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Original poster

Passport advice - what would you do?

102 replies

Nearlyamumoftwo · 16/06/2026 16:24

Flying to Lanzarote a month today and realised my son's passport expires November 2026 - technically this is ok as we ar returning to the UK in July 2026 (rule is at least 3 month validity), but would your risk it??

if not - would you renew and risk the standard service which takes approx 3 weeks?

or do fast track? And if you do fast track does anyone know if the child has to accompany you??

OP posts:
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greenmacchiato · 23/06/2026 07:47

I'd probably use the one I have now if it stays valid for quite some time. Renewal is a good idea but better done when you have more time, just in case of any delays or mistakes (which happens rarely but you still don't want to risk it).
Besides, I usually hate the photos they do in the post office and prefer to take my own (also here is a guide for that if you need one!) and there might be a small chance it gets declined. Then again, this has never happened to me personally but that should be kept in mind still.

Overall, I'd just go with the existing passport since it'll be valid by the time you return.

Thebinisrightthere · 17/06/2026 08:09

IMTOOMessy · 16/06/2026 22:17

Depends on age of child. A friend got turned away in UK very recently as her passport was issued more than ten years ago (despite having more than 3 months left). Not sure how that even comes about but the message is be careful - they absolutely will not let things slide.

The person in question is a child, therefore has only a 5 year passport

dementedpixie · 16/06/2026 22:53

Issue date comes into play for a 10 year passport as up until 2018 extra months could be added making it valid for up to 10y 9months.

Those extra months dont count for entry into the EU which is why you add 10 years to the issue date to see the latest you could travel to the EU.

You go by the printed expiry when calculating the 3 months remaining when leaving the EU

dementedpixie · 16/06/2026 22:48

IMTOOMessy · 16/06/2026 22:45

Three month buffer depends on when it was issued, no?

No, its a 3 month buffer from the expiry date printed whether its a 5 or 10 year passport

McSpoot · 16/06/2026 22:48

IMTOOMessy · 16/06/2026 22:46

So my point is - as I said upthread - check the issue date.

And, as had been pointed out. It is a child’s passport so could not have possibly been issued more than 5 years ago. And the return date must be at least three months before the expiry date

IMTOOMessy · 16/06/2026 22:47

Why no?

McSpoot · 16/06/2026 22:46

IMTOOMessy · 16/06/2026 22:45

Three month buffer depends on when it was issued, no?

No.

IMTOOMessy · 16/06/2026 22:46

So my point is - as I said upthread - check the issue date.

IMTOOMessy · 16/06/2026 22:45

Three month buffer depends on when it was issued, no?

dementedpixie · 16/06/2026 22:45

IMTOOMessy · 16/06/2026 22:43

Validity Calculations: The 3-month buffer required for your departure is strictly calculated from the official expiry date printed on the passport, which was set exactly 5 years from the original issue date. 1]
Changing Appearances: If the passport was issued when your child was a baby and they are now 4 or 5 years old, border officials look at the issue date to judge if the photo is still a reasonable likeness. If the child is unrecognizable, you may face delays or refusal at the border.

What's your point here?
Op isn't talking about changed appearance

IMTOOMessy · 16/06/2026 22:43

Validity Calculations: The 3-month buffer required for your departure is strictly calculated from the official expiry date printed on the passport, which was set exactly 5 years from the original issue date. 1]
Changing Appearances: If the passport was issued when your child was a baby and they are now 4 or 5 years old, border officials look at the issue date to judge if the photo is still a reasonable likeness. If the child is unrecognizable, you may face delays or refusal at the border.

BitOutOfPractice · 16/06/2026 22:42

AnonyMumAuDHD · 16/06/2026 18:08

Lol - yes. Appreciate that, but have heard some horror stories, for example, of people being caught out by staff at airport making errors over the new EES, for example, when the passport has already been used and making them do it a second time and then buggering up/invalidating their passport as a result.

I’m very risk averse, as always seem to encounter the rare previously unknown rule that no one knew about that moment... so unless I had it written in writing from the visa section of the embassy website for the country I am travelling to, I’d get it renewed.

Show quote history

“I’ve heard sine horror stories” doesn’t negate the fact that this passport is perfectly valid for this holiday.

pouletvous · 16/06/2026 22:39

Go onto the airline website and do the passport check

dementedpixie · 16/06/2026 22:38

IMTOOMessy · 16/06/2026 22:32

While adult passports last 10 years, child passports are issued for a maximum of 5 years. The issue date determines when the passport is no longer valid, and many countries enforce strict rules regarding both the age of the passport and its expiration date.

Eu requires a passport to be less than 10 years old on date of entry. A child passport will ALWAYS meet this criteria as its only valid for 5 years. Extra months stopped being added in 2018 so all current child passports will only have validity of 5 years

IMTOOMessy · 16/06/2026 22:32

While adult passports last 10 years, child passports are issued for a maximum of 5 years. The issue date determines when the passport is no longer valid, and many countries enforce strict rules regarding both the age of the passport and its expiration date.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 16/06/2026 22:30

IMTOOMessy · 16/06/2026 22:29

A child can be any age up until 18 though?

Fair enough if that’s a blanket ruling.

All children have a 5 year child’s passport

BendingSpoons · 16/06/2026 22:29

IMTOOMessy · 16/06/2026 22:25

It depends on the issue date.

For a current CHILD passport (valid for 5 years) the issue date will be exactly 5 years before the expiry date. This is because they stopped adding months onto passports more than 5 years ago.

IMTOOMessy · 16/06/2026 22:29

A child can be any age up until 18 though?

Fair enough if that’s a blanket ruling.

Clearinguptheclutter · 16/06/2026 22:28

It’s a non issue, it’s fine. Unless you are travelling again within a few days of
returning
no need to renew, just do it in good time for next time you go abroad

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 16/06/2026 22:27

IMTOOMessy · 16/06/2026 22:25

It depends on the issue date.

Not for a child’s

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 16/06/2026 22:27

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · 16/06/2026 22:14

Left on it compared to the expiry date or compared to the issue date plus 5 though?

Show quote history

Irrelevant for a child’s passport

IMTOOMessy · 16/06/2026 22:25

It depends on the issue date.

Original poster
Nearlyamumoftwo · 16/06/2026 22:19

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · 16/06/2026 22:14

Left on it compared to the expiry date or compared to the issue date plus 5 though?

Show quote history

the expiry date is 3 months and 1 week from the day we return - so technically I have a week of safety?

OP posts:
IMTOOMessy · 16/06/2026 22:17

Depends on age of child. A friend got turned away in UK very recently as her passport was issued more than ten years ago (despite having more than 3 months left). Not sure how that even comes about but the message is be careful - they absolutely will not let things slide.

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · 16/06/2026 22:14

Nearlyamumoftwo · 16/06/2026 20:27

Thanks so much for all the replies. Yes he is a child so a 5 year passport! We come back at the end of July, so there will be about 3 months and 1 week left on it - and the rule is 3 months. I can't imagine they'll change the rules though?

Left on it compared to the expiry date or compared to the issue date plus 5 though?

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