What to know about the new British passport with King Charles coat of | UK | News
The Home Office will begin rolling out the updated British passport next month, meaning the document will bear King Charles’ official coat of arms on its cover for the first time. Passport designs are normally refreshed every five years, with visual changes combined with security upgrades aimed at stopping forgers.
The previous revision in 2020 reinstated the navy blue cap we were once familiar with before the EU’s maroon design rules. This version replaced the cultural illustrations with simpler geometric designs.
Smaller updates may also occur throughout the life of the passport. In 2023, the inset was changed to reflect the coronation of King Charles, emphasizing “His British Majesty”. Similarly, in April 2019, ahead of the full return of blue passports and the UK’s official departure from the EU, the words “European Union” were removed from the cover.
What has changed in the new passport?
The headline difference is Queen Elizabeth II. It is the replacement of the Elizabethan design with the coat of arms of King Charles. For most people, the tweaks will be subtle: the lion and unicorn appear smaller next to the main crest, and the top of the crown is more rounded.
More significant updates appear on the inside. Inside pages now feature watermark-style images of well-known British sights such as Ben Nevis, Lake Windermere and Three Cliffs Bay. The passport’s navy blue cover is being retained, meaning the final burgundy versions will be phased out by the end of the decade.
Is the new passport safer?
Security features have also been strengthened. The Home Office says the document will be the most secure ever; This claim was also made in 2020.
The photo page now uses more holographic and translucent elements; They are designed to reveal specific shapes and patterns when bent, helping authorities detect tampering. As before, the photo page is made of ultra-thin polycarbonate, the same material used in driver’s licenses, to make it harder to damage over time.
When can travelers expect the new design?
The Ministry of Internal Affairs says that updated passports will be issued from December, meaning that anyone who applies after this point should get the new passport. There is no need to wait for the current passport to expire, but remaining validity cannot be transferred to a new passport.
Standard passports are valid for ten years from the date of issue. Early renewals generally allow applicants to roll over up to nine months of remaining time.
How much will a new passport cost?
Passport fees increased earlier this year. A standard online application now costs £94.50 for an adult and £61.50 for a child, around 25 per cent more than the 2022 price. Postal applications cost £107 for adults and £74 for children, while a one-day premium service costs £222 for adults and £189 for children. Candidates applying from abroad usually pay slightly higher fees.
There has been no word on further increases in 2026, but the fact that both the Conservative and Labor governments have increased wages three times in three years may provide a clue about future trends.
Anyone who gets a new passport will need to re-apply for visa exemptions linked to the old document, including the US ESTA, and re-register with the EU’s Entry-Exit System (EES).
Will my current passport still be valid?
The implementation of the new design will not affect existing passports and the passports will continue to be valid until their validity period expires.
