First time applications

IMPORTANT:  Please do not submit a first time application if you require a replacement pass as this may cause unnecessary delays.  Find out how to replace your Freedom Pass here.  

How to apply for an Older Persons Freedom Pass

You can apply online, or return your application form by post.  Please read the following information on how to apply.

Please note you are unable to apply at London Councils office. Instead you must choose one of the following methods of applying. 

1. Check if you are eligible

Please make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria first before applying. 

2. Apply online (recommended)

View the Freedom Pass privacy statement to find out what information we collect, why we collect it, and how long we keep your information for.

Click on the 'Apply online now' button.  You will be asked to provide the following:

  1. Provide your email address. You will be sent an email to confirm your email address.
  2. Complete your name and address details.
  3. Add proof of your name and age - Documents you need
  4. Add proof of your residential address in London - Documents you need
  5. Add a colour photograph of yourself - Photo requirements
  6. Agree to the terms and conditions
  7. Take a note of your application reference number so that you can track the progress of your Freedom Pass.

Apply online now  

How to add proof of your identity, address or photograph

If you are not able to add proof of your identity, address or photograph you can skip this section and instead return your documents by post. You will need to print a verification page to return in the post along with the required information

If you need help applying online, assistance and computers may be available at some local libraries or council offices, however, please check first by clicking on your relevant borough at the bottom of this page.

3. Apply by post

You can download and print an application form. 

*PLEASE DO NOT TAKE PHOTOCOPIES OF APPLICATION FORMS AS EACH FORM CONTAINS A BARCODE AND UNIQUE REFERENCE NUMBER WHICH IS USED TO TRACK INDIVIDUAL APPLICATIONS. REFRESH YOUR BROWSER AFTER EACH DOWNLOAD IF YOU REQUIRE MORE THAN ONE.

To find out where you can collect an application form from please click on your borough at the bottom of this page.

Am I Eligible?  

Please ensure you meet the age criteria first before submitting your application. 

  1. Complete and sign the application form
  2. Enclose a passport-sized colour photograph - Photo requirements
  3. Enclose proof of your identity and proof of your address - Documents you need
  4. Return in the post to: 

Freedom Pass Application, PO Box 572, Hull, HU9 9LP

Please make sure you put enough postage on the envelope to ensure your application is delivered.

4. Receiving your pass 

Once your application has been received your eligibility will be checked and your Freedom Pass posted to you within *10 working days. If you are submitting your form by post please allow a few extra days for your form to be delivered.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: The 5 year expiry date on the Freedom Pass is the lifespan of the card chip, and is not how long someone is entitled to hold the pass for.  Therefore, if you no longer meet the eligibility criteria for the Freedom Pass you hold it can be stopped at any time. 

5. Tracking your application

If you have applied for your Freedom Pass online you will be able to track its progress by logging into your account with your username (email address) and password. We will also email you once your pass has been posted. Please leave two to three working days from when you submit your application before trying to track it.

Cards are sent out by second-class post. If the online tracker shows that your card has been dispatched, it may take up to 10 working days to reach you. If you still haven’t received it after this time please email us at info@freedompass.org or call the Freedom Pass helpline on 0300 330 1433 and we will cancel the pass and issue you with a replacement. 

Transferring from the 60+ London Oyster Photocard to the Freedom Pass

London Councils, which operates the Freedom Pass scheme on behalf of the 33 London local authorities, has worked with Transport for London (TfL) to simplify the process for those with a 60+ Oyster card to transfer to the Older Persons Freedom Pass (66+) when you become eligible.

Approximately four weeks before you are entitled to a Freedom Pass, TfL transfers names, addresses, contact details and photographs to London Councils for people who have agreed that their data can be shared. London Councils will then write to you, inviting you to go online to confirm some details and order your pass. This avoids you having to complete a new application form or providing a new photograph. Your Freedom Pass will be sent by post to arrive before your 60+ oyster card expires.

If you have received your letter to transfer your 60+ Oyster pass you can transfer it online here

As well as being convenient, this method saves taxpayers money by avoiding the printing, transaction and postage costs of a paper application. If you hold a 60+ pass and have not already given your consent to share your data with London Councils, you can provide consent by calling TfL on 0343 222 1234. You can also ask to check and, if necessary, amend your data at the same time.

Click on the London borough in which you live to find out where you can obtain a paper application form.

If you live in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham you can now apply for the Older Person's Freedom Pass scheme directly via the London Councils website.

London Councils administers the scheme on behalf of the 32 London Boroughs and the City of London.

