All passport fees set to increase next month

New passport fees will be introduced for all applications on February 2, the first time in five years that the cost of applying for a passport has increased.

The proposals, which are subject to Parliamentary scrutiny, will include the following:

• 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
• priority service fees are being aligned so all customers will pay the same.

The new fees will help the Home Office move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation. The government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications, said a spokesman for HM Passport Office.

The fees will also contribute to the cost of processing passport applications, consular support overseas, including for lost or stolen passports, and the cost of processing British citizens at UK borders. The increase will also help enable the government to continue improving its services.

The new fees include those newly applying or renewing their passport.

Since January last year, over 95 per cent of standard applications have been processed within ten weeks and customers are advised that they should apply in good time before travelling. Apply online for a UK passport.