So that we can confirm the nationality of each child and their legal entitlement to travel, you must include a fully filled-in form for every child included on the collective passport. There are two versions of this form - the first CPNQ1 for children born in the United Kingdom, and the second CPNQ2 for children born outside the United Kingdom. You should give each child a copy of the relevant form for their parents to fill in and sign. You can download forms CPNQ1 and CPNQ2 here (please note these links will open in a new browser window):
If a child's parents are married, either parent can give permission.
If a child's parents are divorced, but they were married at the time of the child's birth (or, for those living in Scotland, when the mother became pregnant) or were married at any time after the child's birth, either parent can give permission unless a court has made an order about parental responsibility or about the child having a passport. Any such order must be sent with the application. A custody or maintenance order does not automatically remove parental responsibility from the other parent.
If a child's parents are not married, the mother can give permission. The father can give permission in the following circumstances only:
Collective passport photo cards are required for all children and young people travelling on a collective passport.
You can order these cards from your local passport office by e-mail or by calling the 24-hour Passport Adviceline on 0870 521 0410 (see terms and conditions). The cards should be filled in with the children’s details exactly as they appear on the application form and a recent passport-sized photograph should be attached to each card. The photographs should be of a similar quality to standard passport photographs, should not have been previously used on another document and must not be laminated or be a photocopy.
The Group Leader should complete their details and certify the cards at the time of application, prior to submitting the application. Each child must sign their card before travel.
A letter on official headed paper, confirming authorisation and consent to the trip, should support each individual application. The letter must have an original signature (digital or photocopied signatures will not be accepted).
You can download an example of a supporting letter as a PDF (88kb, new window)
Schools |
The head teacher, a member of the board of governors or the education authority from each school making up the party can sign the supporting letter. |
Scouts/guides groups |
Should supply a 'Letter of Introduction' or a supporting letter from their national headquarters. |
Football/rugby clubs |
Should supply a letter from their local football association or the chairperson or secretary of their league. |
Swimming/judo clubs etc. |
Should supply a letter from their national headquarters. |
Youth orchestras, choirs etc. |
Should supply a letter from their local education authority or from a vicar in cases of church organisations |
Army/Airforce cadets |
Should supply a letter from their commanding officer or services authority. |
Clubs/youth clubs |
Should supply a letter from the local authority to which they are registered or from their national headquarters |
Registered charities |
Should supply a letter from the director or a person in a similar position within the organisation. |
Please note the Leader or Deputy Leader of the party cannot support the application.
Note: Where a group of children are going abroad to perform for any purpose, including taking part in sport or a competition, the supporting letter must say that all members of the party are amateurs and will not receive any payment.
The fee for a collective passport is £39 for each application. Cheques and postal orders should be made out to Identity and Passport Service. If paying by cheque, the name of the party should be written on the back. You can also pay by credit card. You can download a credit card payment form here as a PDF (50kb, new window) . This payment form can only be used when applying for a collective passport. It is not acceptable for use with an application for a United Kingdom passport.
You should check if visas are needed and whether a collective passport can be used in the country you intend to visit. Rules about visas and use of collective passports vary by country. You can check visa requirements with the consulate or embassy concerned.
For quick reference you can use our table of visa and collective passport requirements, by country.
24-hour Passport Adviceline: 0870 521 0410 (see terms and conditions). Calls are charged at 8p per
minute from a BT landline; live operators are available to assist with your enquiry 24 hours a day
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