As of 2026, a standard child's UK passport (under age 16) costs £57.50 if you apply online. That’s it. Just over fifty quid. Think of it as the price of a decent family pizza night, only it lasts for five years instead of twenty minutes. If you go the paper application route, it’s a bit more—£67.50—but honestly, doing it online is a breeze and saves you a tenner.
And yes, that fee is for exactly the same passport an adult gets, just with a smaller, cuter photo. No hidden “I’m short” tax. You pay once, and for half a decade, your child can dream of sandy beaches, French castles, or just visiting Granny in Scotland.
Why You Should Care (Beyond the Obvious)
I know what you’re thinking: “But we’re not going anywhere exotic this year.” Fair point. But life has a funny way of springing last-minute adventures on you. Remember when your mate announced their cheap villa in Spain? Or when your sister-in-law booked a surprise trip to Disneyland Paris? Without that passport, you’re watching from home, scrolling photos while your little one asks, “Why can’t we go?”
A child’s passport is your golden ticket to spontaneity. It turns “maybe next year” into “pack your teddy, we’re flying Friday.” Plus, it’s a brilliant motivator. You can show it to your toddler and say, “This is your magic ticket to see the Eiffel Tower!” It might not stop them from having a meltdown at the airport, but it makes the planning fun.
