Young individuals between 16 and 17 year of age will now be able to put forward an application for a passport without the consent of their parents, announced the Identity and Passport Service (IPS).
The Identity and Passport Service said that the change in the rule will be in force from 10th December.
The IPS says that it will make sure that its service is appropriate with the present legal practice.
The IPS made it clear the parental consent is still be required in the case its requirement by a court order, or if the young applicant is suffering from a mental disability.
After a review of rule on passports for young people by the Identity and Passport Service, other alterations being made mean that a counter signatory will be required for the renewal of passports for individuals below 11 years of age. While the Identity and Passport Service will no longer need views from the parents before issuing a passport to any individual between 16 and 17 years of age, who has changed his/her name.
Meg Hillier, Home Office Minister, said, "Today's changes will bring passport practice into line with court practice on allowing young people to take responsibility for their own decisions".
Home Office Minister further said, "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".
