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).
UPDATE: 07/08/2026. Just two days after the new one arrived, I got the old one (minus corner).
In the Dark 