Before 5 October 1998 babies and children could be included on a parent or guardian's passport. In line with standard international practice and as a precaution against child abduction, children must now have their own passports to travel abroad. A child passport is valid for five years. When it runs out you can renew it for another five years, and so on.

Before 5 October 1998 children could be included on a parent's passport. Any passports including children will have expired on or before 4 October 2008. If your child was included on your old passport you will need to:

·           renew your own passport

·           apply for a separate first child passport for any children aged under 16 years

If your child is under 16 they need a child passport to travel abroad. They can use this passport until it expires. For example, a 15-year-old who needs a passport must apply for a five-year child passport. They can use this passport until it runs out, in this case when the 'child' is 20.

When a child reaches 16, the next passport they apply for once their current passport runs out should be a ten-year adult passport renewal.

Young people aged 16 or over, applying for a passport for the first time, should apply for an adult passport.

Non-UK residents

If you do not live in the UK, you can apply in person to renew your passport while visiting the UK. To do this you need to call the IPS Passport Adviceline on +44 (0)300 222 0000 to make an appointment at a Regional Passport Office. You must also provide an address in the UK to which IPS can post the new passport.

IPS cannot accept applications sent from overseas. If you would like to apply for or renew your child’s British Passport while living abroad, you must contact your local embassy, high commission or consulate.

As it usually takes around four weeks to issue a passport overseas, you should not make travel plans during this time. If you are applying for a first British passport for your child, allow six weeks. You may also be asked to attend an interview. If you have any questions, please contact your local embassy, high commission or consulate.

You can apply to renew your child's passport if you still have their last passport and:

·           it was a standard five-year child passport

·           it is not damaged

·           you do not need to change their name or national status

You can apply to renew the passport at any time. If there is any time left on the old passport IPS will add it to the new passport, up to a maximum of nine months.

You should always renew if the passport:

·           is full

·           has run out

If you do not still have the child's last passport you should apply for a first child passport.

If the child's last passport is lost or damaged, please follow the instructions in 'Replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport'.