There are lots of ways to cut the cost when applying (Image: Getty)
Millions of people could save cash when applying for their next UK passport by following a few simple steps to trim down an already expensive process. Overall, making three decisions could save the process up to £25.
As of April 1, 2026, the price of applying for a UK passport can start from £61.50 for children and £94.50 for adults. However, the cost will rise within a matter of days, starting on April 8, 2026.
From next week, it will cost adults over £100 for a basic document, and children will be over £65. There is a guide on Martin Lewis’ MSE website with three steps to make sure the cost of your new passport is as low as possible.
At the time of writing, it is £12.50 cheaper to apply for a passport online through GOV.UK instead of using a £107 paper form. Once the price rises come into force from April 8, the online application (£102) will be £13.50 cheaper than the new £115.50 paper price.
People who are close to the expiry date of their passport might want to consider starting their passport renewal before the price hike. Adult documents last for 10 years, so the expense shouldn’t be something to worry about again until 2036.
The second MSE money-saving tip was to go for the digital option if possible. Although both options typically take about 3 weeks to complete, the savings you make are immediate. Although £12 to £13 may not seem like a major saving, for a family renewing at the same time, this can quickly add up.
If you have less than 10 months left on your current passport, it could be worth renewing. But be warned, if you renew your passport before it expires, the time left on it is no longer added to the expiry date of your new passport.
People who struggle to use digital services may want to consider the Post Office’s ‘Check & Send’ service. This offers a way for people to pay the digital price and have help with the technical side of applying.
The Post Office has a service which costs £16 plus passport fees to help customers complete the digital application in a branch, take a photo that is compliant with HM Passport Office guidelines and check their supporting documents to ensure they meet all the necessary requirements.
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A staff member will then submit the application electronically on your behalf. This service is available for both adult and child passports. As of April 1, 2026, the Post Office ‘Check and Send’ Digital service costs £110.50 for adults and £77.50 for children.
The third way to cut the cost of applying for a passport, if going through the online method yourself, is to take the ID photo yourself. Meeting the correct requirements doesn’t need a professional set-up, and in most cases, this step becomes free.
The MSE website claimed: « If it’s been a while since you last applied for a passport, you may be surprised to learn that you can now take your passport photo yourself at home and upload it directly into your online application. This means you don’t need to shell out for photos taken at high-street shops or photo booths, which can typically cost between £5 and £13. »
How to ensure your photo is accepted first time
- You can use your smartphone – just make sure the photo is clear, in focus and in colour: There’s no need to use a fancy camera (unless you have one around, of course!).
- Take it against a plain, light background: The photo should include your head, shoulders and upper body, with no other people or objects in the frame.
- Avoid editing or altering it: It will be cropped during the application process, so there’s no need to do it yourself.
For full details and the official guidelines, including how to take children’s passport photos, see the GOV.UK website.
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