Fees for the biometric ePassport were officially published today by the Identity and Passport Service (IPS).

The UK is one of forty countries that will be issuing their citizens with ePassports. From October ePassport production will be a requirement for countries wishing to remain within the US Visa Waiver Scheme.

The tiered fees come into effect from 5 October this year and complete a two-stage fee increase in price. The cost of a standard UK ten-year adult passport rose from £33 to £51 in December 2005; from 5 October this year, with the introduction of the biometric ePassports, the fee will now be £66.

This increase is necessary said the IPS , which was formed in April this year when the UK Passport Service merged with the Home Office Identity Cards Programme, in order to meet international standards.

This includes various anti-fraud measures such as enhanced background checks on applicants and preparations for face-to-face interviews for first-time adult passport applicants from next year.

The IPS said the fees compare reasonably to other countries introducing ePassports; the IPS said Australia's fees will be £72, Belgium £96, France £41, Iceland £81, Japan £163, New Zealand £123, Norway £87, Switzerland £219 and the USA £54).

Home Office Minister Joan Ryan said:"Over a million British biometric ePassports have now been issued, and from the end of this summer all new British passports will be ePassports, containing a secure chip storing the holder's personal details and a scan of their photo, as well as other improved security features.

"This provides enhanced security and reassurance for the holders and is in line with internationally agreed standards aimed at combating the growing threat of fraud and forgery.

"Passport production is paid for through the passport fee. There is a cost to the anti-fraud measures that we are introducing, but we are clear that it is a price that must be paid to protect the integrity of our travel documents and improve the security of our borders.

"We are determined that the British Passport will remain one of the most secure in the world, and a document that can be relied on by British travellers wherever they go."

Also published today are the final Annual Report and Accounts of the UK Passport Service.

The new passport fees that will apply from 5 October (current fees in brackets):

Postal Fast Track Premium

Adult: postal applications £ 66 (£51); fast track service £91 (£77.50); premium service £ 108 (96.50)

Child: postal applications £45 (£34); fast track service £80 (£70); premium service, £93 (£83)

Jumbo : postal applications £77 (£62.50); fast track service, £97 (£87); premium service £114.50 (£104.50)