photo

Come December 10, teens aged 16 or 17 would be allowed to apply for a passport without parental consent.

This measure was made to "bring passports in line with modern legal practice for 16 and 17 year olds" and to allow youngsters to take responsibility for their own decisions. This change was announced by the Identity and Passport Service yesterday, October 30. Further, parental views will no longer be required for those who have changed names.

Changes were also announced for children below 11. Passport renewals should also be countersigned to positively identify children inorder to avoid child abduction and human trafficking.