Passports fees set to rise: how you can keep costs down

Passport application fees are set to increase, meaning you could soon be paying more for a new or renewed passport.

Here’s what’s changing and how you can avoid paying more than you need to.

What will the new costs be?

You can expect to pay:

• adult passport (online): rising from £94.50 to £102
• child passport (online): rising from £61.50 to £66.50

If you apply by post, it’ll cost you even more:

• adult: rising from £107 to £115.50
• Child: rising from £74 to £80

If you need your passport urgently:

• one-day premium service: rising from £222 to £239.50

If you’re applying from overseas:

• adult (online): rising from £108 to £116.50
• child (online): rising from £70 to £75.50
• adult (paper): rising from £120.50 to £130
• child (paper): rising from £82.50 to £89

Why are fees going up?

The government says the roughly 8% increase is to make the passport system pay for itself. It means you, as the user, cover more of the cost, rather than relying on general taxation.

The fees help fund:

• processing applications
• support for British citizens overseas, for example, if you lose your passport
• border and consular services

When will the changes happen?

The new prices are expected to come into force on 8 April, as long as parliament approves them.

How you can keep your passport costs down

There are a few simple ways you can avoid paying more than necessary:

Apply online

You’ll save at least £13.50 compared to applying by post. It’s the cheapest and quickest option.

Stick to the official website

Only use the official government website. Third-party websites often charge extra fees you don’t need to pay.

Get your photo right first time

If your photo doesn’t meet the rules, you could face delays, or even have to pay again. Double-check it before you submit.

Apply early

If you leave it too late, you might feel forced to pay for fast-track or premium services, which are much more expensive.

Standard online applications usually take up to three weeks, as long as everything is correct.

Skip ‘check & send’

The Post Office’s check & send service costs £16 per application. While it can be helpful, you can avoid this fee by carefully checking your form yourself.

Check your passport’s validity

Before you travel, make sure your passport is valid for long enough:

• many countries require at least six months validity from your departure date
• some, like parts of Europe, may require less, but six months is the safest rule

If you check early, you’ll avoid last-minute renewals and expensive urgent services.