What are examples of "Official Observations" in a passport?

Question

I noticed in my UK passport that there is a page (next to the details page) labelled "This space is reserved for official observations". Underneath it says "There are no official observations". What are some examples of official observations that might be recorded here?

Answer 1

I worked for UK Border Force some years back.

Examples are an instruction from a UK Consular Official to impound a passport on arrival in the UK. Usually for someone who has been repatriated at UK Government expense. The passport would then be held till the air fare was repaid.

Sometimes there can be instructions issued by courts in connection with Wards of Court, who need permission to travel overseas. So “only valid for travel to Y country in X circumstances.”

Sometimes with folk who are known professionally by another name. That can be shown. (Presumably helps with airline ticketing).

Answer 2

The UK Government has the list of possible standard observations and has the following categorization (free text is possible as well):

1. Immigration and nationality observations
   • UK immigration observations
   • Hong Kong immigration observations
   • British overseas territory or Crown dependency immigration observations
2. Diplomatic, Official and King’s Messenger Service observations
   • diplomatic observations
   • official observations
   • King’s Messenger observations
3. Identity observation
   • Names observations
   • Titles observations
   • Employment observations
4. Validity observations

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Not in the UK, but in the US, the International Megan's Law mandates that anyone convicted for a sex offense with a minor, 22 USC § 212b - Unique passport identifiers for covered sex offenders

Except as provided under paragraph (2), the Secretary of State shall not issue a passport to a covered sex offender unless the passport contains a unique identifier, and may revoke a passport previously issued without such an identifier of a covered sex offender.

It must have the following endorsement printed in any passport for any covered sex offender

The bearer was convicted of a sex offense against a minor, and is a covered sex offender pursuant to 22 United States Code Section 212b(c)(1)

Answer 3

To add to @Elwyn's answer:

Professional titles and forms of address such as Doctor, Judge, Ministers of Religion, Professor, MP, MEP, and QC may on request be entered as an observation in the passport

Edit: this was a quote from another forum, which didn't have a source. After some Googling, traced the quote to this document. It looks like a government document, but I wasn't able to find it anywhere else other than a 3rd party source, probably because it is now out of date. A more up-to-date guidance is on the Home Office website.

It appears there are many other types of title, honour and qualification that may be entered as an observation.

Answer 4

One example (from prior to Brexit) was that residents of the Channel Islands or Isle of Man who did not have sufficient connection to the UK (ie having lived in the UK for 5 years or having a parent or grandparent born in the UK) would have their passport endorsed “The holder is not entitled to benefit from EU provisions relating to employment or establishment”, as the Crown Dependencies remained outside of the EU.

Answer 5

To add to previous answers, I do hold a British passport and I also have a Ph.D. When applying for a British passport, an option is given to add any titles you might hold as previously advised in Nicolas' answer. In my case, in that area, it states:

The holder is:
Doctor [My full name]

Answer 6

Persons holding UK passports due to having been permanent residents of Hong Kong on or before 30 June 1997 (also known as BN(O)s) have special endorsements stating their connection to Hong Kong, and some technicalities related to their status. Despite being technically considered British nationals, they have no right to abode or to work in the UK or any of its territories.

In general, a BN(O) passport is endorsed with:

The holder is subject to control under the Immigration Act 1971.

In accordance with the United Kingdom immigration rules, the holder of this passport does not require an entry certificate or visa to visit the United Kingdom.

The Holder of this passport has Hong Kong permanent identity card no XXXXXXXX which states that the holder has the right of abode in Hong Kong.