Renew a British passport
from the United States.
British nationals living in the US apply through the same gov.uk online form as UK residents — but on a longer timeline. HMPO targets up to 10 weeks for straightforward overseas renewals.
Step-by-step from the US
There is no separate US-specific portal. You start at gov.uk/overseas-passports and fill in the same online form UK residents use. Select "I am applying from outside the UK" and HMPO will route the application to the overseas processing track.
You can either upload a digital photo (UK passport rules — light background, no glasses, recent) or have one signed by a person of standing if you are using the paper route. Most US-based applicants use the digital upload.
After paying online, HMPO emails you a UK address to courier the old passport to. Use a tracked international service — DHL or FedEx are the standard choices. The clock starts when HMPO logs receipt at their UK office.
HMPO couriers the new passport back to your US address via a secure international courier. The old (cancelled) passport is returned in a separate envelope. Total elapsed time is typically 6-10 weeks but can stretch longer in summer.
Photo requirements
HMPO uses UK passport photo rules — not US rules. A US passport photo will be rejected. Key differences: UK requires a plain light-grey or cream background (US allows white only); the head must be 29-34mm tall; no shadows on the face or behind it.
Most CVS, Walgreens or UPS Store photo services do not produce UK-compliant photos by default — ask for "UK passport photo" specifically and check the dimensions before paying. Or take it yourself with a smart phone and use the digital upload at the form's photo step.
Shipping the old passport
HMPO emails the UK courier-in address after you pay. Use a tracked international courier — DHL Express, FedEx International Priority, or UPS Worldwide Express. Expect $40-70 outbound depending on coast and service tier. Do not use plain USPS for the outbound leg; loss is your financial risk and you would be re-applying for the new passport without the old one.
Return shipment from HMPO to your US address is included in the £112.50 fee. HMPO uses a secure international courier; tracking is provided once dispatched.
Common mistakes
HMPO will not expedite for travel reasons from overseas. There is no overseas Fast Track or Premium service. Plan around the 10-week worst case.
UK rules differ on background colour and head sizing. Rejected photos add 2-4 weeks to the timeline.
Renewals require the old passport to be returned even if expired. The application sits in limbo until HMPO receives it.
Loss in transit is your liability — no refund of the £112.50 fee. Use DHL/FedEx/UPS with tracking.
Brexit-era nuances
Since January 2021 the UK passport is the "burgundy with no EU title" variant. If your old passport still says "European Union" on the cover that is fine — it is still valid until expiry. New issues come without the EU lettering. Schengen-area travel rules now require at least 3 months' validity beyond your planned departure from the Schengen area, so plan renewal at least 9 months before the expiry date if you travel to Europe regularly.