Passports, Old and New
So, three weeks to the day since I completed the online formalities, I received delivery today, by courier, of my new UK passport. Fair play to the Passport Office for their extremely efficient service. The only thing I don’t have is my previous (expired) passport which I am assured will arrive under separate cover. It being less valuable than a new one, presumably it will be sent by a cheaper and slower method.
I thought I would compare the new one (right) with my oldest old one (left; the first passport I ever had, issued in 1986, with the corner now cut off to show it is defunct):
The new one is black (or perhaps a very dark blue) but the old one is more of a navy blue. The new one is a bit smaller. The size of the old one was not consistent with international ID standards and was changed in 1992, at which point the colour was changed to burgundy red. The 1986 vintage is not a biometric passport either. The biggest difference however is that the old one is a bit battered from extensive use but this is unlikely to happen to the new one. I’ve already put it away for safe keeping. I don’t think I’ll be using it much so it will probably remain in a pristine state until it expires (or I do).
In the Dark 
August 5, 2026 at 5:58 pm
Ah, three weeks! That’s useful info as I did this last week, my old passport being 5 months from expiry and many countries requiring a passport valid for 6 months.
I wonder when the change was made to “Her Britannic Majesty requests and requires” safe conduct for the bearer, from “requires and demands”.
August 5, 2026 at 6:45 pm
The official line is 4-6 weeks for a renewal.
There’s been a change of pronouns too – mine says “His Britannic Majesty…”
August 5, 2026 at 8:16 pm
You presumably used the regular service, not the faster ones?
I must say that whenever I hear a BBC news report that the Queen will open something, my immediate reaction is “Don’t be daft – she’s dead.”
August 5, 2026 at 9:16 pm
Yes, just the bog standard one…
August 6, 2026 at 9:36 am
I’ve just applied for the Irish EU one. I have paid extra to get a ‘passport card’ which is for 5 years rather than 10. Its for travel within the EU and is credit card sized so fits in a wallet, and hence saves you needing to separately carry around your passport.