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Original poster

Do I need 6 months on my passport to travel

54 replies

Fingernail · 25/01/2020 07:31

We are going on holiday mid February and I have just realised our passports expire end of may!

Will we just not be allowed on the flight?

OP posts:
Bedroomdilemma · 25/01/2020 08:12

Why would you not just renew rather than trying to wing it?

vjg13 · 25/01/2020 08:15

It's not a peak time so get them sent in the next few days and they'll be back in time. Really not worth the hassle of getting refused.

TulipCat · 25/01/2020 08:15

Love the idea that you can "wing it" with official documentation and universally applied rules!

eurochick · 25/01/2020 08:15

This is not something you can wing! Get them renewed.

HeronLanyon · 25/01/2020 08:17

Neither 4 nor 3 are the required 6.

LizzieSiddal · 25/01/2020 08:17

No don’t wing it- the only place you’ll be winging it to, is home!

And for those going to Europe, you do not need 6 months on your passport during the transition period, which is this year. For 2021, nobody yet knows!

endoflevelbaddy · 25/01/2020 08:18

They likely won't let you board. I tried to go on a trip to Spain with less than 6 months on mine and the woman at check in said I couldn't travel with it. Obviously I argued I could and I'd checked, luckily her boss came over and told her she was incorrect but I imagine that's where you'd be getting stopped for your Egypt trip unfortunately.

Original poster
Fingernail · 25/01/2020 08:19

Why would you not just renew rather than trying to wing it?

Because...from my panic googling this going, it seems you can’t emergency renew kids passports? And if I send them normal route, I run the risk they won’t be back in time. I was thinking if my passport is fine, would they be lenient about the kids only having 3 and 4 months

I’m going to phone passport office helpline when it opens at 9am

another option - I could just leave the kids behind and go on my own?!! 😎

OP posts:
TartanMarbled · 25/01/2020 08:20

For goodness sake, you have plenty of time to get new passports.

dementedpixie · 25/01/2020 08:21

I just told you above that 1 week fast track can be used for child renewal

dementedpixie · 25/01/2020 08:22

www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-urgently/1-week-fast-track-service need a paper form and an appointment

Original poster
Fingernail · 25/01/2020 08:23

@dementedpixie, so you did. Sorry, I hadn’t picked up on that

OP posts:
dollybird · 25/01/2020 08:25

I applied online to renew DD's passport on 12/1 and it came in the post yesterday. Very quick to do online, you even just do a digital photo

AgathaVanHelsing · 25/01/2020 08:26

You would have to be some kind of idiot to wing it instead of just getting the kids renewals via 1 week fastrack.

Is it actually that you can't afford the cost right now op? Not sure you have a choice

Original poster
Fingernail · 25/01/2020 08:29

@dollybird, that sounds really promising!! Am I right in thinking they can give an estimate of turn around time??

@Agatha I could do without the cost. But more, a trip to the passport office is going to be hard

OP posts:
dollybird · 25/01/2020 08:34

It gives you the option to track its progress so that may give you an estimate. I didn't use the tracker as DD doesn't need it till April and I knew it was quick when I did mine, DH's and DS's last year.

AllyBamma · 25/01/2020 08:34

At least try and renew, you’d be mad to wing it

AgathaVanHelsing · 25/01/2020 08:35

Well then from this you will have learned something then won't you op.

You need to make this a priority or you won't be allowed to go.

Womenwotlunch · 25/01/2020 08:37

Don’t try and wing it. Send the passports by soecial delivery today. You should get it back within two weeks

BridgeFarmKefir · 25/01/2020 08:37

My husband just renewed his passport online and it was back in 5 days. It's not a busy time right now so I'd renew. Much better than being stuck in an airport or wasting money on a holiday you don't get to go on.

coconuttelegraph · 25/01/2020 08:41

I've always found passport renewals to be really quick but I can see that this week people might be rushing to get through before Brexit day.

If you decide to wing it get your DC to practice their sad faces for the local newspaper article about a poor family being denied their much needed holiday due to stupid forriners applying their own rules.

eurochick · 25/01/2020 08:42

You have to weigh up it being a bit awkward to get to the passport office against not being allowed to board the plane or (worse) being allowed to fly but being turned away by Egyptian immigration, being held in the airport in who knows what conditions and then flown straight home.

I know which option I'd pick.

Expo · 25/01/2020 08:48

Passport renewal is quick. It’s not peak time. Just do it.

Original poster
Fingernail · 25/01/2020 08:49

It’s not just as but awkward’, but yes I take your point

OP posts:
yomellamoHelly · 25/01/2020 08:51

I had this problem two weeks ago. Did an online renewal with a digital photo. It took 5 days to get the new one back. (Advice was 3 weeks.)
Just make sure you do it today.