In a timely segment on BBC Morning Live, personal finance expert Laura Pomfret shared a crucial cost-saving tip for Britons facing passport renewals, a process that has just become more expensive. Appearing on the show hosted by Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones, Pomfret highlighted a method to avoid unnecessary extra payments that many people might not be aware of.
Passport Fee Increases Take Effect
Her advice comes as the cost of renewing a British passport officially rose at the beginning of the month. From April 8, the standard online adult application fee increased from £94.50 to £102, marking the first time it has surpassed the £100 threshold. Child passport fees also saw a jump, rising to £66.50 from £61.50, reflecting an approximate 8% hike aimed at reducing the burden on taxpayers.
Laura Pomfret addressed viewers directly, stating: "It is becoming a bigger and bigger expense to get a passport for you, loved ones, for your family, and fees have just gone up. It is now over £100 to get a passport, but there are ways of avoiding paying more than you need."
The Key Money-Saving Hack
Pomfret's primary tip focuses on the photo requirement for passport renewals. She explained that individuals who renew online can take their own photographs, rather than visiting a photo booth and paying additional fees for printing. "If you've not renewed your passport for a while, you may not know that you can take your photos yourself," she said.
She elaborated: "You don't have to pay to go into a shop, you don't have to go to one of the passport booths." The official Gov.uk website provides clear guidance for uploading your own photo, including requirements for good lighting and a plain background. "You upload it directly," Pomfret noted, adding that the system will notify you if the photo is unsuitable, allowing for a retake.
"It tells you if it's not any good and you have to do it again. So, all in all, I think it's worth having a look, if you need to get a new passport, at these different ways of saving money, because it's worth it in the long run, especially more than one," she concluded.
Avoiding Intermediary Websites
Offering further essential guidance, Pomfret urged viewers to only renew passports online via the official Gov.uk HM Passport Office website. She issued a warning about intermediary sites: "There are these intermediary websites that might look official to help you fill out the application, but it's not HM Passport Office. It's an intermediary and you could pay up to £100, just for essentially help doing the passport, so make sure when you do it online you're going directly to the Passport Office."
Online Renewal vs. Postal Options
She also recommended opting for online renewal over postal methods, as it is generally cheaper and faster. "I advise you to do it yourself online. It takes about 10 minutes," Pomfret said. However, for those who are uncertain, she mentioned the Post Office check and send service as an alternative, though it costs an extra £16. "But actually to get it done properly, it may be worth you deciding to use that service," she acknowledged.
Travel Readiness Reminder
It is vital to renew your passport before travelling if it has expired or if there is insufficient time left on it. The required validity depends on the destination country's entry requirements, so travellers should always check these specifics in advance.
