Passport Photo Cost & Fees — What You Actually Pay
The passport fee and the photo are two separate costs: the fee is set by the passport office, while the photo is charged by whoever takes it. This page covers the official UK passport fee table, what a photo adds on top, and the refund rule that surprises people. Verified against GOV.UK, September 2026.
What the passport fee does — and does not — include
The application fee is for the passport itself. A photo taken by a shop, pharmacy or studio is billed by that provider, and a photo taken at home costs you nothing but your time. If you are weighing that up, the channel comparison breaks down where a photo is taken and the app-vs-professional guide covers doing it yourself.
UK passport fees (official table)
| Adult, 34 pages, online | £102 |
| Adult, 34 pages, paper | £115.50 |
| Adult, 54 pages (frequent traveller), online | £116 |
| Adult, 54 pages, paper | £129.50 |
| Child, 34 pages, online | £66.50 |
| Child, 34 pages, paper | £80 |
| Child, 54 pages, online | £80.50 |
| Child, 54 pages, paper | £94 |
| Born on or before 2 September 1929 | Free |
A priority (faster) service costs extra on top of these figures. Online is always cheaper than paper for the same book.
The refund rule — read before you pay
Official wording: if you cancel the application, or you are not entitled to a passport, the fee is not refunded. That is separate from a photo problem: if the photo itself is refused, that is handled differently — the refund-and-returns route covers photos rather than the passport fee.
How this keeps your total down
- ☐ Apply online — cheaper than paper for the same passport.
- ☐ Use a compliant photo first time — a rejected photo can mean a fresh application and a fresh fee, so check it before you send. See the rejection reasons.
- ☐ Remember the photo is billed separately by the provider — the fee table above never includes it.
- ☐ Check current figures — fees change; confirm on GOV.UK before paying.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a UK passport?
Adult 34-page: £102 online or £115.50 on paper. Adult 54-page: £116 online or £129.50 on paper. Child 34-page: £66.50 online or £80 on paper. Child 54-page: £80.50 online or £94 on paper.
Does the passport fee include the photo?
No. The fee is for the passport; the photo is charged separately by whoever takes it, and a home photo costs nothing extra.
Is the passport free for anyone?
It is free if you were born on or before 2 September 1929.
Can I get a refund if I cancel or do not qualify?
No. If you cancel the application, or you are not entitled to a passport, the fee is not refunded.
What if my photo is rejected — do I lose the fee?
A refused photo is a separate matter from the passport fee; the refund-and-returns rules cover photos specifically, so check those before assuming.
Is priority faster worth it?
Priority is a paid extra on top of the standard fee; it does not change the fee table above.
Related: compare where to get the photo in the channel comparison, do it yourself with the app-vs-professional guide, and print it at home with the printing guide. Check the photo free with the passport photo checker.