Starting from tomorrow, the cost of renewing a UK passport will see a significant increase of over 7%, affecting online applications made within the UK for individuals aged 16 and above.
The adjustment in passport fees aims to better align with the expenses associated with passport processing and enhance government services.
Under the new proposals, the fee for online applications within the UK will rise from £82.50 to £88.50 for adults aged 16 and above. The Home Office emphasises that the fee adjustment is essential to ensure that the income generated from passport applications covers the costs of passport processing and associated operations, thereby reducing reliance on funding from general taxation.
The government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications, and the fees collected contribute to various aspects of passport-related services. This includes the processing of passport applications, providing consular support overseas for lost or stolen passports, and managing the processing of British citizens at UK borders.
The new passport application costs are outlined as follows:
– Standard online application made from within the UK: £88.50 for adults, £57.50 for children
– Standard postal application: £100.00 for adults, £69.00 for children
– Standard online application when applying from overseas: £101.00 for adults, £65.50 for children
– Standard paper application when applying from overseas: £112.50 for adults, £77.00 for children
This increase in passport fees comes after a similar rise of around 9% in February last year. As the wait time for renewing a UK passport is approximately 3 weeks, individuals are advised to renew their passports well in advance to avoid any delays. It’s crucial to check the expiry date and the issuance date of the passport, as passports cannot be used if they are over 10 years old.