Identity and Passport Service
From SR
Roles
The Identity and Passport Service (IPS), is an executive agency of the Home Office responsible for issuing UK passports and ID cards.
The passport is a uniquely important document. It provides universally acceptable evidence of a person’s nationality. Holding a passport allows UK citizens to exercise one of their fundamental rights: to leave and re-enter the country.
The development of the National Identity Scheme builds on the changes being made to passports to provide a secure and straightforward way to safeguard personal identities from misuse.
The IPS works closely with the UK Border Agency, UKvisas and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to deliver consistent service standards for identity documents across these organisations. The Agency has a key role in transforming the way government interacts with UK citizens and businesses by developing common standards in identity management.
History
The Identity and Passport Service was established as an Executive Agency of the Home Office on 1 April 2006. The Agency builds on the strong foundations of the UK Passport Service (UKPS) to provide passport services and in the future, as part of the National Identity Scheme, ID cards for British and foreign nationals resident in the UK.
Structure & Reporting Hierarchy
The IPS delivers their service through a network of national and regional offices. The Chief Executive is also the Home Office Director General of the Identity and Passport Service (IPS), sits on the Home Office management board and is accountable to the Home Office Permanent Secretary.
