Can You Buy a UK Passport? Legal Insights & Dangerous Myths Debunked (2025)
It was two summers ago, on a warm July afternoon, when my friend Anna called me in tears. She had just realized her passport had expired a week before her long-awaited honeymoon trip to Thailand. In panic, she typed into Google: “Can you buy a UK passport?”
Like thousands of people every month, she wasn’t looking for anything shady; she just wanted a quick solution. What she found instead were dozens of questionable sites promising real UK passports for sale, often demanding thousands of pounds.
The truth? There is no legal way to buy a UK passport. If it doesn’t come from HM Passport Office, it’s not genuine. Still, the desperation behind this search is real, and this guide will walk you through:
What people actually mean when they search this phrase
The only legal ways to obtain a UK passport.
The rise of fake passport scams and the risks involved
Legitimate urgent options when time is tight
Step-by-step instructions to safely apply
By the end, you’ll understand not just why you can’t buy a UK passport, but how to secure one properly, fast, and without falling victim to fraud. Explore our complete guide on how to buy real uk passport. This will guide you step by step throughout the way.
Why Do People Ask: “Can You Buy a UK Passport?”
Let’s be honest: nobody wakes up dreaming of buying a passport from the dark web. The search usually comes from desperation.
Lost or stolen passport: A business trip or family emergency is looming.
Expired passport: You’ve booked travel, only to discover your passport has lapsed.
Delays: During COVID, some renewals took 10+ weeks, creating demand for shortcuts.
Moving abroad: Expats often need a valid ID urgently.
In 2022 alone, the UK issued 9.5 million passports, a record high. That kind of volume means queues, delays, and stress. But here’s the reality:
If your passport doesn’t come from HM Passport Office, it’s not real, and it won’t get you through border control.
Only HM Passport Office Issues Genuine Passports
Let’s clear this up once and for all. A real UK passport means:
It’s issued by the HM Passport Office.
It’s registered in the UK government’s passport database.
It will pass biometric scans at airports.
Anything else, even if it looks identical, is worthless.
I once met a man in a hostel in Berlin who swore he’d bought a “real” passport online for €2,000. At Heathrow, the system flagged it instantly. He was pulled aside, interrogated, and deported back to his home country.
If a site, stranger, or company claims they can sell you a UK passport, they’re lying.
Legal Alternatives to “Buying” a Passport
So, what should you do instead? There are four legitimate paths depending on your situation:
1. First-Time Passport Application
If you’ve never held a UK passport, you can apply for your first adult passport for £94.50 online. Supporting documents (birth certificate, proof of citizenship) and an interview are required.
2. Renew an Expired Passport
The most common reason people Google “can you buy a passport”. Renewals take about 3–6 weeks, but online applications are quicker.
3. Replace a Lost or Stolen Passport
If your passport is lost, stolen, or damaged, you must report it and apply for a replacement. When I lost mine in Barcelona, I was stranded for days, but the embassy issued an Emergency Travel Document to get me home.
4. Urgent Services: Fast Track and Premium
For those panicked last-minute scenarios:
1-Week Fast Track: £178, available for renewals and replacements.
1-Day Premium: £222, same-day collection (renewals only).
- Buydocsnow: offers valid and registered UK passports through their insider processing partnership at the HM office.
Anna, my friend from the intro, ended up using the 1-week Fast Track service. It saved her honeymoon.
Applying from Overseas: A Legitimate Route
If you’re a British citizen abroad, you don’t need shady sellers; you can apply from wherever you live.
Use the official gov.uk portal.
Provide supporting documents and a digital photo.
Processing: around 8–10 weeks.
Extra courier fees may apply.
When I lived in Berlin, I renewed mine through the overseas service. It wasn’t instant, but it was secure and worth the wait.
Dangerous Scams: Fake Passport Markets
Here’s where things get darker. Scammers exploit desperate travelers with promises of “real” passports. Some recent examples:
Social Media Scams: Fake UK passports advertised on TikTok and Instagram for £4,000+ (Al Arabiya, 2022).
Dark Web Deals: Vendors claim to sell “blank UK passports” for £2,000 (IB Times, 2015).
Fraud Rings: In 2023, a smuggler was jailed for running a fake passport scheme (Gov.uk).
These fakes don’t just fail at borders; they can land you in prison. Worse, sending your personal details to these scammers exposes you to identity theft.
Real-World Consequences of Fake Passports
It’s not just about missing a flight. Using a fake passport carries heavy risks:
Criminal Charges: Carrying a forged passport can lead to arrest, fines, or prison.
Travel Bans: You may be barred from entering countries permanently.
Identity Theft: Scammers often resell your details to fraud networks.
The National Crime Agency has repeatedly warned that fake passports are linked to organized crime and human trafficking.
Why Official Online Applications Are Your Best Bet
Even if it feels slow, the official gov.uk system is your safest route:
Applications can be submitted 24/7 online.
Costs are transparent (£94.50–£222 depending on service).
Security is guaranteed, and your passport will be valid worldwide.
Plus, the process is improving. Digital applications with uploaded photos are now standard, reducing the need for paper forms.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a UK Passport Legally
Here’s how to do it the right way:
Visit gov.uk, Apply/Renew passport.
Select your option (first-time, renewal, replacement, urgent, overseas).
Gather documents: birth certificate, old passport, and marriage certificate if relevant.
Take a digital photo that meets official standards.
Complete the form online, pay the fee.
Submit supporting docs if requested.
Track your application online. In as little as 1 day (for Premium), you can walk out with a brand-new, valid passport.
FAQs: Can You Buy a UK Passport?
1. Can I buy a UK passport without applying?
No. Only the HM Passport Office issues real passports. Any other source is fake.
2. How fast can I get one legally?
1-day Premium service for renewals, 1-week Fast Track for renewals and replacements.
3. How much does it cost?
£94.50–£107 for standard, £178 for Fast Track, £222 for Premium.
4. Can I apply abroad?
Yes, via gov.uk. Processing takes 8–10 weeks.
5. What if I paid a scam site?
Report it to Action Fraud and contact your bank immediately.
Final Takeaway: Don’t Gamble, Get Your Passport the Right Way
So, can you buy a UK passport? No.
But you can:
Renew online.
Replace quickly.
Use urgent services if needed.
Apply abroad if you’re a UK citizen overseas.
Anna made it to her honeymoon because she chose the official route. The man I met in Berlin? He’s still dealing with the consequences of a fake.
Don’t risk it. The only way to get a real UK passport is through the HM Passport Office.
Safe travels and start your application the right way, today. I hope this guide about Can You Buy a UK Passport will be helpful to you and your loved ones.
