UK passport warnings issued
UK authorities are warning travelers to avoid sending unnecessary documents with passport applications and even to keep passports away from pets, because both practices can create avoidable delays (glasgowlive.co.uk). Parliament also approved fee changes on April 8, setting the standard online adult passport at £102 and a child passport at £66.50 — a practical cost change for anyone renewing this spring (commonslibrary.parliament.uk) (bromsgroveadvertiser.co.uk).
His Majesty’s Passport Office is telling applicants not to send extra paperwork and not to let pets damage passports, after both mistakes caused avoidable delays. (gov.uk) (glasgowlive.co.uk) (bromsgroveadvertiser.co.uk) The warning lands just after passport fees rose on April 8, 2026. A standard online UK application now costs £102 for adults and £66.50 for children under 16, up from £94.50 and £61.50. (gov.uk 1) (gov.uk 2) Paper applications also became more expensive on April 8. They now cost £115.50 for adults and £80 for children, while the one-day premium service rose to £239.50. (gov.uk 1) (gov.uk 2) The Home Office said the higher charges are meant to move the passport system closer to covering its own costs through user fees rather than general taxation. Parliament had to approve the change before it took effect. (gov.uk) (commonslibrary.parliament.uk) That makes avoidable application problems more costly in practice. House of Commons Library research says passport fees are charged for processing an application, not only for issuing a passport, and fees are generally not refunded if an application is unsuccessful or withdrawn. (commonslibrary.parliament.uk) HM Passport Office guidance for staff shows how missing, lost or damaged documents can hold up an application. The guidance says customers may need to replace documents that are lost or damaged in transit or during the process. (gov.uk) Separate Home Office guidance says HM Passport Office handles customer documents under specific rules and returns supporting documents after processing. That is why sending only the documents requested can reduce the risk of extra handling and delay. (gov.uk) (glasgowlive.co.uk) Applicants who need help can contact HM Passport Office by web chat, online form or phone, and the online help page says replies to the enquiry form arrive within 72 hours. The office is part of the Home Office and is the sole issuer of United Kingdom passports. (gov.uk 1) (gov.uk 2) For anyone renewing this spring, the practical message is narrow: send the right documents, keep the passport intact, and check the new fee before you apply. (gov.uk) (bromsgroveadvertiser.co.uk)
