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Written question asked by Catherine McKinnell (Labour) on Thursday, 18 December 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 January 2026 (named day). It was answered by Mike Tapp (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 January 2026 on behalf of the Home Office.

HM Passport Office

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will review HM Passport Office's policy on considering urgent government business or compassionate reasons to include (a) scattering of ashes and (b) ritual and prayer ceremonies.

Answer

HM Passport Office policy already allows applications to be considered under compassionate grounds where there is a time-critical requirement arising from religious observance following a death. This includes the scattering of ashes or ritual and prayer ceremonies within a prescribed period.

To ensure staff apply the policy consistently, HM Passport Office is updating its internal guidance to state explicitly that these types of cases may meet the criteria for urgent consideration. Where travel for these purposes is planned but not subject to such time-sensitive requirements, standard processing times will apply.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
101362
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Religious practice HM Passport Office
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk