Online vs Postal UK Passport Application: Cost Difference and Which to Choose

Q: Is it cheaper to apply for a passport online or by post?

Online is cheaper by £13.50 for adults (£102 online vs £115.50 by post) and by £13.50 for children (£66.50 online vs £80 by post). Processing times are identical. There is no reason to apply by post unless you genuinely cannot use the online service.

Q: When does applying by post make sense?

Very rarely. The main cases are: you have an accessibility need that prevents online application, you are changing information that cannot be processed online (extremely rare), or you are applying on behalf of someone without internet access. In almost all cases, online is the better option.

Online is £13.50 cheaper, you keep your old passport, and tracking is better. Here is the full comparison for 2026.

The direct answer

Apply online. It costs £13.50 less, you keep your old passport while waiting, and processing time is identical. The only reason to use post is a genuine accessibility need or inability to use the online service.

Full Comparison: Online vs Postal 2026

	Online	Postal
Adult fee	£102	£115.50
Child fee (under 16)	£66.50	£80
Processing time	Up to 10 weeks	Up to 10 weeks
Keep old passport?	Yes - can still travel	No - must send it away
Application tracking	Full online tracker	Limited tracking
Photo format	Digital (free via gov.uk)	Physical prints required
Best for	Almost everyone	Cannot use online service

The Key Differentiator: Keeping Your Old Passport

Critical difference - often overlooked

Online applicants keep their current passport throughout the application process. If your passport is still valid and you have a trip planned during the processing period, you can still travel on your old passport. Postal applicants must send their passport away and have no travel document for up to 10 weeks. If you have any chance of needing to travel during processing, online is the only sensible choice.

When Postal Makes Sense

Almost never for most applicants. The specific cases where postal may be necessary:

Accessibility needs: If you cannot use the online service due to a disability or accessibility requirement, postal is the alternative.
Applying for someone else: In rare cases where you are applying on behalf of someone without internet access, postal may be the only route.
Specific information changes: Some highly specific changes to passport data may only be processable via paper form. HMPO will advise if this applies.

The Verdict

Apply online because:

Save £13.50 per adult passport
Keep your old passport while you wait
Better application tracking
Digital photo - can use free gov.uk checker

Apply by post only if:

You genuinely cannot use the online service
You have a specific accessibility requirement
HMPO specifically advises you to use post

Apply online at GOV.UK

Online vs Postal FAQs

Is it cheaper to apply for a passport online or by post?

Online is cheaper by £13.50 for adults (£102 vs £115.50) and by £13.50 for children (£66.50 vs £80). Processing times are identical. There is no scenario where postal is the better financial choice.

Can I keep my old passport while applying online?

Yes. With online applications, you keep your current passport throughout the processing period. If your passport still has validity, you can travel with it during the up to 10-week wait. Postal applicants must send their passport away and cannot travel until the new one arrives.

When does applying by post make sense?

Very rarely. The main cases are: accessibility needs that prevent using the online system, or specific situations where HMPO advises paper application. For 95%+ of applicants, online is the correct choice.

Also see: Full cost overview | Passport photo cost | Processing times