Martin Lewis warning - don't get your passport by post
In his Money Saving Expert newsletter this week, it says: "Don't renew your passport by post - 360,000 paid more than they needed to last year."
It links to a post on the website, which gives more detail: "If your passport is due for renewal, apply online if you can – it'll save you £12.50.
"More than 7 million Brits did just that last year – but over 360,000 missed out on savings by using a paper form instead, MoneySavingExpert.com can reveal."
Most applications are made online – but 100,000s still apply by post. Of the 7,020,102 submitted directly to Passport Office last year, 221,663 were paper forms sent by post, while the Post Office 'Check & Send' service saw 143,268 out of 431,385 applications sent the more expensive way.
How much does it cost to renew a UK passport?
Passport application costs vary for the standard (up to three weeks), fast-track (one-week), and premium (same day) services. They rose by up to £14.50 earlier this month. Here are the current fees:
(Image: Gov.uk)
How about a fast track passport application?
There are two ways to apply for an urgent passport, and different fees for each.
One day premium passport service
The earliest you can get an appointment is two days after you apply.
There are Passport Customer Service Centres in:
Belfast
Durham
Glasgow
Liverpool
London
Newport
Peterborough
You'll need to hand in your old passport at your appointment. Your new passport will be ready to collect from the passport office four hours after your appointment.
You can only use this service to renew an adult passport. It costs £222 (or £235 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport).
One week fast track passport service
The earliest you can get an appointment is the next day after you apply.
Your new passport will be delivered to you by courier one week after your appointment.
You can use this service to:
renew a passport
change personal details on your passport (for example your name, place of birth or gender)
replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport
get a child passport
It costs:
£178 for an adult passport (or £191 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport)
£145 for a child passport (or £158 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport)
Recommended reading:
Who gets a free UK passport?
If you were born on or before 2 September 1929, you can get or renew a British passport for free if you're a British national and you were born on or before 2 September 1929.
You can also use the Post Office Check and Send service for free and get free secure delivery.
You must pay a fee if you need to get a passport urgently or if you want a frequent traveller passport.
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