​Post Office launches digital passport service at more than 700 branches across the UK

• New digital check and send passport service available in 725 branches across the UK
• Move will create more choice for customers, including digital photographs

• Her Majesty’s Passport Office approved service

• Another step in the business’ ongoing transformation: 7,500 branches modernised since 2012, thousands of branches now open for longer, and more than 4,000 branches open seven days a week.

The Post Office has today announced the launch of digital passport renewals, which includes the popular Check and Send service, at 725 locations across the UK.

Working together with Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO), the Post Office is pleased to offer this new in-branch service, which will allow customers to renew their passport digitally in more than 700 Post Offices across the UK, with Post Office teams on hand to ensure their application is error-free and processed as quickly as possible.

The cost of renewing a passport digitally via Post Office branches is £75.50 (the same rate offered by HMPO for an online application through the GOV.UK website), compared with £85 for a paper-based application. An additional fee of £15.40 applies at the Post Office, because this includes in-branch support, the taking of digital photographs, the application being checked before sending and the secure delivery of the customer’s old passport back to HMPO via Royal Mail Special Delivery, bringing the total to £90.90.

Customers are of course still able to apply for passports through Post Office branches using paper forms, and can add on the Check & Send service should they wish, which gives customers piece of mind that their application will be right first time, including making sure the customer’s photograph meets HMPO guidelines.

The ability to now renew passports digitally through Post Offices is another step in the business’ continuing transformation and modernisation. Since 2012, it has invested in, and modernised, more than 7,500 branches, and improved services for customers, adding more than 200,000 extra opening hours a week across the network.

Martin Edwards, Managing Director for Identity Services, commented:

“This is an exciting move for the Post Office. The Passport Office has recommended customers use our trusted Check and Send service for over 20 years – and now we can offer a service which combines the speed and convenience of a digital application with the support and reassurance that comes with a branch-based service.

“This new service shows how we are constantly developing and expanding our services, bringing together the physical and digital worlds and offering even greater convenience and choice for customers.

“In the time we have been offering our Check and Send service, we have checked over 30 million passports. Along with providing access to vital services such as everyday banking and bill payments, it is clear that the Post Office remains relevant for today’s customers – and, as we continue to evolve – we are ensuring that we will matter even more to tomorrow’s customers too.”

Director General HM Passport Office Mark Thomson said:

“We want to make sure we have a modern and easy-to-use service for the millions of passport holders and applicants, which is why the Post Office’s Check and Send service is really valuable.

“Our customers want convenience and peace of mind and this new digital service will make it even easier to submit their passport application – it is precisely the sort of innovation they are looking for.”

The new service is also complemented by a whole host of other essential services, including everyday banking for personal and business banking customers, as well as mails, online shopping returns, over the counter bill payments, travel money and much more.

ENDS

Issued by:

Post Office Press Office

1^st Floor Finsbury Dials

20 Finsbury Street

LONDON, EC2Y 9AQ

Tel: 0207 012 3456 (24 hours),

Email: pressoffice@postoffice.co.uk

Website: www.postoffice.co.uk

Notes to editors:

About Post Office

With 11,500 branches, the Post Office is the largest retail network in the UK.

97% of Post Office branches are run with retail partners on an agency or franchise basis.

• The Post Office provides services central to peoples’ everyday lives; 99.7% of the population lives within 3 miles of a Post Office.

We offer the UK’s largest fee free cash withdrawal network through our 11,500 branches and an additional 2,500 cash machines and 99 per cent of UK bank customers can access their accounts at the Post Office.

We sell 170 different products and services spanning financial services including savings, insurance, loans, mortgages and credit cards; Government services; telephony; foreign currency; travel insurance and mail services.

Post Offices branches remain highly valued and trusted, and are the focal point of many communities. For more information; visit www.postoffice.co.uk and to find out about a Post Office business opportunities; visit www.runapostoffice.co.uk