The fee for processing an adult British passport will rise by more than $40 next month.

From February 1, adults will have to pay $173 as opposed to $132. The fee for children will rise from $86 to $112.

The increase has been blamed on the use of new technology at the British Embassy's passport office in Washington.

Due to the change, the Department of Immigration will not be accepting any application for a British passport under the old fee schedule after January 31.

The process of obtaining a British passport will stay the same. Applicants should supply a US bank draft written to "the British Embassy Government Account" for the required fee, plus an additional $84 processing which can be paid by cash, debit card or cheque made payable to "the Accountant General".

For more information call the Personal Services section of the Department of Immigration at 295-5151.