The UK has already handed out new passports without the words “European Union” on the front page this week due to the government's initial preparation for the “B-day" which was supposed to happen on March 29, the BBC reported. 

Some people may still receive the old versions until the remaining stock are used up, and personal choices between the two are not allowed, the Home Office said.  

Susan Hindle Barone tweeted a picture of her new passport without the EU label on the cover, saying she was truly appalled (Photo: Twitter)

However, the newly released burgundy passport is still a bridge between a two-stage process as the dark-blue passport resembling the pre-EU British design would gradually be phased in from the end of the year.

Prime Minister Theresa May, in a formal letter to EU Council president Donald Tusk  on Friday, asked the European Union to delay Britain's departure from the bloc until June 30, with the extension ending earlier if parliament approves her Brexit deal.

The current deadline is April 12, which has already been pushed back once from March 29 because of the UK parliament's failure on three occasions to back the deal May signed with the other 27 EU leaders in December.

(With input from AFP)