Whilst based overseas, you may need to renew/amend/replace an existing passport. This can be done at most British Consulates . (Please check with the Consulate, however, to confirm that they do issue passports).

Please note: The UK Identity and Passport Service (IPS) deals with all passport applications from British nationals resident in the UK. The relevant forms are available on the Identity and Passport Service website .

The Passport Section of the British High Commission in Belmopan processes British passport applications for applicants in Belize.

Once processed, the passport will be issued by the British Embassy in Mexico City and then sent to the British High Commission in Belmopan for applicants to collect.

Provided applications are submitted correctly with the relevant fee, we aim to deliver our service within the following timeframes:

Regular Service: 6-8 weeks
Express Service: 2-4 weeks (additional courier fee payable)
Timings are approximate and cannot be guaranteed.

Please allow sufficient time before travelling for your passport to be returned. It is not advisable to make firm travel plans until you have received your passport.

FORTHCOMING CHANGES ON REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF PASSPORT APPLICANTS

During 2007 the UK Identity and Passport Service and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, through their Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates, began the introduction of interviews for certain categories of passport applicants. This significant change is designed to help stop fraudulent passport applications by improving the integrity and security of British passports. The key benefits of the change were to:

• Help fight passport fraud and forgery;
• Help protect the UK public from identity theft; and
• Ensure the British passport stays one of the most secure and respected in the world.

Building on the initial introduction of interviews we will also gradually be introducing compulsory interviews for the following passport applicants:

• Certain customers who are applying for a British passport for the first time;
• Customers applying for a replacement passport following the loss or theft of numerous passports in a short period; and
• Those customers who change their name, except if that change follows marriage, civil partnership, divorce or dissolution.

In addition to the above the following customers will be required to supply full documentation as if they where applying for a passport for the first time:

• Customers who have not held a valid British passport for more than 10 years;
• Customers who are renewing an old style Blue passport; and
• Customers holding a British Overseas Territories passport, other than Gibraltar.

For further details on what documentation will be required please see our pages for those applying for the first time: documents required.

The British High Commission in Belmopan will shortly be implementing authentication by interviews.  Customers should not make any travel arrangements until the new passport is received, as the British High Commission cannot be responsible for costs incurred as a result of disrupted travel plans.

The interview has a vital role within the passport application and in ensuring that customers are the rightful owners of that "identity.”

Need to travel urgently?
If you need to travel urgently and cannot await the issue of a full passport, you can apply for a Temporary Passport (TP) (same procedure and form as full passports).  A TP has a restricted validity but is machine readable and valid for travel through the United States of America under theVisa Waiver Scheme.

However, a TP cannot be issued as a first passport or to replace a previously issued TP.  There are other restrictions.