Renewing a British passport from Russia: online only — the embassy does not make passports

The British Embassy in Moscow does not issue or process passports — the embassy itself has reminded people of this. Since 2014 all overseas British passport applications are handled by a single centre in the UK, HM Passport Office (HMPO). So if you are in Russia, there is only one way to renew or obtain a British passport: apply online.

How to apply

You apply through the official page at gov.uk/overseas-passports. You fill in the online form, upload a digital photo that meets the rules (plain light background, no glasses or headwear, no smiling) and pay the fee by card. You will usually then be asked to send your old passport and supporting documents to the UK by courier, and the new passport is returned by courier too. While the application is processed the service holds your old passport, so plan ahead.

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What you will need

You will need your current or expired British passport, your personal details and details of the previous passport, a card to pay, and a digital photo that meets the standard. For a first passport or a change of details (for example a new surname after marriage) you may also need supporting documents such as a birth, marriage or change-of-name certificate. Make sure the photo is recent (taken in the last month) and compliant, or the application will be sent back and delayed. It is also worth checking the entry rules of your destination: many countries require a passport valid for several months beyond your trip.

What it costs

The fee is paid online when you apply. New fees took effect on 8 April 2026. For an online application from overseas an adult passport costs £116.50 and a child passport £75.50. A paper application costs more: £130 for an adult and £89 for a child. Always check gov.uk for the exact amount and current requirements, as fees change from time to time.

How long it takes

There is no fixed timescale for applications from abroad. HM Passport Office advises applying in good time and not booking travel until the new passport is in your hands. For comparison, in 2025, 99.7% of standard applications made within Britain were processed within three weeks, but from overseas the processing and posting of documents can take longer.

If you need to travel urgently

You cannot get a full passport quickly abroad. But if your trip is urgent and you have no valid passport, you can apply for an emergency travel document (ETD) — a one-trip document, not a passport. Unlike a passport, an ETD is handled through embassies and consulates; you apply via gov.uk and it is chargeable. It helps in a real emergency but is not a substitute for renewing your passport.

In short

So: the Moscow embassy does not make passports; renewal and issue are online only, through HM Passport Office at gov.uk/overseas-passports; be ready to courier your old passport and wait; and for an urgent trip there is a separate emergency travel document. Keep copies of every passport page and apply with time to spare.