UK passport price increase 2018 – how much does it cost to renew a British passport and how can I apply for a new one?
The Home Office plans are set to see fees go up across the board - but with larger increases if you're applying by post
PASSPORTS for both children and adult are going to get more expensive on March 27, regardless how you make your application.
Applications will cost more in the post than online for the first time, but here's how to beat the price hike...
How much will prices increase?
Currently, a standard adult passport or renewal costs £72.50 regardless of how the application is made.
The fee will rise to £75.50 for online applications and £85 for postal applications, making HM Passport Office an added £50million in 2018-19.
Charges for children's passports will go up from £46 currently to £49 online and £58.50 in the post.
The £12.50 increase for the postal service represents a jump of 17 per cent for adults and 27 per cent for children.
Why are the changes being made and when will they come into effect?
The changes are underpinned by new fee-setting powers given to HM Passport Office under the Immigration Act 2016 to give it the resources it needs to process six million applications a year.
The changes have been earmarked to come into effect in just a few weeks.
If they are signed off by Parliament, they will come into force on March 27.
The proposals are unrelated to the announcement that the UK passport will change colour from burgundy to blue after Britain leaves the EU.
Can I save money by renewing before the deadline?
Yes: You can renew your passport at any time, but you'll have to be quick to renew before March 27.
If you renew now, any time left on your old passport will be transferred to your new one up to a maximum of nine months. So if your current passport expires before December 27, it might be worth renewing in the next few weeks.
HM Passport Office has said it plans to draft in up to 200 extra staff to cope with extra demand in the run-up to the price increase.
It currently takes around three weeks for a new passport to arrive.
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Beware of scam websites
Some websites, emails or phone numbers can look like they’re part of an official government service but are used to overcharge or steal your money.
They can charge huge fees for services official government sites offer for free and can often pay to be at the top of internet search engines such as Google to look legitimate.
Make sure when renewing a passport or completing any Government-related application that you are using a website with a "gov.uk" address.
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