Explanatory note

This Order revokes and replaces the Consular Fees Order 1997.

The Order sets out the fees to be charged for consular services. The overall effect is to continue the drive towards full cost recovery for fee-bearing consular services by revising charges for passport services.

Passport fees are raised from £18 to £21 (standard passport), and from £27 to £31 (48 page passport). The fee for amending an existing passport will be increased from £5 to £11. Children’s passports valid for five years will be issued at a cost of £11 (just over half the charge for a ten year standard passport), in contrast to the previous practice of charging the full standard fee then renewing the fee after five years.

For all passport fees there will be an extra £10 handling charge for applications made in person in the UK or applications made abroad. This reflects the increased cost of providing such services compared to dealing with postal applications.