If you need to renew your existing passport, or apply for a new one, fees will usually apply – but some people can get a new passport for free
If you’re planning to jet off abroad from the UK, you’ll need a passport. According to Government guidance, British citizens, British overseas territories citizens, British overseas citizens, British subjects, British nationals (overseas), or British protected persons can all apply for a British passport.
The HM Passport Office is in charge of issuing these essential travel documents, with the current average wait time being three weeks or less. Whether you’re renewing your existing passport or applying for a new one, fees will typically apply.
At present, a standard adult passport – for those aged 16 and over – costs £94.50 to apply for a standard online adult passport in the UK, and £107 to apply for using a paper form.
If you’re a frequent flyer, you might want to consider getting a 54-page passport instead of the standard 34-page one, which will set you back £107.50 online, or £120 via the paper form, reports Bristol Live.
For children, a standard passport costs £61.50 or £74, while a frequent traveller child’s passport is priced at £74.50 or £87, depending on whether you apply online or use the paper form.
Meanwhile, if you were born on or before a certain date, you can get your hands on a passport for free.
To qualify for a free new British passport or renewal, you must have been born on or before 2 September 1929.
You can also take advantage of the Post Office Check and Send service for free and enjoy free secure delivery
However, the government has made it clear that you’ll need to fork out a fee if you need to get a passport urgently or if you’re after a frequent traveller passport.
This follows as British passport holders have been receiving urgent alerts from HM Passport Office.
In a text, they urge people to follow a link. They write: “Remember to check that your passport is valid for the country you are travelling to.”
They add that you need to “check the entry requirements” listing their website. Following the link takes you to the Foreign travel advice page. Listing a series of destinations, the page is there to help people get “advice and warnings about travel abroad, including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences.”
Two popular destinations are Spain and France. In their travel advice, they note that both popular countries follow Schengen area rules.
This means that your passport must:
- Have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before October 1, 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago
- Have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area (the expiry date does not need to be within 10 years of the date of issue)
However, places like Canada have different requirements. The Foreign Office warns: “To enter Canada, your passport must be valid for the length of your planned stay.
“If you’re travelling through another country on your way to or from Canada, check the entry requirements for that country. Many countries will only allow entry if you have at least 6 months’ validity remaining on your passport.”