Passport history timeline

The idea of a passport has existed since people began to travel from one country to another. It has a traditional role as a document of national identity, as well as an aid to travel.

Date            Event

1414             A reference is made to 'safe conducts' (the earliest passports) in an act of Parliament during the reign of King Henry V.

1450            The Privy Council Register begins, leaving us a record of Privy Council business. According to the register, this includes granting
                   passports.

1641            A passport from this date still exists. It was issued on 18 June and signed by King Charles I.

1644 -1649   References in the Commons Journal show that both the House of Commons and the House of Lords grants passes to foreign and
                   British subjects during these years.

1772            Until this date, passports were written in Latin or English. From this date onwards they are written in French (see the 1858 entry).

1794            From this date, all passports are issued by the Secretary of State and their issue is recorded. (Before this date some passports were
                   issued and signed by the king or queen.)

1858            From this date, passports are restricted to United Kingdom nationals. (Before this date a 'passport' could be issued to a person of any
                   nationality as a promise of 'safe conduct' from the King or Queen.) Passports start to be written in English again from this date,
                   having been written in French since 1772.

1914            Start of the First World War. By this point, British passports are printed on paper and contain a photograph of the passport holder.
                   The British Nationality and Status Aliens Act is passed. Around the world, countries start issuing passports as a way of distinguishing
                   their citizens from others they think of as 'foreign nationals'.

1915            The first modern UK passport is issued. It is a folded one-page document valid for two years.

1920            The League of Nations International Conference on Passports agrees on a new book format for passports; the 32-page British blue
                   passport is introduced. The British Passport Service is formed.

1954            UK passports no longer show the name of the Secretary of State.

1961            The British Visitor's passport is introduced. It is available from Crown Post Offices and can be used for visiting western Europe.

1968            The first 10-year UK passports are issued.

1972            Passports are changed slightly, for example, the paper used now has a special watermark for security.

1973            A 94-page passport is introduced for frequent travellers.

1975            Passport photographs are now laminated for security - it is harder to change the photograph.

1981            An overprint is added to the laminate to further increase security.

1984            Occupation and country of residence details are no longer included on passports.

1988            'Family' or 'joint' passports are no longer issued. The first burgundy-coloured machine-readable UK passports are issued.
                   A common format is introduced for European Community member states' passports.

1995            The British Visitor's passport is discontinued.

1997            The first UK passports with references to the European Union are issued.

1998            New security measures include the use of a digital facial image rather than a laminated photograph and intaglio or raised printing
                   on the inside on the front and back covers is introduced. Children under 16 can no longer be included on new adult passports, but
                   must have a separate child passport.

2006            Passports featuring electronic chip and antenna introduced.

2010            New passport design includes strengthened security features and iconic images from across the nation.