People have been told they can save money when buying their new passport by doing one thing. Holidaymakers and business travellers have been told it will also usually mean they get their document in three weeks.

According to His Majesty's Passport Office, if you apply for your UK passport online, it is not only cheaper but typically quicker as well. His Majesty's Passport Office says applying online costs £12.50 less than completing a paper form and sending it by post, with most people using the standard online service receiving their passport within three weeks.

In a message posted on X, the Passport Office said: "It's cheaper and easier to apply for your passport online! You’ll usually get your passport within 3 weeks using our standard service. Our processing time starts from when we receive your documents.”

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An adult passport costs £94.50 online versus £107 by post, a saving of £12.50. The online service can be used to apply for, renew, replace or update a passport, with payments made by debit or credit card. Applications can be made here.

Crucially for those still holding older documents, passports that are burgundy or bear the words ' European Union ' on the cover remain valid until their expiry date. Applicants are warned not to book travel until they have a valid passport in hand, as any new passport issued will carry a different number from the old one.

For those in a rush, faster – and pricier – options are available, including the Online Premium service and the one-week Fast Track, though the Passport Office advises checking processing times before applying. For those who are not as tech-savvy, assistance is available at the Post Office through the digital Check and Send service.

Here, staff can help with taking a digital photo and filling out the application, although this service does come with an additional charge. Paper applications can still be obtained from Post Offices, but these take more time to process and require applicants to supply their own photos. A distinct paper Check and Send service is also provided for an extra fee.

Standard Passport Fees (UK applications)

Method Adult (16+) Child (under 16)

Online (standard service): adult - £94.50; child - £61.50

Postal (paper form): adult- £107.00; child- £74.00

Premium (same-day service): - adult - £222.00*; child - £189.00

Fast Track (1-week): adult - £178.00*; child - £145.00

*Not available for first-time adult applications

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