Applying for a new passport? The big mistake that could cost YOU money

Applying for a new passport this summer? The big mistake that could cost YOU money

• How you apply for your passport is vital, as registering in-person will cost more
• This simple mistake could cost your family an extra £40, if you all need renewals
• All prices are due to increase next month, the Home Office announced this week

If you are looking to renew your expired passport, then there is a simple mistake which could end up costing you more money. 

How you choose to apply for your passport is vital, as it could end up costing a family-of-four £40 more than it should. 

If you register for your passport online, it becomes cheaper than submitting an application in person. 

A standard 34-page passport for anyone over the age of 16 will cost you £75.50 a person when you apply online.

However, if you choose to apply via a physical form, you will be out of pocket by £10, as the price is £85.

A standard 34-page passport for anyone over the age of 16 will cost you £75.50 a person when you apply online but £10 more in-person

The government announced this week that the fee for a standard online application made from within the UK will rise

This applies for children’s passports, which, online are £49, but will cost you £58.80 when using a written application.

As the warmer seasons approach, Brits are being pushed to apply for passports now, ahead of the Spring rush of holidaymakers. 

But being ill-prepared could put you out of pocket, as a fast-track passport renewal costs £142, which is almost double the standard application.  

However, the Home Office announced this week that all prices are due to increase next month, so if you need a new passport, you should apply soon to avoid the higher costs. 

The fee for a standard online application made from within the UK will rise from £75.50 to £82.50 for adults and £49 to £53.50 for children.

Postal applications will increase from £85 to £93 for adults and £58.50 to £64 for children.

These new prices will be introduced from February 2 this year. 

We revealed last month that Passport Office staff shared nearly a million pounds in bonuses the last financial year, as hundreds of thousands of Britons faced delays and travel chaos.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) response – which was provided by the Home Office six months after the initial request – showed a total of £958,000 in non-consolidated bonuses was handed out in 2021-22. 

Five senior civil servants split £31,836, with the maximum award £8,000.

Some 69 grade six and seven staff received up to £1,500 each from a £126,000 pot.

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