What happens to UK passports now the Queen has died?

NEXT time you look at your passport, you may be surprised to read that it is issued in the name of Queen Elizabeth.

Following the death of the Queen on September 8, 2022, after her 70-year reign, lots of changes will be happening across the country - including passports.

Will passports change when the Queen dies?

A UK passport is currently issued by "Her Majesty".

Inside them, it reads: "Her Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State requests and requires in the name of Her Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.”

However, this will be changed since the UK's sovereign became a King instead of a Queen.

This means it will instead read: "His Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State requests and requires in the name of His Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary.”

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Will my passport still be valid?

Old passports which have not been updated with the new text will still be valid until they expire.

This is similar to when the UK blue passports were phased in, as burgundy passports are still valid.

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However, new passports will be issued with the new text.

People may be surprised that the Queen didn't need a passport to travel with.

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This is because they were issued in her name - the explained: "As a British passport is issued in the name of Her Majesty, it is unnecessary for The Queen to possess one."

All other members of the Royal Family require one.

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This now means that King Charles no longer needs one as they are now issued in his name - although ID checks are still required.

the wording may need to change in the passports of some of the Commonwealth countries too.

For example, in Canada the request is made in the name of Her Majesty by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

This will need to become His Majesty.

It's not just passports changing since the death of the Queen.

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Stamps, which have had the Queen's head on them for 70 years, will change to the King's head instead.

Money in the UK will also change, with the King's profile on all new coins and notes.