Passport costs

olias

My mum and dad are pensioners and on a limited income. Despite that, they scrimp and save and manage to have one holiday a year, usually a cheap late deal. This is their one 'treat' in the year and do without other things to afford it.

I spoke to mum today on the phone and asked where they were going on holiday this year. She told me they wouldn't be, as their passports had run out and it would cost nearly £170(!) to renew them and they couldn't afford to pay for that and the cost of a holiday as well. I didn't believe her, and have just checked. It's £77.50 each plus the cost of two lots of photos and delivery.

I last renewed mine about 7 or 8 years ago, and don't remember it being anything like that much. When did it get so expensive? Why is it just as expensive to renew as to get one for the first time? Surely less checks are needed for a renewal than an initial passport therefore it should be cheaper? A driving license is free to renew, unless it's following a conviction or similar. Even updating one is only £20.

Does anyone else think this cost extortionate, especially for pensioners?

Olias

dmg24

No, I don't. It is less than £8 per year, less than most resort transfers ... or airport snacks?

dzug1

How old are they? If born before 2 September 1929 passports are free.

Sooler

they could buy passports this year and go on holiday again next year

olias

dmg24 wrote: »

No, I don't. It is less than £8 per year, less than most resort transfers ... or airport snacks?

You could say the same about any expensive item or service, that does not make it any less expensive, or justify the high cost. And how many people do you know who would save £8 a year for ten years ready for when their passport runs out? The point is, that compared to other things like a driving license, it is expensive, particularly when you are only talking about renewing it, not applying for it!

dzug1 wrote: »

How old are they? If born before 2 September 1929 passports are free.

They are both in their 70's, so considered too 'young':D

Sooler wrote: »

they could buy passports this year and go on holiday again next year

Yes, and that is what they will have to do, but they don't have too much time left, and it doesn't get over the fact that it is ridiculously expensive to just renew an existing document.

Olias

pimento

Thank your lucky stars they aren't New Zealanders. The cost of a NZ passport is £76.00 but it only lasts five years!

Two of my lot have NZ passports, so it's a lot of $$$

I believe the Canadians are the same.

dealer_wins

Me thinks their next birthday pressie from their son could be a passport :T:beer:

dzug1

And most other countries don't allow an overlap between passports either.

Apart from the interview there's not a lot of difference in the amount of work needed for a renewal. Maybe the interview is being subsidised at the moment and if it's judged a success the fee for a first passport will go up?

fluffnutter

A passport is not a right. It's not even a necessity. It does seem a lot of money, but they could always holiday in the UK

SandC

It does seem to have gone up a lot in recent years, but even though it's 'just a renewal' you should see the new passports and how complex they are on the photo page(s) to reduce the liklihood of being able to fake them.

I had a new one the other month and for what it's worth I decided I would not use special delivery or a checking service or anything like that as the new photos were even £5! I sent it off and got the new one back in a week.

So, yes it's pricey but it's only once every 10 years and I'd rather have the option of buying a passport for my choice to save up and travel, than them bringing in compulsory ID cards that also cover travel but which everyone will have to pay way over the odds for.

Equaliser123

olias wrote: »

My mum and dad are pensioners and on a limited income. Despite that, they scrimp and save and manage to have one holiday a year, usually a cheap late deal. This is their one 'treat' in the year and do without other things to afford it.

I spoke to mum today on the phone and asked where they were going on holiday this year. She told me they wouldn't be, as their passports had run out and it would cost nearly £170(!) to renew them and they couldn't afford to pay for that and the cost of a holiday as well. I didn't believe her, and have just checked. It's £77.50 each plus the cost of two lots of photos and delivery.

I last renewed mine about 7 or 8 years ago, and don't remember it being anything like that much. When did it get so expensive? Why is it just as expensive to renew as to get one for the first time? Surely less checks are needed for a renewal than an initial passport therefore it should be cheaper? A driving license is free to renew, unless it's following a conviction or similar. Even updating one is only £20.

Does anyone else think this cost extortionate, especially for pensioners?

Olias

Excellent value when you consider the protections which being a British passport holder offers.

Have you seen the technology that is in them?