Brits warned over major passport change next week – does it affect you?

BRITS are being warned over a major passport change taking place next week.

Travellers are being reminded they have just one more week before passport renewal fees rise by around nine per cent.

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The cost to renew an expired passport will climb on Thursday, February 2.

Holidaymakers who use an online form to update their passport will now need to pay £82.50.

The current price is £75.50.

Getting new passports for children will also increase from £49 to £53.50.

To get a new passport by applying via a form through the Post Office, princes will go from £85 now to £93 and £58.50 to £64 for children.

To get a new passport through the standard paper form which can be collected at the Post Office, the price will increase by nearly £10 going from next week.

For children, it will rise to £64 from £58.50.

Overseas standard paper applications will increase from £95.50 to £104.50 for adults and £65.50 to £71.50 for children

The Home Office says the new fees will help “move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it”.

Since January last year, over 95 percent of standard applications have been processed within 10 weeks.

If you don’t have long on your passport and were due to renew it in the next few months, you may want to do it sooner rather than later.

Founder of Bounce Cody Candee said: “If you have less than six months validity, we recommend applying for a new passport immediately.

“Not only are processing times currently around ten weeks, but as travel is back on the cards for many following the pandemic, the Home Office is predicting another massive year for renewals.”

While it may seem obvious to go to the government website when renewing, there are some fake websites that can catch you out.

Cody warned: “These websites attempt to charge users £20 – £100 on top of the official passport fee, by offering additional ‘validation’ services.

When applying for a new passport, be cautious of these types of websites, and be sure only to use trusted sources.

“For example, the Post Office’s Check & Send Service offers in-depth passport application guidance, from specially trained Postmasters.”