HMPO currently advises allowing up to 10 weeks for a standard renewal. If you're travelling within that window, you'll need to pay for Fast Track or Premium. Apply at least 3 months before any planned travel.
Before You Start — What You'll Need
Gather everything below before you begin. Having it all ready makes the application much smoother — especially if you're applying online.
- Your current or most recent passport — even if it's expired
- A new passport photo — you always need a new photo, even if your appearance hasn't changed. See below for how to get one for £2.99
- A debit or credit card — to pay the application fee
- Your National Insurance number — for identity verification (online applications)
- Details of any name change — marriage certificate, deed poll etc. if your name has changed since your last passport
If your passport expires in, say, 8 months, you can renew now and HMPO will add any remaining months to your new 10-year passport. So you're not losing anything by renewing early.
How Much Does UK Passport Renewal Cost in 2026?
| Service | Online | By Post | Timescale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult passport (16+) Most popular | £88.50 | £100.00 | Up to 10 weeks |
| Child passport (under 16) | £57.50 | £69.00 | Up to 10 weeks |
| Fast Track (1 week) | £142.00 | — | Approx. 1 week |
| Premium (same day) | £177.00 | — | Same day appointment |
Online adult renewals cost £88.50 vs £100 by post. You also don't need to send printed photos or your old passport in the post, reducing the risk of documents getting lost.
Online vs Postal Renewal — Which Should You Choose?
- ✅ £11.50 cheaper than post
- ✅ Upload a digital photo — no printing needed
- ✅ No need to post your old passport
- ✅ Track your application online
- ✅ Generally processed faster
- ✅ Available 24/7 on GOV.UK
- ⚠️ £11.50 more expensive
- ⚠️ Need to print and post 2 photos
- ⚠️ Must post your current passport
- ⚠️ Must get a countersignature in some cases
- ✅ Option if you can't apply online
- ✅ Required if changing name with deed poll
Step-by-Step: How to Renew Your UK Passport Online
This is the most common and recommended route. Here's exactly what to do:
The passport photo is where most renewals go wrong. HMPO is strict — wrong size, shadows, glasses or a non-neutral expression will get your application rejected and delay you by weeks.
For online applications you need a digital photo file (JPEG, minimum 50KB, at least 600×750px). For postal applications you need two identical printed photos (35×45mm on photo paper).
- No glasses — banned since 2021
- Plain white or cream background
- Neutral expression, mouth closed
- Eyes fully open, looking directly at camera
- Taken in the last month
Get your passport photo for £2.99 — before you start your application
Upload any clear photo and our tool crops it to HMPO-compliant size (35×45mm), applies a white background and gives you both a digital file for online applications and a print-ready sheet of 6 photos for postal — all for £2.99.
📸 Create My Passport Photo — £2.99 🛡 Money-back guarantee if rejected by HMPOGo to gov.uk/renew-adult-passport (or gov.uk/renew-child-passport for under-16s). Click "Start now" and select "Renew or replace your passport."
You'll need to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login account or create one — this takes about 2 minutes if you haven't done it before.
You'll be asked for your personal details exactly as they should appear on your new passport. Double-check spelling — mistakes here are costly to fix after submission.
- Full name (as you want it on the passport)
- Date of birth
- Town and country of birth
- Current address
- Contact email and phone number
- National Insurance number (for identity checks)
You'll need to enter the details from your existing passport, including:
- Passport number (top right of the photo page)
- Issue date and expiry date
- Place of issue
If you've lost your passport, you can still renew — just select "lost or stolen" during the application. You may need to fill in an LS01 form.
This is where online applications differ from postal. Instead of sending printed photos, you upload a digital image directly through the GOV.UK application form.
Requirements for digital upload:
- JPEG or HEIC format
- File size between 50KB and 10MB
- At least 600px wide and 750px tall
- Same face, expression and background rules as printed photos
EasyPDF Studio's Passport Photo Maker provides a digital file that meets all of these requirements, alongside the printed sheet — all for £2.99.
For most renewals, HMPO can verify your identity digitally by cross-referencing your details with their records. You'll be told during the application whether this applies to you.
