- Adult renewal costs £102 online or £115.50 on paper. The previous fees, before 8 April 2026, were £94.50 and £107.
- 99.7% of standard UK applications in 2025 were processed within 3 weeks, according to the Home Office.
- You can track an application with your application reference number.
- The Passport Advice Line is 0300 222 0000.
What it costs
| How you apply | Adult fee now | Before 8 April 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Online, from the UK | £102 | £94.50 |
| Paper form, from the UK | £115.50 | £107 |
| Online, from overseas | £116.50 | £108 |
| Paper form, from overseas | £130 | £120.50 |
The fees come from GOV.UK and from the Home Office announcement of 18 March 2026. The Home Office says it makes no profit on passport applications, and that the rise moves the service towards covering its own costs. Child fees are £66.50 online and £80 on paper. Fees change, so check the page before you pay.
Who can use this service
The adult service is for people aged 16 or over, or turning 16 within three weeks. If the passport is for a child, or it is your first passport, a different GOV.UK application applies.
What the official route looks like
- Start from GOV.UK, apply online and pay the fee to HM Passport Office.
- Keep the application reference number the service gives you. It is what you use to track progress.
- Wait for delivery by courier or Royal Mail. The courier may post it through your letterbox, hand it over if you are home, or leave a card or a letter telling you how to collect it.
- Do not book travel until the new passport is in your hands. It will not have the same number as the old one.
What a copycat promises, and what the official service does
| A copycat site says | The official position |
|---|---|
| “We check your application so it is not rejected” | You make the application yourself, and the fee is paid to HM Passport Office. A site’s check is its own add-on. |
| “Priority or express handling” | The government’s faster routes are Fast Track and 1 Day Premium, booked on GOV.UK with an appointment. See urgent passport options. |
| “Track with us” | Tracking uses your own application reference number on GOV.UK. |
| A total near or above £130 for a standard adult renewal | The official standard fee is £102 online. Even the paper form is £115.50. |
Two-minute checks before paying
- Type gov.uk yourself and search from there. Ignore anything that reached you through an advert, text or email.
- Compare the total at the payment page with £102 (online) or £115.50 (paper). Anything higher includes a charge that is not the government’s.
- Check that the site does not ask for your passport scans in a chat window before showing a price.
- If you are unsure, call the Passport Advice Line on 0300 222 0000. It is open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5:30pm at weekends and on public holidays.
Myths about renewal
Myth: a different passport number means someone has tampered with my renewal.
Fact: GOV.UK states a new passport will not have the same number as the old one.
Myth: paying more gets you a safer application.
Fact: the official fee is the same for everyone, and extra payments buy a third party’s service, not a faster official decision.
Where copycat sites come in
Search results for “renew passport” often show paid adverts for sites that look official. Some charge a service fee for submitting the same form, and the official fee is still due on top. Others collect passport scans and card details and do nothing useful with them. The guide to copycat passport websites lists the signs. If you are short of time, the faster routes cost more than the standard fee; see urgent passport services. If your passport is missing rather than expiring, start with reporting it lost or stolen. If you have already paid a copy, go to what to do after paying a passport scam site.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to renew a UK passport?
£102 online or £115.50 on a paper form for an adult, according to GOV.UK, checked 5 October 2026. These rose on 8 April 2026 from £94.50 and £107.
Who can renew an adult passport?
Anyone aged 16 or over, or turning 16 within three weeks, using the GOV.UK adult renewal service. First passports and child passports use different applications.
Why does my new passport have a different number?
GOV.UK states a new passport does not have the same number as the old one. It also warns not to book travel until you have the new passport.
How long does a passport renewal take?
The Home Office reported that 99.7% of standard applications from the UK in 2025 were processed within 3 weeks. GOV.UK links to a page showing current timings, which you should check before booking travel.
How do I track my passport application?
Use the application reference number you were given when you applied, on the GOV.UK tracking service. A third-party site that offers its own tracking is not showing you the government's record.
How is a renewed passport delivered?
By courier or Royal Mail. GOV.UK says it will be posted through your letterbox, handed over if you are home, or you will be left a card or letter explaining how to get it.