A UK child passport costs £66.50 online, and who has to sign the form
A UK child passport costs £66.50 online, is valid five years and needs a parent’s application. Who signs a renewal, and the fast-track cost.
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A child’s UK passport costs £66.50 online and £80 on a paper form, is valid for five years, and must be applied for by an adult with parental responsibility, who gives both parents’ details. The online route is £13.50 cheaper and produces the same passport. A countersignature is needed only for some renewals, not for every application. Everything here is from GOV.UK pages read on 3 October 2026.
- Apply online. It is the cheapest route, and it gives the same passport as the paper form.
- Five years. A child passport needs renewing sooner than an adult one, so check its expiry before each trip.
- The countersignature applies to renewals for a child aged 11 or under, or where the child’s appearance has changed.
- Check the six-month rule. Many destinations want six months’ validity from your arrival, and a five-year book can fall inside that sooner than you think.
Who has to apply for a child’s passport?
An adult with parental responsibility for the child has to make the application. Grandparents, friends and babysitters cannot apply unless they hold that responsibility. GOV.UK asks for both parents’ details on the form, even when only one parent is applying, so have both sets of details to hand before you start.
Every child needs their own passport. A child cannot be added to an adult’s book. GOV.UK’s guidance on child passports sets out the application steps, and our guide to renewing a passport fast covers how long each service takes.
What does a child passport cost in 2026?
The standard 34-page child passport is £66.50 online and £80 on a paper form. A one-week Fast Track for a child costs £156.50, according to GOV.UK’s urgent-passport page. GOV.UK also says it is £13.50 cheaper to apply online than by post, which is the difference between the two standard routes.
When does a child need a countersignature?
A countersignature is needed when you renew a child’s passport if the child is 11 or under, or if the child’s appearance has changed so they cannot be recognised from the old passport. GOV.UK says the countersignatory must have known the adult who signed the form, for a child under 16, for at least two years, and must be able to identify them, for example as a friend, neighbour or colleague.
The countersignatory cannot be related to the child by birth or marriage, cannot be in a relationship with the applicant, and cannot live at the same address. They must also write a statement that the photo is a true likeness, with the child’s name, and sign and date it.
How long should a five-year child passport last for travel?
Check the expiry date before every trip, because the six-month rule can make a five-year book unusable sooner than you think. Many countries require at least six months’ validity from the date you arrive, as set out in our passport validity guide. A book that expires in eight months may be fine for a two-week holiday in one place and refused in another.
If the book is close to the limit, renew early rather than paying for the fast service. Our visas, passports and entry guide covers the other checks to make before you fly.
What if the passport is damaged or lost?
A damaged child passport can still be refused, and a lost one needs replacing before you travel. Our guides to damaged passports and to a lost or stolen passport abroad explain what to do first. Keep copies of the child’s passport details in a separate place as well.
This page summarises GOV.UK guidance as read on 3 October 2026. Fees and rules change, and the official application form and the GOV.UK pages are the final word.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a child passport cost in the UK?
£66.50 online and £80 on a paper form for the standard 34-page child passport under 16. A one-week Fast Track for a child is £156.50, per GOV.UK.
How long is a child passport valid?
Five years, according to GOV.UK.
Who can apply for a child passport?
Someone with parental responsibility for the child. GOV.UK asks for both parents’ details on the application, even if only one parent applies.
When is a countersignature needed for a child passport?
When renewing for a child aged 11 or under, or where the child’s appearance has changed so they cannot be recognised from the existing passport. The countersignatory must have known the adult who signed for at least two years.
Is it cheaper to apply online for a child passport?
Yes. The online standard fee is £66.50, against £80 for the paper form, which GOV.UK puts at £13.50 less online.
Keep reading
UK fees, processing times and the six-month rule.
Why a passport can be refused with months left.
The three checks before you fly.
What counts, and whether you can still fly.
Sources: GOV.UK, “Get a child passport”, read 3 October 2026 (fees, validity, who applies, both parents’ details); GOV.UK, “Urgent passport fees”, read 3 October 2026 (Fast Track for a child); GOV.UK, “Countersigning passport applications and photos”, read 3 October 2026 (countersignatory rules). This is general information, not legal advice.
Photos via Pexels: Gatsby Yang (cover), Krishna Kids Photography, Borys Zaitsev, Marta Branco, DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ.
Written by
Bishnu AdhikariPokhara-based, NMA-certified trekking guides. We’ve led 5,000+ treks across the Annapurna and Everest regions since 1998 — every word here comes from the trail. More from this author →
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