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Original poster

Help! Travelling Monday - Passport Expiry.

136 replies

invisiblebark · 21/12/2024 18:14

Planned a day trip to Europe on Monday to go to a Xmas Market.

One of the kids passports expires on 16th January.

Will he be refused entry??

I believe you need at least 3 months left on the passport?

OP posts:
ItOnlyTakesTwoMinutes · 21/12/2024 18:43

Mademetoxic · 21/12/2024 18:33

Never book without checking. Lesson has been learnt.

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Brilliant.

Original poster
invisiblebark · 21/12/2024 18:41

Nicknacky · 21/12/2024 18:39

Why should his mum be aware id she isn’t going on the holiday? Could his dad not have checked if someone had to ask him?

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It was booked pretty last minute.

It was more of an 'we're planning a trip to X on this date, do you want to come?'

But, in hindsight, either DSS, me, DH or his DM should have thought to check.

OP posts:
DreamW3aver · 21/12/2024 18:41

Mademetoxic · 21/12/2024 18:26

It's common sense. To check passports before booking.

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Maybe to you but every summer there are endless threads on here from posters in exactly the same situation, they aren't doing it on purpose, people make mistakes, you must know that even if you never make one yourself

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 21/12/2024 18:40

Soontobe60 · 21/12/2024 18:36

The thing is, whoever booked the trip should tell all passengers to check their passports before booking. So if you were booking for him, you should have asked him to check his passport. But hindsight is a great thing. I’m afraid he's not going to be joining you and you will forfeit the cost of his ticket.

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If they're travelling by Eurotunnel they won't have bought an individual ticket for him. It just means he won't be able to go. The rest of them can still go.

@invisiblebark If you don't want to travel without him you can change your Eurotunnel tickets very easily and travel some other time, but it won't be for the Christmas market.

PullTheBricksDown · 21/12/2024 18:40

Too many others going to cancel IMO. At his age he can cope. You meant well. It's just bad luck.

Original poster
invisiblebark · 21/12/2024 18:39

ChristmasinBrighton · 21/12/2024 18:35

Will you go ahead without him? It’s a shame but yes, whoever books it is responsible for asking the question.

I think we will, yes, as otherwise we'll lose the £150 Le Shuttle Booking and the other four kids will miss out.

OP posts:
Nicknacky · 21/12/2024 18:39

invisiblebark · 21/12/2024 18:37

Possibly, I should have done, yes.

But I assumed either he or his DM would be aware of the rules and the dates on his passport so when I booked and asked him to come they'd have been able to say 'actually, Insiblebark, I/DS passport expires on X.'

It was booked as a last-minute thing, so there wouldn't have been enough time for a renewal anyway.

But lesson learnt. I'm pretty gutted and not sure what to do now.

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Why should his mum be aware id she isn’t going on the holiday? Could his dad not have checked if someone had to ask him?

WinterCrow · 21/12/2024 18:39

Well he can't go; so you have to decide with your DP whether the rest of you are going or not.

Original poster
invisiblebark · 21/12/2024 18:37

dementedpixie · 21/12/2024 18:34

If you booked it you should have asked if the passport was valid

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Possibly, I should have done, yes.

But I assumed either he or his DM would be aware of the rules and the dates on his passport so when I booked and asked him to come they'd have been able to say 'actually, Insiblebark, I/DS passport expires on X.'

It was booked as a last-minute thing, so there wouldn't have been enough time for a renewal anyway.

But lesson learnt. I'm pretty gutted and not sure what to do now.

OP posts:
TickingAlongNicely · 21/12/2024 18:37

invisiblebark · 21/12/2024 18:32

He's 18 and lives with his DM. I don't actually think it's my responsibility to make sure his passport is valid.

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His parent should have checked with him for the three months thing, but its too late now.

At least its an adult who can rationalise the mistake rather than a small child.

biscuitsandbooks · 21/12/2024 18:37

dementedpixie · 21/12/2024 18:35

If its by train then they might give more leeway compared to flying but no guarantees

They won't, the law now requires at least three months validity from the date of your return.

