Changes to passport rules for young people / Identity and Passport Service, 30 October 2007
http://www.identitycards.gov.uk/press-2007-10-30.asp
"Young people aged 16 or 17 will now be able to apply for a passport without parental consent, the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) announced. The new measure will bring passports in line with modern legal practice for 16 and 17 year olds. Parental consent will still be needed where a court order requires it or the young person has a mental disability."