Passport warning as prices to increase from today if you want to get a new one

02 February 2023 , 17:12

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Passport prices are to rise in cost (Image: Getty Images)

A warning has been issued for British people who need a new passport as prices will increase from today.

Application costs for the document have increased for those who require a new one.

It is the first time prices have risen in five years.

And a range of different costs are now listed with new prices.

Standard applications when applying online have risen £7 from £75.50 to £82.50.

8 money changes coming in February including Universal Credit and passport fees

New documents for children, meanwhile have also increased from £49 to £53.50.

For those with families, the price increases will be more costly.

A family of four could face paying an extra £23 if all passports need to be updated and could result in charges of £272 instead of the previous amount of £249.

Application costs for passports have increased for those who require a new one (Bloomberg via Getty Images)

If you prefer to apply in person, this can be done at the Post Office, but it is more expensive than doing so online as prices also rose.

They have gone up from £85 to £93 and for children £58.50 to £64 is the new cost.

MoneySavingExpert Martin Lewis discovered a million people still applied in person, even though costs £10 more.

Applications for overseas using paper rose from £95.50 to £104.50 for adults and £65.50 to £71.50 for children.

The Home Office says the increases will assist a 'move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it' (Getty Images)

Fee increases, the Home Office says will assist a "move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it"

Those with six months left on their passport are advised to apply as soon as possible.

Cody Candee founder of Bounce said: "Not only are processing times currently around ten weeks, but as travel is back on the cards for many following the pandemic, the Home Office is predicting another massive year for renewals."

Brits warned as passport prices hike up and waiting times remain long

There was a surge in demand for passport applications after the Covid pandemic (Getty Images)

If you have a holiday planned for February half term it is unlikely a new passport will be returned in time if one is needed.

And if the passport application was applied for today it may not be returned until the first week of April.

Matthew Rycroft, the Permanent Secretary at the Home Office spoke to MPs last month and said they would "need to be ready for next year to be even busier” for passport renewals.

Travellers with six months left on their passport are advised to apply as soon as possible (Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

He added: “Now would be a very good time for anybody listening [to renew their passports saying "an extra million” applications would occur in the first half of the year.

But warnings have been made about fake websites which look like government websites for those who are renewing online.

Cody warned: "These websites attempt to charge users £20 - £100 on top of the official passport fee, by offering additional ‘validation’ services."

Graeme Murray