IF YOU’RE planning a big trip, it might be time to think about renewing your passport.
Brit tourists are reminded to check their passport expiry date before they jet off – or they could be staying home.
The UK passport office has previously warned that “during busy times, including the run-up to Christmas and school holidays, waiting times can be longer”.
Last year families were waiting as a long as 10 weeks to get their passports back in time for their family holidays.
Therefore Brits who need a new passport are advised that now is the best time to apply for a passport, especially since some countries require you to have at least three months left on your passport by the date you intend to return home.
Other countries require you to have six months remaining on your passport.
The second thing Brits should check their passport for is the start date or ‘date of issue’.
This is because new rules no longer allow Brits to have passports that have more than 10 years left on them.
Previously, UK passport holders could roll over up to nine months from their previous documents – these are no longer valid, meaning the expiry date may not be the real expiry date.
Another thing to check before jetting off abroad is whether your passport has any kind of damage.
A number of travellers have been turned away from their flights due to their passports having some damage to them.
The Government website warns: “You must replace your passport if it has more than reasonable wear and tear because you may not be allowed to travel with it.”
This can be anything from a bit of water damage or slightly torn pages, to missing pages or large rips.
Make sure the passport isn’t full either – some countries require a full page for the exit and entry stamp, like Turkey.
If you need to renew your passport, it can be done online or via a paper form at the Post Office.
Passport renewals cost £88.50 online, and £100 if you apply by paper form.
Kid’s passports cost £57.50 and £69 by post.
If you need a new passport urgently, you can apply for a Fast Track Renewal.
This costs £207 for a one day premium. A one week fast track service costs £166.50 for adults and £135.50 for a child
What do I need to check on my passport?
There are two things you need to check on your passport before booking your holiday.
The first time is the start date.
New rules for Brits since Brexit no longer allow you to have a passport longer than 10 years old.
Previous rules let you roll over up to nine months from your last passport if you renew it early – that means some can have 10 years and nine months on them.
For example, if your passport start date is July 2012 but the expiry date says it was December 2022 that is wrong.
For Europe, the new expiry would actually be July 2022.
The second thing to check after this is how long is left on your passport.
European countries now require you to have at least three months left on your passport.
So if your passport expires in September 2022, the last date you could have travelled to Europe would have been June 2022.
