British nationals must hold a British passport to travel abroad. It can also serve as proof of citizenship or identification while applying for visas, driving licence, etc. The United Kingdom issues British passports to people with any type of British nationality. There are different types of British passports according to where they are issued. “Where is the place of issue on a UK passport” is one of the biggest concerns. This question appears on a visa application form or passport renewal form. Learning about the place of issue of passport and how to check it out on a passport helps to gain essential travel documents successfully. In this passage, we will discuss where to find place of issue on passport, types of British passports and issuing authorities.
What is Place of Issue of Passport?
Place of issue refers to where the passport is processed and issued. It could be the city you apply from, the passport office or passport center, or the consulate or embassy when applying abroad. In the past, these official travel documents were issued by several passport centers and agencies, and their name is printed on the passport. However, the term “place of issue” has been replaced by “authority” in many countries. An issuing authority can refer to a government department or official-certified agency that verifies the applicant’s identification and issues passports. UK passports only show “Authority” which indicates the passport issuer.
image resource: What does passport issue mean on Quora
How to Choose UK Passport Issuing Authority
When filling out the UK passport application form or renewal form, applicants are usually confused about the question “What is your passport issuing authority?” It depends on whether you are born in Britain or British overseas territories.
British Citizens
There are four major issuing authorities. British-born UK Citizens should choose “UKPA, UKPS, IPS or HMPO”.
➢ IPS: Identity and Passport Service. It was used from 2006 to 2013 after which it changed to HMPO.
➢ UKPS: United Kingdom Passport Service. It was a former name before HMPO.
➢ UKPA: UK Passport Agency. It was a former name before HMPO.
➢ HMPO: His Majesty’s Passport Office or HM Passport Office. It is currently the only issuer of British passports.
British Overseas Territories Citizens
Passport holders from Hong Kong or Gibraltar should choose “other” for passport place of issue.
Where is the Place of Issue on A UK Passport
The United Kingdom passport place of issue is not specifically shown. Instead, there is “Authority/Authorite”which is listed at the bottom right corner of the first page. There is also personal information and passport details on this page, such as name of the owner, nationality, date of birth, place of birth, gender, passport photo, date of issue, passport types, date of expiry, passport number, and fingerprints.
The newest version is featured with a machine-readable chip on the biodata page. The authority can learn about the information of the passport holder and the booklet by scanning it.
Who Issues Passport to Which British Nationalities
In this section, we will discuss who can apply for a UK passport and which authority issues it.
British Citizen
Those who were born or whose parents were born in the UK are likely to be granted British citizenship automatically. It can also be obtained through marriage or naturalization. British citizens can live and work in the UK without visas or immigration permits. Their passports are usually issued by HMPO, or Individual Crown dependencie.
British Overseas Territories Citizen
It was called “British dependent territories citizenship” before February 26, 2002. It refers to those who migrated to the United Kingdom from a British overseas territory or who are descendants of a British overseas territory citizen. British overseas territories citizens of Gibraltar gain UK passports from Civil Status and Registration Office (CSRO) while citizens of other overseas territories get passports issued by Individual Overseas Territory or HMPO.
British Overseas Citizen
They are British nationals but do not have the right of abode in the UK. Their passports are issued by HMPO.
British Subject
Before 1949, all people with a close connection to the United Kingdom were British subjects. It also refers to all citizens of Commonwealth countries until January 1983, but few people are qualified to be a British subject right now. Their passports are issued by HMPO whether they have rights of abode in the UK or not.
British National (overseas)
It is also known as BNO. Although they are British nationals (and Commonwealth citizens), they are not real British citizens. It is designed for British overseas territories citizens connected with Hong Kong until July 1, 1997. Their passports are issued by HMPO.
British Protected Person
It is also known as BPP. According to British Nationality Act 1981, BPP allows an individual to connect with former protected states or other British territories. Their passports are issued by HMPO.
Differences in Older and Newer UK Passport
The UK passport color has been changed to blue one, while some people believe it is closer to black color. The place of issue can still be found on the information page but it is more integrated into the overall design and security features of the page.
If your passport is valid for less than 6 months, you need to apply for a renewal. If it’s still valid for six month and issued more than 10 years ago, you don’t have to renew the passport. To know more details about expiry date on UK passport, you can check our relevant article.
About HM Passport Office
As the only issuer of UK passports currently, HMPO is in charge of passport services for British nationals in the UK and abroad. It is also known as Identity and Passport Service (IPS) until 2013. It also administrates civil registration in England and Wales since the General Register Office (GRO) joined it in 2008, including marriage, civil partnerships, birth, deaths, and adoptions.
With 7 regional passport offices and more than 50 passport interview offices all over the country, it issues millions of passports every year. The British government launched an HMPO locator to help applicants to find the nearest branches.
FAQ
Where Do I send my old British passport back to?
You can simply mail your expired UK passport to required address and request them to process it. The HM passport office address is
- Customer Service Manager
- HM Passport Office
- PO Box 767
- Southport
- PR8 9PW
What if passport place of issue is unclear or missing?
If the place of issue on your UK passport is not clear or missing, it can potentially cause problems when you travel. You need to verify details, consult HM passport office or check for digital copies.
Summary
Let’s make a conclusion. When asked about the United Kingdom passport place of issue, it generally means the issuing authority which can be found on the photo page of the passport. Currently, HMPO is the only issuer in the UK. If your passport was issued years ago, you will also find UKPA, UKPS, or IPS. If you are British Overseas Territories Citizens of Gibraltar, you will find CSRO. Choosing the right answer to the question “Where is the place of issue on a UK passport” is important, otherwise, your passport application or renewal form will be rejected.
Erin Lo