Cookies

The online passport application service puts small files (known as ‘cookies’) onto your device in order to:

  • remember what messages you’ve seen so you’re not shown them again
  • understand how you use the service so we can update and improve it
  • temporarily store information you enter to support your application

Find out more about the cookies we use, what they’re for and when they expire.

Optional cookies

Cookies that measure website use

We use Google Analytics to collect information about how you use this service. This helps us check it’s meeting your needs and make improvements.

Google isn’t allowed to use or share our analytics data and you can opt out of Google Analytics cookies.

Name Purpose Expires
_ga Used to distinguish users 2 years
_gat Used to throttle request rate 10 minutes
_gcl_au Used by Google AdSense for experimenting with advertisement efficiency across websites using their services 3 months
_gid Used to distinguish users 24 hours
_gac Contains campaign related information for the user 90 days

These cookies don’t identify you personally. You can still apply for a passport online if you don’t accept cookies that measure website use.

Cookies

Essential cookies

Essential cookies remember your progress through your application. They always need to be on.

Introductory cookie message

When you first use the service we show a ‘cookie message’. We then store a cookie on your computer so it knows not to show this message again.

Name Purpose Expires
ga-opt-in Used to store your Google Analytics preference 1 month

Session cookies

We store session cookies on your computer to help keep your information secure while you use the service.

Name Purpose Expires
hmpo.*.sid Stores a session ID and temporarily stores data you enter to enable you to register or make an application When you close your browser
lang Stores your language choice When you close your browser
pex-last-access Stores the time you last accessed the service 24 hours

Error detection

Name Purpose Expires
hmpo-wizard-sc Used to detect errors and show relevant content – eg if your session has expired When you close your browser
pex-submitted Used to detect a previously submitted application and show relevant content 1 month
pex-cc Used to detect if cookies are enabled and show relevant content When you close your browser

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