At the top of this webpage you will find instructions on how to apply.

Apply by post

You can download and print an application form. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU MEET THE AGE CRITERIA BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION.

1.         Complete and sign the application form

2.         Enclose a passport-sized colour photograph - Photo requirements

3.         Enclose proof of your identity and proof of your address - Documents you need

4.         Return in the post to:

Freedom Pass Application
PO Box 572
Hull, HU9 9LP

Please make sure you put enough postage on the envelope to ensure your application is delivered.

PLEASE DO NOT TAKE PHOTOCOPIES OF APPLICATION FORMS AS EACH FORM CONTAINS A BARCODE AND UNIQUE REFERENCE NUMBER WHICH IS USED TO TRACK INDIVIDUAL APPLICATIONS.

If you live in the London Borough of Barnet and do not have access to a computer, you can visit your local library and ask the staff to assist you.  Some Barnet libraries are now self-service.  Please check the opening times of your local library before your visit to find out when library staff will be available if you need assistance.

You can apply online or download application forms at Bexley Libraries if you are unable to do this at home.

If you live in the London Borough of Bexley and need help applying please contact your local library or call 020 8303 7777

Application forms can be found at:

Civic Centre library & Customer Service Department, inside of Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley, HA9 0FJ

If you live in the London Borough of Brent and need help applying a Customer Service officer will be able to assist at Brent Civic Centre

Application forms can be found at:

Bromley Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley, BR1 3UH
or from Bromley libraries

If you live in the London Borough of Bromley and need help applying please contact your local library first.

If you live in the London Borough of Camden you can now apply for the Older Person's Freedom Pass scheme directly via the London Councils website.

London Councils administers the scheme on behalf of the 32 London Boroughs and the City of London.

At the top of this webpage you will find instructions on how to apply. 

Application forms can be found at:

Barbican Library
Level 2, 
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, 
London, 
EC2Y 8DS
Shoe Lane Library
Little Hill House, 
Little New Street, 
London 
EC4A 3JR
Artizan Street Library and Community Centre
1 Artizan Street, 
London, 
E1 7AF

If you live in the City of London and need help applying please contact your local library first.

Application forms can be found at City of Westminster libraries.

If you live in the City of Westminster and need help applying please contact your local library.

Application forms can be downloaded from the website, however, if you do not have access to a printer you may wish to use the facilities available at:

Croydon Central Library, Croydon Clock tower, Katharine Street, Croydon. CR9 1ET

or from other Croydon libraries  Please note that printing fees apply.

If you live in the London Borough of Croydon and need help to download the application form please contact your local library first.

There are two ways to apply for an Older Persons Freedom Pass:

Online or download a form http://secure.freedompass.org/download-form-pdf and post this form to:

Ealing BBA, PO Box 68276, W5 9LQ.

 

Application forms can be found at Enfield libraries.

If you live in the London Borough of Enfield and need help applying please contact your local library.

Application forms can be found at Greenwich libraries.

If you live in the Royal Borough of Greenwich and need help applying please contact your local library first.

Application forms can be obtained by calling Hackney Service Centre on 0208 356 6262

Application forms can be found at:

Accessible Transport, First Floor, Hammersmith Town Hammersmith Town Hall Extension, King Street, London, W6 9JU

If you live in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and need help applying please contact the Accessible Transport Team on 020 8753 6681

 

Application forms can be found at:

Wood Green Central Library, 187-197A High Road, Wood Green, London N22 6XD

Application forms can be found at:

 

Greenhill Library, Perceval Square, College Road, Harrow, HA1 1GX

020 3714 7731/32, greenhill.library@harrowlibraries.org.uk

 

Kenton Library, Kenton Lane, Kenton HA3 8UJ

020 3714 7712, kenton.library@harrowlibraries.org.uk

 

Pinner Library, Marsh Road, Pinner HA5 5NQ

020 3714 7718, pinner.library@harrowlibraries.org.uk

 

Roxeth Library, Northolt Road, South Harrow HA2 8EQ

020 3714 7705, roxeth.library@harrowlibraries.org.uk

 

Stanmore Library, 8 Stanmore Hill, Stanmore HA7 3BQ

020 3714 7728, stanmore.library@harrowlibraries.org.uk

 

Wealdstone Library, The Wealdstone Centre, 38/40 High Street, Wealdstone HA3 7AE

020 3714 7725, wealdstone.library@harrowlibraries.org.uk

 

If you live in the London Borough of Harrow and need help applying please contact your local library first. Online applications can also be made at Harrow Civic/One Stop Shop where there are portals with internet access.

