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Original poster

DS passport has expired - we fly on Wednesday

94 replies

feemcgee · 04/07/2019 10:14

We have completely screwed up! DH went to check in online this morning for our holiday on Wednesday - discovered that DS passport has expired! Can't believe we've done this. Passport office says they can't fast track a child's application like they can for adults, and there's no guarantee it will arrive on time. I've just been into the Glasgow passport office to be told that I have to make an appointment - but they can't make them, I had to phone another number - then was told you have to make an appointment online - either late tomorrow in Glasgow, or first thing tomorrow in Liverpool.
I'm trying to be practical about this without losing it!

OP posts:
lazymare · 04/07/2019 12:47

I assume you've booked the Liverpool one? Make sure everything is water tight on the application. We did an appointment one a few years ago and there was a minor issue I can't remember with how we knew the person who had countersigned.

Also, if the child is over 12 they have to sign it I think.

Tinyteatime · 04/07/2019 12:56

I used the fast track for my dc’s 1st passport, went to the Newport office and it dropped through the letter box the next day, I was amazed how fast it was. Good luck!

Crabbitstick · 04/07/2019 12:57

Can’t you do the same day at one of the offices? We did that in Glasgow - had appt and return after 4hrs to get passport. No posting.

WhereForArtThouBray · 04/07/2019 13:00

I only checked ours last week for our holiday in 2 weeks time so you aren't they only one OP.

5 years on a child's passport goes so quickly.

managedmis · 04/07/2019 13:00

So you're at the Liverpool one?

Knittedfairies · 04/07/2019 13:06

Good luck OP!

FuriousVexation · 04/07/2019 13:08

Crossing fingers for you OP, but as a PP said you've got 5 full days to get it. I would personally go and pick it up in person rather than trust it to posting.

I know this isn't the question you asked but if you haven't gone AI before. If the food is buffet style I'd suggest you go as early as possible to eat your main meals, as in this heat, food will go on the turn pretty quick if not covered. That said, I've not been AI for years and I've only done it in the Caribbean so things may be quite different these days.

Also don't fall into the trap of "I have to get my money's worth!" and stuff yourselves with food and drink to the point of illness. First time I went AI I fell into that mindset on the first couple of days and ended up drinking daiquiris all morning "just because" and then missing the whole afternoon and evening because I was in a drunken sleep.

Good luck and have a great time!

notapizzaeater · 04/07/2019 13:09

For future years, I've put my sons in my phone as a birthday so this year it's come up with 2.5 years left in passport and I've added it already for next year as 1.5 year on passport - I also do his with my MoT

Mummyoflittledragon · 04/07/2019 13:13

I see one these threads from time to time, the ops passports are always returned in time. Very very likely the same will happen for your ds, especially as it’s several days away. We did the same with dds passport earlier this year. I’d recently had a big emergency surgery. Ever so luckily we had just got her french passport otherwise dh would have been running round too. We all drop the ball sometimes.

ittakes2 · 04/07/2019 13:25

It took less than a week to get my children's renewal back - cross fingers you get it back in time too.

bizzey · 04/07/2019 13:25

OP what a nightmare!
Re the comments of over 12's signing for themselves.
They can as long as long as they " resemble " the previous photo.
(Don't think I have worded that very well )
They are " allowed " maturing of the face
but i suppose the problem would be if you had a dc with blonde hair which had not naturally darken.

If in doubt get it countersigned.
Good luck and hope you have a fab holiday.
(One definitely to remember 😁😂)

bizzey · 04/07/2019 13:27

Ahhh now naturally darkened

StealthNinjaMum · 04/07/2019 13:33

Not read the full thread but last July I did this with the kids passports and they were back within about 3 days. We weren't going away until August but I panicked so I can imagine how you're feeling.

HypatiaCade · 04/07/2019 13:49

Good luck. But I did a fast track, appointment was last Friday morning and this morning I got the text that the passport is on its way. So either today or tomorrow, which is a full week. But this is in London, so might have taken longer?

And yes get it countersigned. I mentioned to the passport officer that I had ummed and ahhed about getting it countersigned, as I thought DS was recognisable from his last photo and she said "But you're mum. You did the right thing getting it countersigned".

zonkin · 04/07/2019 15:41

For those asking about advance passenger info when checking in online, I had done this with DD's old passport (before realising about the 6 month rule). When I realised that she had to get a new one I contacted the airline about it (Easyjet) and they were very blasé about it. Just said to go to a customer service desk at the airport. The staff at the airport were also really blasé. It was Gatwick and self check in, so all the passports had to be rescanned anyway. (This was in May this year).

Being paranoid I took the original passport with me anyway just in case! Nobody asked.

dementedpixie · 04/07/2019 16:51

There isn't a 6 month rule for European destinations yet. Still only needs to be valid for the duration of the holiday

ForalltheSaints · 04/07/2019 18:18

Being practical, have a plan B in case it fails. DS staying with relatives perhaps?

HypatiaCade · 04/07/2019 19:15

Just to update, I did not receive DS's passport today from last Friday's appointment. His old passport was received today though, they get posted separately on purpose, so I'm guessing new passport will be tomorrow exactly one week.

onedayallthiswillbeyours · 04/07/2019 19:41

The wonderful people at the Liverpool passport office managed to process DD4s passport renewal in 3 days when we were in the same situation a couple of years ago Smile

MummyToEthan · 04/07/2019 20:43

🍀

Cracklycaramel · 04/07/2019 20:53

I once had a lost passport 1 week before I flew. I had an appointment at Liverpool and cried at them as my mum had paid for me to fly across the world and I was going to miss it. They were fabulous and I had it 3 days later.

ProfessorofPerspective · 04/07/2019 21:38

A few years ago, I realised on the way to the eurotunnel that DS's passport had expired 10 months before- I had checked but misread. Got an emergency appt at Newport for the following day, we lived in Surrey so it was Wales and back in a day. Lucky to have only missed 24hrs of a two week holiday. Good luck!

Muddlingalongalone · 04/07/2019 21:43

I've just renewed my adult passport online and it only took 6 days including a 1 day hold up with the photo so I'm sure doing it in person will be even quicker.

GreyGardens88 · 04/07/2019 21:47

I once turned up at the airport for a long haul flight but was denied at check in due to damage to passport (tear on photo page) my own fault for not checking! Luckily my flight was transferred free of charge for a few days later, mind you the train to Durham passport office and back almost cost as much as the flight!

MrJollyLivesNextDoor · 04/07/2019 22:01

Flying out of UK and my DS passport had got wet overnight and had water damage around the photo
They ummed and arred at the gate but reluctantly allowed us to fly out

Coming back 🙈
The water damage plus the fact the photo was taken when DS was 2 weeks old (he was now 4ish) with a different (foreign) surname to me...4 times we were pulled aside and DS questioned in a foreign language that he didn't speak 😑
But they eventually let us both on the plane without a trip to the embassy, fun times 😐