Teenagers aged 16 and 17 will no longer need parental consent to get a passport when new passport regulations are imposed on 10 December 2007. The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) said this change will bring passport regulations to the same level as other legal issues regarding teenagers.

IPS also announced new regulations for passports for children aged 11 or under, their passport renewals must include a countersignature.

Home Office minister Meg Hillier commented: “The changes will bring passport practice into line with court practice on allowing young people to take responsibility for their own decisions.”

At the same time a new requirement will be introduced for children aged 11 or under for passport renewals to be countersigned. It is important that we positively identify children so that passports cannot be used to facilitate child abduction or human trafficking.”