British passports can be renewed on-line using the Gov.uk website https://www.gov.uk/renew-adult-passport/renew. The instructions on the website are relatively easy to follow. You will be required to provide a digital photograph. To obtain a digital photograph code that is accepted by the UK passport office, you will have to go to a photo booth or shop in the UK as the French equivalent is not accepted. However, if your computer has a camera you can take the picture with it while completing the online application. If you do not have access to a camera on your computer, the website gives explanations on how you can submit your digital photo.

The cost in August 2025 for a passport applied for from outside the UK was £108 + £19.86 courier charges (although the renewal website will give the current price if it has changed since August 2025) and can be paid by credit card. This price applies to online applications. You can also renew your passport with a "paper" form but it will cost a few £s more. Recent experiences have seen turn around times varying from 4 weeks to over 16 weeks, so it is recommended that you do not leave it to the last minute to renew your passport.

Passports are now all issued for a 10 year period. This means that if you renew your current passport before its expiry date, you will “lose” the weeks or months that remain. The reason for this is that the regulation has changed so that no passport can be valid for more than 10 years – so if your current passport was for more than 10 years due to remaining time from the previous one being added in, it will not be valid for most international travel after the 10^th anniversary of its issue. Your new passport will automatically have a 10 year life (unless you are applying for a child’s passport which only lasts 5 years).

Please note that UK resident British Citizens must have at least three months remaining on their passport after the date they expect to return to the UK in order to enter France. This does not apply to French resident British Citizens who hold a French Withdrawal Agreement Residence Permit who can enter France on their passport up to its expiry date (or 10 years after issue if earlier).

If you are a dual national, you will be required to send a full copy of every page of your French passport (even those which are blank) with your application. Once you have completed the online form, you will be asked to print a paper which lists the documents you are required to send to the passport office by post, which will include the copy of your French passport. This paper gives the address to which the documents should be sent. The documents will be returned to you after they have been checked.

WARNING: If you are a married woman, or a widow who still uses your married name on your British passport, you may have to take additional steps as your French passport will use your maiden name. Your passport renewal request may be refused because your French passport and British passport are not in the same name. If this is the case, you will need to send the passport office the following documents:

1. A photocopy of the email you have received from the passport office refusing your application (which gives your reference number, avoids any confusion and saves you paying twice).

2. A photocopy of your marriage certificate (or Livret de Famille if you were married in France).

3. A recent “proof of identity” that shows your married name and your French address – e.g. a French utility invoice if it is in your married name, and/or other documents (e.g. from the Pensions office in the UK).

4. An “attestation” signed by an appropriate French official – Mairie, Notaire,… (see sample in the attached document 1).

5. A letter explaining the situation (which includes relevant references to the Passport Office documents) (see sample in the atteched document 2).

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