The upcoming month will see a notable increase in the cost of all passports, following the confirmation of proposed plans by the Home Office.
The Home Office has suggested an 8% rise in passport prices in the UK, potentially exceeding £100 for adults for the first time. This increase will also apply to child and pensioner passports, with the adjustments scheduled to take effect on April 8.
According to the Home Office, the aim is to transition to a self-sustaining system funded by users rather than general taxation. The proposed fee hikes are pending Parliamentary approval.
Stated by the Home Office, the enhanced fees will enable the department to shift towards a user-funded model, alleviating the need for general tax support. These fees cover passport processing, consular services abroad, handling lost or stolen passports, and processing British citizens at UK borders.
Starting April 8, the standard online application fee for an adult UK passport will climb from £94.50 to £102. Postal applications for adults may see an increase from £107 to £115.50.
For child passport applications, the standard online fee could rise from £61.50 to £66.50, while postal applications for children may increase from £74 to £80.
Individuals born on or before September 2, 1929, holding any British nationality during application, are eligible for a free 32-page concessionary passport.
Applicants who naturalized or registered as British nationals qualify for the free concession, regardless of when the naturalization or registration occurred. However, there might be delivery charges for passport return or sending supporting documents.
While it is advised to apply for a new or replacement passport early, the UK offers a next-day premium service. However, starting April 8, this service’s fee could rise from £222 to £239.50.
Overseas applicants for UK passports may face increased fees for online applications, rising from £108 to £116.50 for adults and from £70 to £75.50 for children. Paper applications overseas may increase from £120.50 to £130 for adults and from £82.50 to £89 for children.
The last passport price adjustment in the UK was on April 10, 2025, with a 7% increase. Adult passports rose from £88.50 to £94.50, and child online applications increased from £57.50 to £61.50.
Prior to 2025, price adjustments occurred in April 2024 and February 2023. The 2023 escalation marked the first increase in five years.
To avoid delays, the government advises applying for a new passport well in advance, as processing can take up to three weeks in the UK, or longer during peak travel periods. For further information or to apply for a UK passport, visit the government website.
