Passport cost increase for adults, children and OAPs in the UK

Prices for a new or renewed passport will soon increase on 11 April 2024 – but how much will you need to pay when the go up and who will get one for free?

Here we look at the cost of getting a new or replacement passport for adults, children and OAPs as prices are set to jump.

How much are new passports? Find out how much you will need to pay for your passport. (Credit: Pete Barden)

How much is a new passport?

What you pay for a new passport – or if you pay at all – depends on your age and how you apply for the new document.

Applying for a new passport online is the cheapest way to do this, and documents for children are also cheaper than the adult version.

Are passport prices going up?

Yes. Passport fees are increasing for the second year running on 11 April, with the standard online adult application increasing from £82.50 to £88.50, while the postal application for the same going up from £93 to £100. A full list of the price increases can be seen in the table below.

When will passport price increases come into force?

The price rises will be applied from 11 April, so apply before the 1st to ensure you pay the lesser amount.

Passport fees and prices from 11 April 2024 for standard applications

The following fees are how much you will need to pay for a standard passport application – rather than a fast-track etc – depending on age and how you apply.

Application type	Current fee	New fee from 11 April 2024
Online (standard)
Adult	£82.50	£88.50
Child	£53.50	£57.50
Paper form (standard)
Adult	£93	£100
Child	£64	£69
Fast track (one-week service)
Adult	£155	£166.50
Child	£126	£135.50
Premium (same-day service)
Adult	£193.50	£207.50

How can I pay for my passport - can I use cash?

The way you pay for your passport can depend on the method you use for the application - but cash, card and cheque can be accepted if you choose the right passport application. See the following table for payment methods accepted by each type of passport application.

How to pay

Depending on how you apply, you can pay by:

debit or credit card
cash
cheque or postal order (payable to the correct organisation, and write the application barcode numbers on the back)

	Debit or credit card accepted	Cheque or postal order	Cash
Apply using the Post Office Passport Check and Send service	Yes	Postal order payable to ‘Post Office Ltd’ Cheques not accepted	Yes
Apply by post	Yes - complete the form in the application pack	Cheque or postal order payable to ‘Her Majesty’s Passport Office’	No
Apply online	Yes	No	No

Fees for returning supporting documents such as birth certificate

Supporting documents (such birth certificates) are sent back to you for free by normal second class post.

If you want these important documents sent back by secure delivery, you will typically be charged £5 for this. Choose this when making your application.

Do OAPs get free passports?

Not all OAPs in the UK will get a free passport - only those people born on or before 2 September 1929 will get a free passport.

How much is the 1 week Fast Track passport service?

If, like many travellers at present, you urgently need to update your passport after Covid lockdowns and delays, you can try to get an appointment for the 1 week Fast Track service offered by HM Passport office.

This type of application costs more than the standard postal or online service. Here are the charges:

Fast track (one-week service)
Adult	Current £155	New £166.50
Child	Current £126	New £135.50

You can book an appointment for this fast-track passport service here.

How much for the same-day passport application?

This service is for urgent renewals and the fastest you can get a passport is two days from the time you apply. However, there is currently heavy pressure on this service and getting an appointment is likely to take considerably longer.

You will need to apply, pay and book an appointment online.

You’ll get your new passport at your appointment and these appointments can last up to 30 minutes.

Premium (same-day service)
Adult	Current £193.50	New £207.50

You can apply for the online premium passport service here.

How to track your passport application when it is in the system

The ability to track your passport can make the application process more manageable for those desperately awaiting a new document. Here’s how to track the various forms of applications:

Paper application passport tracking:

You need: To track your paper application you will need the barcode number from your application form.
When: You will need to leave three weeks after you apply before you can track your application.
Where to track: Log on here to track the status of your passport application.

Post Office Check & Send application passport tracking:

You need: To track your Check & Send application you will need the number from your receipt.
When: You will need to leave three weeks after you apply before you can track your application.
Where to track: Log on here to track the status of your passport application.

Online application passport tracking:

You need: To track your online application you will need to save your username and password when you apply. Be sure to make a note of it – the details are only given out once.
When: You will then be able to log in and track whenever you want.
Where to track: Log on here to track the status of your online passport application.

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Author: Pete Barden:

Twitter: @pete_barden

Pete Barden is a qualified journalist who has written and produced for publications including The Sun (thesun.co.uk), New Statesman Media Group, Whatcar? (Whatcar.com) Stuff Magazine (Stuff.tv), Fastcar Magazine (Fastcar.co.uk), Maxim Magazine and UK broadcast stations within the Heart network (Formerly GCAP). Pete specialises in motoring and travel content, along with news and production roles. You can find out more about Pete Barden on LinkedIn.

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