Application forms can be found at:

Central Library, St. Edwards Way, Romford, RM1 3AR
Upminster Library, Corbets Tey Road, Upminster, RM14 2BB
Hornchurch Library, North Street, Hornchurch, RM11 1TB

If you live in the London Borough of Havering, are a library member and want to access a computer you will need to book a PC first by calling one of the ten libraries.

Application forms can be downloaded from the London Councils website, however, if you do not have access to a printer please contact the London Borough of Hillingdon Freedom Pass Team on 01895 556633.

 

If you live in the London Borough of Hounslow and need help applying please visit your local library.

 

If you live in the London Borough of Islington and need help applying please contact your local library first.

Library opening hours leaflet

Application forms can be found at Kensington &Chelsea libraries.

If you live in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and need help applying please contact your local library.

Application forms can be found at Kingston library, Fairfield Rd, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2PS

If you live in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and need help applying please contact your local library.

 

Application forms can be completed online at:

Lambeth Civic Centre; 6 Brixton Hill, SW6 1EG

If you live in the London Borough of Lambeth and need help applying please contact your local library first to see if a digi buddie will be available to assist you.

If you do not have access to a smart phone or tablet computer or you require assistance to apply on line please contact one of the following venues where staff will be happy to help you.

  • Leemore Centre, Bonfield Road, SE13 5EU –Monday – Wednesday and Friday 10am – 1pm, please call 0800 231 5453 for an appointment
  • Corbett Community Library, Torridon Road, Catford, SE6 1RQ. Monday and Thursday 9.30 – 1.00pm, please call 020 8378 5358 for an appointment.

If you are not able to attend any of these venues you can downloaded a form from this site and return it by post.

Application forms can be found at all Merton libraries

or,

Merton Civic Centre Reception London Rd, Morden SM4 5DX

 

There are two ways to apply for an Older Persons Freedom Pass:

Online or download a form http://secure.freedompass.org/download-form-pdf and post this form to:

Freedom Pass, PO Box 6618, Arbroath DD11 9AT.

 

Application forms can be found at Redbridge Libraries

or,

One Stop Shop, Lynton House, Ground Floor, 255 - 259 High Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1NN

Application forms can be found at:

Your nearest library in the borough,
or, Civic Centre, 44 York Street, TW1 3BZ, Tel. 020 8891 1411.
 

 

Application forms can be found at:

John Harvard Library
211 Borough High Street, London, SE1 1JA, 
Dulwich Library
368 Lordship Lane, SE22 8NB
Canada Water Library
21 Surrey Quays Road, London, SE16 7AR
or at,
My Southwark Service Points: 
Walworth
376 Walworth Road, SE17 2NG
Peckham
122 Peckham Hill Street, Ground floor, London, SE15 5JR

If you live in the London Borough of Southwark and need help applying please contact your local library. 

If you live in the London Borough of Sutton and are unable to apply online, you can apply in person at any Sutton Borough Library or at Sutton Civic Offices.   Please check the opening times before visiting. It is not necessary to complete a form in advance.

Support sessions for online applications are available as follows: Please note that paper application forms will not be available from Idea Stores

Idea Store Whitechapel, 321 Whitechapel Road E1 1BU    Mondays 10.15am to 11.45am

Idea Store Bow, 1 Gladstone Place E3 5ES    Thursdays 10.00am to 12.00pm

Idea Store Chrisp Street, 1 Vesey Path, East India Dock Road E14 6BT   Thursdays 10.00am to 12.00pm

Idea Store Watney Market, 260 Commercial Road E1 2FB   Thursdays 10.00am to 12.00pm

Cubitt Town Library, Strattondale Street E14 3HG   Thursdays 10.30am to 12.00pm

Application forms can be printed at your request at:

• Leyton Library High Road Leyton  E10 5QH
• North Chingford Library The Green Chingford E4 7EN
• Walthamstow Library High Street Walthamstow E17 7JN
Leytonstone Library 6 Church Lane London E11 1HG
• Hale End Library  Castle Avenue, Highams Park E4 9QD
• Higham Hill Library North Countess Road Walthamstow E17 5HS
• Wood Street Library Forest Road Walthamstow E17 4AA
• Lea Bridge Library  Lea Bridge Road Leyton E10 7HU

Further information can be found at www.walthamforest.gov.uk

The contact telephone number for any enquiries is 020 8496 3000 open Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00 pm

 Application forms can be found at the customer centre and libraries.

Related pages