UK Passport Renewal 2026: Cost, Processing Time and How to Apply

How Much Does It Cost to Renew a UK Passport in 2026?

Standard online renewal costs £102 for an adult passport and £66.50 for a child passport (under 16), following an 8% fee rise that took effect on 8 April 2026 (up from £94.50 and £61.50). Applying by paper form costs more for the same processing route: £115.50 for adults and £80 for children.

Applying from outside the UK costs more again: £116.50 online or £130 by post for adults, and £75.50 online or £89 by post for children. HM Passport Office states these fees are not profit-making and are intended to make passport services self-funding, covering application processing, consular support for British citizens overseas, and UK border processing. Passport validity rules for EU travel are covered separately in British Passport Holders in the EU 2026.

How Long Does UK Passport Renewal Take?

HM Passport Office processed 99.7% of standard applications from the UK within 3 weeks in 2025, the most recent full-year figure it has published. Processing time is counted from when your documents are received, not from the date you submit the online form.

Because timelines can vary with demand, HM Passport Office recommends checking its current published service times before applying, and its own guidance is explicit: do not book travel until you have a valid passport in hand, since your new passport will not carry the same number as your old one.

How to Renew a UK Passport Online

You apply through the standard online service at gov.uk. You will need your current or most recent passport (if you have one), a digital photo that meets HM Passport Office's technical requirements, and a debit or credit card to pay the fee.

Once submitted, you can track your application using the reference number from your confirmation. Your new passport is sent by courier or Royal Mail: it will either come through your letterbox, be handed to you if you are home, or trigger a card or letter explaining how to collect it (the notice will not say the package is your passport). If you are also travelling on a UK visa, the entry sticker in your old passport is a separate document from the passport itself -- see UK Visa Vignette Explained for what happens to it when you renew.

1 Week Fast Track vs 1 Day Premium: Which Urgent Service?

Both urgent services require an in-person appointment at one of the 7 UK passport offices, and neither is available if you are applying from outside the UK (use an emergency travel document instead). If you are renewing ahead of a visa application rather than just a holiday, see the UK Visa hub for country-specific guides.

1 week Fast Track costs £192 for an adult passport (£206 for the 54-page frequent traveller version) or £156.50 for a child passport (£170.50 for 54-page). The earliest appointment is available the next day after you apply, and your new passport is delivered by courier about a week after the appointment. It can be used for renewals, detail changes, lost/stolen/damaged replacements, and child passports -- but not for a first-time adult passport.

1 day Premium costs £239.50 (£253.50 for 54-page). The earliest appointment is 2 days after you apply, and your new passport is ready to collect around 4 hours after the appointment. This service is for adult passport renewals only -- it cannot be used for first-time adult passports or child passports of any kind.

Cancelling or Missing an Urgent Passport Appointment

Changing your urgent appointment is free if it is more than 48 hours away. Inside that window, you will need to cancel and rebook instead, and you will be charged a £34.50 admin fee.

If you miss your appointment altogether, there is no refund -- you will need to book and pay again in full. HM Passport Office is also explicit on one point: if you have already applied for a passport and have not yet received it, do not pay for an urgent passport on top -- it will not arrive any sooner, and you will still be charged the £34.50 admin fee for the additional application. If your passport number is linked to an EU Settlement Scheme or eVisa record, updating it afterwards is covered in EU Settlement Scheme App 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to renew a UK passport online?

Renewing online costs £102 for an adult and £66.50 for a child (under 16), effective from 8 April 2026. Applying by post costs more: £115.50 for adults and £80 for children. Source: HM Passport Office, gov.uk.

How long does UK passport renewal take in 2026?

HM Passport Office processed 99.7% of standard applications within 3 weeks in 2025. Processing time starts once your documents are received, so apply in good time and do not book travel until you have a valid passport.

How much is a 1 week Fast Track passport?

The 1 week Fast Track service costs £192 for an adult passport and £156.50 for a child passport (more for the 54-page frequent traveller version). It requires an in-person appointment at one of the 7 UK passport offices, with the new passport delivered by courier about a week later.

Can I get a UK passport the same day?

Yes, via the 1 day Premium service, which costs £239.50. This is only available for adult passport renewals, not first-time adult passports or child passports. You attend an appointment and collect your new passport around 4 hours later.

What happens if I need to cancel my urgent passport appointment?

Changing your appointment is free if it is more than 48 hours away. Cancelling within 48 hours, or missing the appointment, incurs a £34.50 admin fee, and a missed appointment gets no refund at all -- you would need to book and pay again.