The team at Money Saving Expert warns millions may be paying more than necessary for passport applications
Brits have been urged to follow some simple steps to ensure they get the best price for an essential travel document(Image: Getty)
Brits have been advised to follow some straightforward steps to secure the best price for an essential travel document. According to experts, “millions” of individuals may have overpaid for their passports.
A passport is necessary for international travel. In the UK they remain valid for 10 years for an adult, or five years for those aged under 16.
When your passport approaches expiry, it’s vital you submit an application for a new one well in advance, to prevent the risk of having to abandon a holiday. Though you may not be aware that the method by which you apply for a new passport can influence the cost.
With this in mind, the team at Money Saving Expert (MSE) stated on its website : “Millions of Brits applying for a passport last year may have been able to save money by taking their own photo or applying online, MoneySavingExpert.com can reveal. If your passport’s due for renewal, here’s how to get it for less.”
The three key steps to bear in mind are:
- Apply online rather than via post
- Take your own photo
- Renew before fees rise on April 8
Applying online
MSE stated: “Currently, it’s £12.50 cheaper to apply for a passport online through GOV.UK instead of using a paper form. Of course, this isn’t an option for those excluded from, or who struggle to use, digital services – though if this is the case, you may want to consider the Post Office’s ‘Check & Send’ service.”
Check & Send is an optional add-on that costs £16 on top of the standard passport fee.
Take your own photo
MSE explained: “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 £13ish.”
Here are some tips to help you capture your photo correctly first time:
- You can use your smartphone – just ensure the photo is clear, in focus and in colour
- 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 for you during the application process, so there’s no need to do that yourself
Renew before fees increase
Passport fees will increase on Wednesday, 8 April. This is how much they will rise by:
- Adult: takes up to three weeks to arrive – online cost now – £94.50, online cost from April 8 – £102, postal cost now – £107, postal cost from April 8 – £115.50
- Adult fast-track – arrives one week after appointment – online cost now – £178, online cost after April 8 – £178
- Adult ‘Premium’ – given at the appointment – online cost now – £222, online cost after April 8 – £239.50
- Child – takes up to three weeks to arrive – online cost now – £61.50, online cost after April 8 – £66.50, postal cost now – £74, postal cost after April 8 – £80
- Child fast-track – arrives one week after appointment – online cost now – £145, online cost after April 8 – £145
For complete information and to renew online visit GOV.UK here.