So you’re about to jet off on your summer holidays when you realise that your passport has just expired. Panic sets in as you start looking into the cost of passport renewal in the UK and all other requirements. Don’t worry, we’re here to help!
In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about renewing a passport in the UK — from what documentation is required to how long it will take for your new passport to arrive. We’ll also give you an idea of how much it will cost you to renew your passport so you can budget accordingly.
Passport fees vary depending on how you apply, whether you’re an adult or a child, and whether you want a standard 34-page passport or a larger 50-page frequent traveller passport.
For adults (16 years and over) , submitting a renewal application online costs £75.50 . Furthermore, if you’re applying for passport renewal via post, it’ll cost you £85. That is the price for a standard 34-page UK passport . A 50-page frequent traveller passport for adults costs £85.50 online and £95 via post .
For children (under 16 years) , a standard 34-page passport costs £49 for an online application and £58.50 for a paper form application. A 50-page frequent traveller passport for children costs £59 online and £68.50 through the postal service.
Finally, people born before 2 September 1929 are entitled to an entirely free passport . For a full breakdown of these prices, check out the table below.
| Passport Type | Online Application | Paper Form Application |
| Adult standard 34-page passport | £75.50 | £85 |
| Adult 50-page frequent traveller passport | £85.50 | £95 |
| Child standard 34-page passport | £49 | £58.50 |
| Child 50-page frequent traveller passport | £59 | £68.50 |
| People born before 2 September 1929 | Free | Free |
The easiest and quickest way to apply for a UK passport renewal is online . You can find the application form on the UK government’s website. When filling out the form, make sure you have your current passport, a digital photo of yourself, and a credit/debit card at hand.
Here is the information that you will need to enter:
1. The number, issue date and expiry date of your current passport
2. Full name, including any changes since your last passport
3. Date and place of birth
4. Gender
5. Address
6. Email address and phone number
You will also need to upload a recent digital photograph that follows the passport photo guidelines. There are two ways to upload your digital passport photo online:
1. You can get someone to take a passport photo of you at home with a digital camera or a smartphone and submit it to your online application.
2. You can have your photo taken in a photo booth or shop, in which case you will get a unique code. You will need to enter that code into your application, and your photo will be uploaded.
Once you have entered your digital photo and all the required information, you can submit your application and pay the fee.
The final step you will need to take is to send your old passport to Her Majesty’s Passport Office by post.
If you’re renewing your passport via post, you will need to pick up a passport application form from a Post Office branch and fill it in by hand. Once you’ve completed the form, send it off to the address provided, along with your current passport and two identical printed photos. You can pay the passport renewal fee either by check or credit/debit card.
The Post Office also offers a Passport Check and Send Service for an additional £16. If you choose to apply with this service, the Post Office will ensure your application is in order and fulfils all the requirements before forwarding it. You can choose between a digital and a paper form application, but keep in mind that not all branches offer this service.
The passport waiting time depends on the method you used to apply and whether you’re applying for a standard or fast-track service.
A standard online passport renewal typically takes around three weeks or an average of 22 days . However, if you’re renewing your passport via post, it can take up to six weeks for your passport to be renewed. Whether you applied online or by mail, it is possible to track the status of your passport application online.
If you need your passport urgently, you can apply for an urgent passport renewal by booking a passport office appointment. These are two ways to apply for an urgent passport renewal .
As its name suggests, the 1 Week Fast Track service allows you to get your passport within a week . The service can be used for various reasons, such as renewing an old passport, changing some details in your current passport or applying for a new passport for a child.
To apply for the 1 Week Fast Track service, you’ll need to get a passport application form from your local Post Office. You cannot apply online for this service. Then, you will need to schedule an appointment with the Passport office, which you can do online. At this point, you will need to pay the passport fee .
The passport renewal fee for the 1 Week Fast Track service for adults is £142 for a standard passport and £152 for a frequent traveller passport. For children, a standard passport costs £122, while a frequent traveller’s passport costs £132 .
With the Online Premium service, you can get your new passport in as little as two days . You can apply for the service and book an appointment online. The earliest you can get an appointment is two days from when you apply. If your application is successful, you should get your new passport at the appointment itself.
The Online Premium service costs £177 for a regular 34-page passport and £187 for a 50-page frequent traveller passport. Note that you can only use the Online Premium service to renew an adult UK passport issued after 31 December 2001.
In the table below, you can see the full breakdown of the prices of urgent passport renewal in the UK.
| Passport Type | 1-Week Fast Track Service | Online Premium Service |
| Adult standard 34-page passport | £142 | £177 |
| Adult 50-page frequent traveller passport | £152 | £187 |
| Child standard 34-page passport | £122 | N/A |
| Child 50-page frequent traveller passport | £132 | N/A |
If you find yourself abroad and need to renew your passport, you can do so by filling out a simple application form on the UK government website.
You will need to complete the form and submit it, along with a digital passport photo, and then pay the passport renewal fee . The cost of renewing a British passport from abroad is £86 for adults and £56 for children. In addition to that, you will also need to pay a £19.86 courier fee .
Even if your passport hasn’t expired yet, you still may need to renew it before travelling if there is not enough time left on it. Most EU countries have rules regarding UK passport expiry dates and issue time.
These are the two rules that you will need to follow if you’re travelling to a country in the European Union:
Keep in mind that these two requirements are independent of each other, so there is no need to have a passport issued less than nine years, nine months ago.
When you weigh up the cost and the potential inconvenience of your passport expiring while abroad, it’s generally advisable to renew your passport well in advance of its expiry date.
So, there you have it! We covered everything you need to know about renewing your passport in the UK — from the cost of passport renewal in the UK to how you can apply and how long it will take. We hope this guide was helpful and that you now have all the information to get started.
Remember not to leave everything to the last minute — start planning your renewal process as soon as possible to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience. And most importantly, enjoy your trip!
The average waiting time is three weeks if you’ve submitted an online passport application and six weeks if you’ve applied by post.
Do I have to send my old passport when renewing in the UK?Yes, you will need to send your old passport when applying for a new one. You’ll also need to send proof if you’ve made any changes to your name since your last passport was issued (such as a marriage certificate)
What documents do you need for a passport renewal in the UK?To renew your passport, you will need to provide your current passport, two recent photos that follow the passport photo guidelines, and fill in the renewal form. Lastly, you’ll need to pay the fee. If you’re renewing your passport from abroad, you will also need to submit proof of your travel plans.
How much does a passport cost?The cost of renewing your passport depends on how you apply and how quickly you need it. The standard adult renewal fee is £75.50, but this increases to £85 if you apply by post. If you need your passport urgently, it costs £142 to get it in a week and £177 to get it in two days.
by Angela Kulevska