The current burgundy passports will remain valid until they expire. Earlier blue passports were phased out in 1988 when members of the then European Economic Community agreed to a consistent design.
The back cover of the new British passports will carry an embossment featuring the floral emblems of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Islanders are encouraged to apply online for passports, following the introduction in February of a digital application and online payment system. The online service is available for anyone who wants to apply for their first passport, or who wants to renew, amend or replace an existing passport.
The new blue passports are ‘sign after receipt’, which means that after receiving a new blue passport, the holder must sign the relevant page of the passport immediately unless they are exempt from doing so.
While Covid-19 travel restrictions remain in place, Islanders are encouraged to check the validity of their passports and renew them if needed to ensure they are prepared for any ease in border restrictions.
The UK government said that the new blue passport would be the most environmentally friendly British passport ever. The carbon footprint produced through manufacture would be reduced to net zero, through projects such as planting trees.
