Do I need a new passport if I move home?

Do you need to change your passport after getting married or entering a civil partnership?

You will need to get a new passport if you are changing your name after a marriage or civil partnership. This can be done before or after the ceremony.

If you want a new document before the ceremony, you can apply for it up to three months before your marriage or civil partnership ceremony takes place. The old passport will be cancelled and the new one will be post-dated and will not be valid before the ceremony, so bear this in mind if you need to travel beforehand.

Some countries refuse to issue visas if you have a post-dated document, so make sure you check with the embassy of the country before going ahead with getting the new passport.

If you want to apply for the new document before the ceremony, you will need to fill out and send a ‘passports for newlyweds and civil partners’ form. This will need to be signed by the official who is to conduct the ceremony.

Those looking to get the name changed in their passport after a wedding or civil partnership should send their marriage or civil partnership certificate when applying for a new passport as normal – this includes those who are choosing to use a double-barrelled surname to include their original name. You can apply for the new document online here.

Do you need to inform the passport office about getting divorced?

If you change your name after getting divorced, you will need to apply for a new passport. You will also need to send some additional documentation.

You will need to send the following:

• your birth certificate
• a statement signed by you saying you’ve gone back to a previous surname (for example your maiden name) ‘for all purposes’ - that is, you will not use your married or civil partnership name at all
• a document that shows you’re using your new name (for example a payslip, or a letter from your local council)
• your decree absolute or final order showing both names
• a marriage or civil partnership certificate showing both names - if you do not have it you can order a copy of this here

Your appearance has changed – do you need to get a new passport?

On the whole, changes such as dyeing your hair or getting glasses won’t need to be reported to HM Passport office, but some changes such as types of cosmetic or reconstructive surgery, will need to be declared. Take a look at our full guide to physical changes that do and don’t require a new passport here.

You have become a doctor – will this new title, and any others, need to be changed on your passport?

You can change your title to the likes of Dr, Professor, JP, or military decorations if you like, but it is not mandatory.

Simply add it to the ‘Other title’ box when applying to replace your passport. It won’t be part of your name, but will appear on the ‘observations’ page of the document.

Only a title of nobility – Lord, Dame etc. will appear with your name on the passport.

Do you need to report you've gained dual nationality?

No – you do not need to tell HM Passport Office that you have gained dual nationality.

However, some countries do not allow people to have dual nationality, so you would need to apply to renounce your British citizenship if this was the case for the nation you were becoming a member of.  You will need to be of sound mind and over-18 to do this. Find out more here about renouncing British citizenship.

Do you need to tell the Passport Office you're emigrating?

Again, there is no need to tell HM Passport Office that you are emigrating because you remain a British citizen unless you renounce it - see above.

How to contact passport webchat?