Soontobe60 · 21/12/2024 18:36

invisiblebark · 21/12/2024 18:32

He's 18 and lives with his DM. I don't actually think it's my responsibility to make sure his passport is valid.

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The thing is, whoever booked the trip should tell all passengers to check their passports before booking. So if you were booking for him, you should have asked him to check his passport. But hindsight is a great thing. I’m afraid he's not going to be joining you and you will forfeit the cost of his ticket.

VanWeezer · 21/12/2024 18:36

When are you travelling on Monday?

The reason I ask is as he is 18 he might be able to get a premium application. It is ridiculously tight though time wise.

If you are travelling in the evening then you might be okay.

Earlier than that and he isn't going

biscuitsandbooks · 21/12/2024 18:35

invisiblebark · 21/12/2024 18:32

He's 18 and lives with his DM. I don't actually think it's my responsibility to make sure his passport is valid.

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Did you not check he had a valid passport before you booked the holiday? I can't imagine booking to go abroad without making sure we all had valid passports.

Yes, he's technically an adult but I do think the person who books has some responsibility to at least ask everyone first.

dementedpixie · 21/12/2024 18:35

If its by train then they might give more leeway compared to flying but no guarantees

ChristmasinBrighton · 21/12/2024 18:35

Will you go ahead without him? It’s a shame but yes, whoever books it is responsible for asking the question.

biscuitsandbooks · 21/12/2024 18:34

TickingAlongNicely · 21/12/2024 18:30

You could a few years ago! I flew abroad with a few days left on my 5yos passport for example (and no return journey booked)

And you can still for some countries.

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You can't fly to Europe anymore unless you have at least three months left on your passport from the day you return home.

dementedpixie · 21/12/2024 18:34

invisiblebark · 21/12/2024 18:32

He's 18 and lives with his DM. I don't actually think it's my responsibility to make sure his passport is valid.

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If you booked it you should have asked if the passport was valid

Mademetoxic · 21/12/2024 18:33

invisiblebark · 21/12/2024 18:32

He's 18 and lives with his DM. I don't actually think it's my responsibility to make sure his passport is valid.

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Never book without checking. Lesson has been learnt.

biscuitsandbooks · 21/12/2024 18:33

He won't be allowed to travel.

dementedpixie · 21/12/2024 18:33

TickingAlongNicely · 21/12/2024 18:30

You could a few years ago! I flew abroad with a few days left on my 5yos passport for example (and no return journey booked)

And you can still for some countries.

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If it was before Brexit then there were different rules. Since brexit passports need to be under 10 years old on the day you enter the EU and have 3 months remaining when you leave

Original poster
invisiblebark · 21/12/2024 18:32

Mademetoxic · 21/12/2024 18:23

Why do people not check before booking?!

He's 18 and lives with his DM. I don't actually think it's my responsibility to make sure his passport is valid.

OP posts:
Mademetoxic · 21/12/2024 18:32

TickingAlongNicely · 21/12/2024 18:30

You could a few years ago! I flew abroad with a few days left on my 5yos passport for example (and no return journey booked)

And you can still for some countries.

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Things have changed now, for the good.

To think that you can go somewhere with less than 3 weeks left on your passport is ridiculous.

TickingAlongNicely · 21/12/2024 18:30

Mademetoxic · 21/12/2024 18:28

Well nothing can be done about it now, but everyone should check. It's literally common sense and it's shocking how people think they can go somewhere with less than a month valid.

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You could a few years ago! I flew abroad with a few days left on my 5yos passport for example (and no return journey booked)

And you can still for some countries.

Original poster
invisiblebark · 21/12/2024 18:30

Oh no!

It's my Step Son's passport. He lives with his DM.

I just assumed his passport was valid. I didn't even think to ask how long he had left on it until I've just gone to add our passport info to the Le Shuttle booking and seen the expiry date.

OP posts: