A standard online application increased by £6 for adults, while a child’s version rose from £57.50 to £61.50. Postal applications went up to £107 from £100 for adults and to £74 for children after a £5 increase.
If you are abroad and want to apply for a passport, the cost will now be £108 for adults and £70 for children, following rises of £7 and £5.50 respectively.
The paper equivalent had similar increases to £120.50 for adults and £82.50 for under-16-year-olds.
If you require a passport the next day, it will set you back £222, following a £14.50 increase, and £189 for children (previously £176.50).
Price increases are, according to the Government, “to help the Home Office move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it”.
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The Home Office also noted that the Government does not make any profit from the price increases and the fees were reviewed in line with Treasury guidance.
Last year, the length of time it took to apply for a new passport – where no information was required – took three weeks in 99.7% of cases, according to the Government department.
Meanwhile, the changes follow hefty hikes to emergency passport prices implemented yesterday (9 April).
Should you lose or damage your passport or have it expire while you are abroad, an emergency travel document will cost £125 versus its previous £100 cost to allow you to travel. This document is also required should your passport be with HM Passport Office or a foreign embassy.
However, if a travel document cannot be arranged or administered, an emergency passport will be required, and the cost of that increased by £50 to £125.
Travel insurance importance
Tom Lyon, director at Compare the Market, said: “It’s only becoming more important to ensure that you are covered in the event that your passport is lost or stolen whilst on holiday.
“Fortunately, most travel insurance policies offer cover for lost and stolen passports when travelling abroad. This could include the cost of a replacement passport, an emergency travel document, new flights, and extra accommodation if you have to extend your stay.”
Lyon added: “Before planning a trip abroad, you should also check the expiry date on your passport. Most countries require at least six months’ validity on a passport for entry to be granted.
“If it has expired, you should not begin making travel arrangements until you have received a new passport. If you need to renew, you can send a paper application form to the Post Office or apply online, which is usually faster.”