If you can't be verified digitally, you may need to:
- Have someone countersign your photo (a professional who has known you for 2+ years)
- Send additional supporting documents
This is much rarer for straightforward renewals where your details match your previous passport.
Pay by debit or credit card. The fee for a standard adult renewal is £88.50 online. You'll receive an email confirmation with your application reference number — save this.
Payment is non-refundable if you withdraw your application, so make sure everything is correct before paying.
For many online renewals, HMPO can process your application without you needing to send your old passport. You'll be told during the application whether you need to.
If you do need to send it, use Royal Mail Special Delivery — not standard post. It's tracked and insured, and your passport is a valuable document. Address it to the freepost address HMPO will provide.
Once submitted, you can track your application at gov.uk/track-passport-application using your reference number. You'll receive email updates at key milestones.
Need It Faster? Fast Track & Premium Services
If you're travelling sooner than 10 weeks away, you have two options:
| Service | Cost | How to book | Timescale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Track | £142 | Book online at gov.uk | Approximately 1 week |
| Premium (same day) | £177 | Appointment at a passport office | Same day — collect in person |
Fast Track is available online and doesn't require visiting a passport office. Premium requires an in-person appointment at one of the UK passport offices in London, Belfast, Durham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Newport or Peterborough.
Even Fast Track and Premium services can face delays. Never book flights or hotels that can't be refunded until you have your new passport physically in your hands.
Passport Photo Requirements for 2026 Renewals
Your photo is the single most common cause of passport renewal delays. Every renewal — no matter how recently you last applied — requires a new photo. Here's the quick summary of what HMPO requires:
- Size: 35mm × 45mm (printed) or minimum 600×750px (digital)
- Background: Plain white or cream, no shadows
- Expression: Neutral, mouth closed (adults)
- Eyes: Open, looking directly at camera
- Glasses: Not allowed — banned since 2021
- Recency: Taken within the last month
For the full detailed requirements, see our UK Passport Photo Requirements 2026 — Complete Checklist.
Get your passport photo before you apply
Upload your photo and get a HMPO-compliant digital file for online applications plus a print-ready sheet of 6 photos for £2.99. Works for adult and child renewals.
£2.99Renewing With a Name Change
If your name has changed since your last passport (due to marriage, civil partnership, divorce or deed poll), you'll need to provide supporting documents:
- Marriage or civil partnership: Your marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate
- Divorce or dissolution: Decree Absolute or Final Order
- Deed poll: Enrolled deed poll or unenrolled deed poll — online applications may require a postal application if using an unenrolled deed poll
Don't start a passport renewal just before your wedding expecting to have it changed to your married name in time. Apply after you have your marriage certificate in hand, or travel on your current passport with your maiden name.
Common Mistakes That Delay Passport Renewals
- Submitting a non-compliant photo — by far the most common. Shadows, glasses and wrong sizing cause the most rejections
- Applying too late — standard renewals take up to 10 weeks. Always apply at least 3 months before travel
- Sending passport by standard post — always use Royal Mail Special Delivery
- Name discrepancies — your name must match exactly what you want on the new passport
- Not tracking the application — if HMPO needs more information, they'll contact you. Miss the communication and your application stalls
- Booking non-refundable travel — never book before your passport is in your hands
Renewing a Child's Passport
Child passports last 5 years (not 10 like adult passports) and cost £57.50 online or £69 by post. The process is broadly the same as for adults, with a few differences:
- A parent or guardian must apply on the child's behalf
- Both parents' details may be required
- The child's photo rules are slightly more relaxed — slight smiles are allowed for under-6s and babies can be photographed lying flat
- Children under 16 cannot apply for their own passport — a parent or guardian must do it
For tips on photographing children and babies for their passport photos, see our guide: How to Take a Baby Passport Photo at Home UK.
Summary — Passport Renewal Checklist
- ✅ Get your new passport photo ready first — EasyPDF Studio for £2.99
- ✅ Apply online at gov.uk — it's cheaper and faster
- ✅ Allow up to 10 weeks for standard renewal
- ✅ Use Fast Track (£142) if travelling within 3 weeks
- ✅ Use Royal Mail Special Delivery if posting your old passport
- ✅ Track your application at gov.uk/track-passport-application
- ✅ Don't book non-refundable travel until passport arrives