Newborns and children aged up to 15 need individual passports.

Applications must include two standard passport photos with off-white, cream or light grey plain backgrounds.

Those aged 16 and over must apply for an adult passport.

Children born before October 5, 1998, who are now on a parent's passport can use it until it expires.

Baby photos

Photo booths can be quite tricky to use for baby passport pictures. A baby's face should be clear in the photo and their head supported in such a way that the parent's hand is not visible in the frame. The baby or child should be on its own, with no toys, dummies or people visible. Photos of under-fives with their mouths open or eyes looking away from the camera are acceptable. Photos must not be trimmed smaller than the required size. If your child is very young, it may be easier to have their picture taken at a photo shop.

Biometric ePassports

These were introduced in March 2006 as part of a range of procedures and systems to prevent identity and passport fraud. The updated features on these passports include pages with intricate designs, complex watermarks and a chip and antenna. Most UK citizens will not need to exchange their current passport for a biometric version until it has expired.

First steps

One form covers all types of application. If you're a first time applicant, don't forget to include your original birth certificate - or a naturalisation/registration certificate if you weren't born in the UK - and two standard passport photos, taken against a white background.

Bear in mind too that if you're applying for an adult passport for the first time, you may need to attend an interview so you should allow up to six weeks to obtain one. See www.ips.gov.uk for more info or text passport to 84414 (free of charge).

Phone for a form:

Call the Passport Agency's national telephone enquiry line on 0300 222 0000 to request a form, or send an online application request via the agency's website at www.passport.gov.uk

If you have further questions, call 0117 916 9059 to speak to an operator.

Pick up a form:

Collect an application form from one of the agency's high street partners (usually Post Office counters), a main Post Office or any Worldchoice travel agent. Other, larger, travel agents should also carry them.

Finally:

Have your completed form checked for errors. If you go in person to a high street partner, they will check and forward your form to the Passport Agency for a £4 fee. It costs £12 to apply in person for a passport at the seven regional Passport Agency offices.

Fees from Oct 4, 2007

• Adult 10-year passport with 32 pages will cost £72. If this is your first passport then no fast track services are available. If you are trying to obtain a replacement of a lost, stolen, missing or damaged passport, then a one week Fast Track service is available at a cost of £97. If you are seeking to renew or amend an existing adult passport, then there is an additional same day Premium Service which costs £114.
• A five-year child's passport, for newborns to 15-year-olds, will be £46. Again, if this is the first passport then no fast track services are available. If you are trying to obtain a replacement of a lost, stolen, missing or damaged passport, then a one week Fast Track service is available at a cost of £81. If you are seeking to obtain a renewal or amendment of an existing adult passport, then there is an additional same day Premium Service which costs £94.
• Adult Jumbo passport will cost £85, a fast track £105 and a premium £123.

How to pay

Payment must be sent with every application. There are three ways to pay:

• Mail a cheque, payable to UK Passport Service to the Passport Agency
• Pay in person at one of seven regional Passport Offices
• Pay at selected Post Office branches and Worldchoice travel agents

Regional passport offices

The London office is at Globe House, 89 Eccleston Square, SW1V 1PN, Monday to Friday 7.45am-7pm, Saturday 9.15am to 3.15pm, appointments only. Call 0300 222 0000 for its Adviceline.

Olympia House, Upper Dock Street, Newport, Gwent NP20 1XA, Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 3pm, appointments only.

Aragon Court, Northminster Road, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire PE1 1QQ, Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 3pm, appointments only.

Hampton House, 47-53 High Street, Belfast BT1 2QS, Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 3pm, appointments only.

Millburngate House, Durham DH971PA, Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 3pm, appointments only.

3 Northgate, 96 Milton Street, Cowcaddens, Glasgow G4 0BT, Monday to Friday 8.15am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 3pm.

Liverpool Passport Office, 101 Old Hall Street, Liverpool L3 9 BD, Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 3pm, appointments only.

What to do

Check first which documents you'll need to show for your application.

Visit your local Passport Office or post office to fill in the form and send it off with photos and relevant documents.

Name changes

There are two choices here. Women getting married can either notify the Passport Agency of their forthcoming name change at least three months before the wedding, or add their future name to their current passport and send in two standard passport photos, taken against a white background.

You'll need to fill in a full application form and have a Form PD2 completed by the person who will conduct your wedding ceremony.

Lost passports

As with traveller's cheques and travel insurance policies, always note your passport number in case it gets lost or stolen. If this happens when you're abroad, contact the British Consul. Otherwise, call the Passport Agency in the UK. You'll need to reapply and pay in full for a replacement.

Never forget to-

• Make sure your passport is valid for the entire time you're away
• Check how long it needs to be valid for after you arrive in a destination

For full details about applying for passports, visit the UK Passport Agency website at: http://www.ukpa.gov.uk