Bermudians will no longer be able to apply for British passports in Bermuda and will have to go through a Washington DC office.

Beginning on November 1, those who wish to apply for a British citizen passport will not be able to fill out paperwork and drop it off at the Department of Immigration.

A Department spokesman said: "This will change as of November 1. As of this date the Department of Immigration will no longer accept applications for British citizen passports.

"Instead people wishing to apply for a full validity British citizen passport should do so by sending their applications by courier or registered post to the UK Passport Service Centre in Washington DC. This will be the new passport production centre for Bermuda."

These changes will not apply to those applying for or renewing British Overseas Territories Citizen — Bermuda passports.

"The change is part of a global initiative to streamline the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's passport operation to make it more cost effective, secure and sustainable", the spokesman said.

Members of the public can use a courier company to send in their application. Passports sent from Washington will arrive via UPS.

The cost of the passport will remain the same — $212 for adults and $135 for children under the age of 16.

However an additional charge of $21 will be made to cover the cost of returning it via UPS.

Passports will be ready within ten working days, but applicants should allow additional time for shipping.

The mailing address for British Citizen Passport processing is: The UK Passport Service Centre for the Americas and Caribbean, British Embassy, 19 Observatory Circle, NW Washington, DC 20008, USA.

For more information, guidance and copies of application forms visit the website www.ukinusa.fco.gov.uk.