Website of the UK government

What you need to do

It is important that the passport of a deceased person is cancelled so it cannot be used illegally. If you are responsible for a deceased person's belongings you should return the passport to IPS wherever possible. In all cases you should notify IPS when a passport holder has died.

How to return a deceased person's passport

If you are in the UK you should send or hand in the passport to your nearest Regional Passport Office. You should also include a completed copy of the 'What to do when a passport holder has died' form. You can get the form online by following the link below or you can request a copy by calling the Passport Adviceline on 0300 222 0000.

If you are abroad you should send the passport to your nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission. You should also include a completed copy of the 'What to do when a passport holder has died' form.

For security purposes, before posting it, you should cut off the top right-hand corner of the passport's front cover - this prevents it from being used again.

When IPS gets the passport they will cancel it on the passport database and either:

• dispose of it safely on your behalf
• return it to you

If you would like the passport returned to you, you need to let IPS know this by ticking a box on the form. If you do not ask for it to be returned, IPS will dispose of the passport once they have cancelled it.

• Download 'What to do when a passport holder has died' form (PDF, 57K)

• Help with PDF files

• Find your nearest Regional Passport Office Opens new window

• Find your nearest Regional Passport Office (Northern Ireland) Opens new window

• Find British embassies, consulates and high commissions around the world Opens new window

Checklist - returning a deceased person's passport

When you return a deceased person's passport to IPS or a British embassy, consulate or high commission you should include:

• the passport, with the top right-hand corner of the cover cut off
• a completed 'What to do when a passport holder has died' form (you will need the death certificate number) in which you have stated whether you want the passport returned to you

If you can't find the deceased person's passport

If the passport is lost or unavailable it is your responsibility to tell IPS. You should contact your nearest Regional Passport Office if you are in the UK. Outside the UK contact your nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.

You will need to send or hand in to IPS:

• a completed Lost or Stolen (LS01) Notification form
• an issued copy (not a photocopy) of the death certificate
• a completed 'What to do when a passport holder has died' form

• Download Download Lost or Stolen (LS01) notification form (PDF, 231K)

• Help with PDF files

• Find British embassies, consulates and high commissions overseas Opens new window

• Complete Lost or Stolen (LS01) Notification form online Opens new window

More help after someone has died

If someone has died and you are dealing with their affairs, you can find more help and advice on Directgov in 'What to do after a death'.

• What to do after a death (government, citizens and rights section)