How To Get A UK Passport For A Child Born In Spain

Getting Started: What British Parents in Spain Need to Know

If you're a British parent living in Spain and need to apply for a UK passport for your child, the process is straightforward once you understand the rules and supporting documents required. Many British families in Spain apply for a UK passport shortly after birth to ensure their child can later register for Spanish residency and receive their NIE number. Babies born in Spain do not automatically receive Spanish nationality unless one parent is Spanish, so securing a British passport early helps avoid delays in other official matters.

If one parent is a British citizen or British national, your child can usually apply for a UK passport regardless of whether they were born in Spain, the UK or another country. However, if the child does not qualify for Spanish nationality, you must first obtain the nationality documents relevant to your situation before you can begin residency procedures in Spain.

Understanding your options early will help you complete the passport application smoothly and avoid missing information that could cause delays.

How to Apply for Your Child’s UK Passport

Apply Online Through HM Passport Office

Most families complete the child passport application online through the official HM Passport Office page. Before you start, gather all supporting documents because you will need to submit original certificates and paperwork by courier once the online form is complete.

During the application, you must provide details of someone who can confirm your baby’s identity and your own. This person must know the British parent for at least two years, be in a recognised profession and be willing to confirm your details online. HM Passport Office may contact them by email or telephone as part of the service checks.

Passport Photos and Digital Photo Guidance

You can upload a digital photo taken at home or visit a photographer in Spain. The online photo checker makes it simple to confirm whether the picture meets UK requirements, which reduces the need to replace photos later. For a first passport, the system is designed to help parents avoid mistakes.

Passport Fees for Overseas Applications

Following the April 10, 2025 fee increase, the current overseas costs are:

• Online child passport application: £65.50 + courier fee
• Online adult passport: £101.00 + courier fee
• Paper passport application form (child): £77.00 + courier fee
• Paper passport application form (adult): £112.50 + courier fee

If you submit a paper application, note that the process is slower and includes an additional fee for postage. Overseas applications cannot be fast-tracked, so you cannot get a passport urgently for a first child passport from Spain.

After payment, HM Passport Office will ask for the contact details of the referee who will confirm your information before your supporting documents are reviewed.

Can I Apply by Post Instead of Online?

Yes. Paper passport application forms remain available for families who prefer to apply by post. Instructions, guidance and contact numbers are available on the HM Passport Office website. Postal applications take longer, but the requirements for documents, photos and identity confirmation remain the same.

What Supporting Documents Do I Need to Submit?

For a first passport, you must submit original documents — not copies. These may include:

• Your child’s full Spanish birth certificate (certificación literal)
• A sworn translation of the birth certificate
• The British parent’s full UK birth certificate
• If you are proving British citizenship through grandparents, you may need their certificates as evidence

If one parent is not British, you may include a letter explaining why non-British certificates are not required. HM Passport Office generally recommends sending any documents that help prove eligibility, especially for a first passport application made from overseas.

Ensure you check every detail before you submit the documents. Missing or incorrect information is one of the most common causes of delays.

How Long Does the Process Take?

A first passport application from Spain usually takes up to 10 weeks, but overseas timings can exceed this. There is currently no appointment-based fast-track service and no way to renew or replace a first child passport urgently from abroad.

To prevent delays:

• Check all documents before you submit them
• Confirm name spellings match across certificates
• Use the online photo checker to avoid rejected photos
• Include any additional information HM Passport Office may need

Once approved, HM Passport Office will print the new passport and send it through its overseas delivery service.

Passport Delivery and Tracking

There is no tracking available while HM Passport Office holds your documents or prints the new passport. Once dispatched, you will receive an email with delivery details. DHL or a subcontracted delivery service normally handles the final delivery in Spain. Continue to check your email, as the courier will advise the delivery date once it arrives in-country.

Final Steps and Practical Tips

Applying for a child’s first passport from Spain can feel more complex than a standard renewal, but online guidance makes it easier to complete the form correctly. Start gathering documents early, especially birth certificates and translations, so you can submit everything in one go.

Completing the application carefully helps avoid delays and ensures the UK passport arrives as quickly as possible.

Stay Protected While Living in Spain

From passport paperwork to travel planning, raising a family abroad involves a constant flow of applications and supporting documents. Reliable private healthcare ensures you have access to fast paediatric care and everyday medical services whenever you need them. Compare Sanitas health insurance plans to choose the protection that best supports your family in Spain.