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Original poster

Passport application

25 replies

Poetryinaction · 30/04/2020 17:10

My son's passport ran out last year. We were hoping to go abroad in the Summer holidays (but probably won't now) and I'd been meaning to apply for one.
In view of lockdown and Brexit, would you apply now or wait?
Thanks

OP posts:
Megan2018 · 30/04/2020 17:12

Wait. The longer you leave it the longer it is valid for

GloriaMaximus · 30/04/2020 17:12

I would purely because when restrictions are lifted their will be an influx and timings will be increased. Maybe.

Reginabambina · 30/04/2020 17:13

Don’t you feel nervous not having a valid passport? I don’t like the feeling of being stuck in a country.

Original poster
Poetryinaction · 30/04/2020 17:13

That's what I was thinking. Actually the first 2 responses are both what I was thinking, though contradictory. Hence the thread! Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Poetryinaction · 30/04/2020 17:14

I don't think he feels nervous about it. He's 6!

OP posts:
mencken · 30/04/2020 17:16

if you don't need it please leave it. That's the instruction on the passport office site. They are short-staffed (like everyone).

Misspretty · 30/04/2020 17:17

If it’s been expired since last year I would just leave it .
I’d renewed ours just before lockdown and could really be doing with the £150 just now

Megan2018 · 30/04/2020 17:18

I let mine expire for 2 years, didn’t bother me. As long as you allow plenty of time to renew it I can’t see the issue.

My DH keeps his valid as MIL lives abroad and he could have to visit urgently. But if it is just for holidays they are unlikely to be last minute.

Roselilly36 · 30/04/2020 17:20

Overseas travel is highly unlikely for some time, children’s passports are valid for 5 years, so I would wait.

Original poster
Poetryinaction · 30/04/2020 17:25

Thanks all. Makes sense.

OP posts:
juicy0 · 30/04/2020 17:25

I had three months left on mine but decided to renew it two weeks ago. I applied online and the new one arrived within 10 days despite warnings that the system wasn't working as quickly as it normally does. I think there will definitely be an influx of applications after lockdown hence my decision

Original poster
Poetryinaction · 30/04/2020 17:31

Hmmm ok, thanks.

OP posts:
Reginabambina · 30/04/2020 17:34

Well no, obviously he doesn’t but don’t you? I always ensure we’ve all got valid passports and renew well before the expiration in case we need to go somewhere suddenly.

Original poster
Poetryinaction · 30/04/2020 17:39

We wouldn't need to leave the country suddenly. We might like to, which is why I'm considering this now. But last year I knew we couldn't afford to, which is why I let it expire.

OP posts:
Stronger76 · 30/04/2020 17:56

The longer you leave it the longer it is valid for

No, they're valid for exactly the same time (5/10 yearsunless you're renewing them super early when they might extend the validity). Renewing it now means it will be valid from when it gets issued.

I'd be tempted to do it now so that should you forget to renew in 5 years you've still got a few months before the summer holidays to get a replacement

areallthenamesusedup · 30/04/2020 18:25

I'd apply now. There may be a mad rush soon. Unless you are v short of money.....you are unlikely to be able to use it for months.

Original poster
Poetryinaction · 30/04/2020 19:02

Thanks again

OP posts:
Mehmehmeh19 · 30/04/2020 19:15

I applied and got mine with a name change within 4 days I think they'll be a rush

postitnot · 30/04/2020 20:18

I just applied for my daughter's...we have flights booked and while I'm 95% sure we won't be going anywhere I don't want Ryanair to keep my money because she couldn't fly!

orlarose · 30/04/2020 20:19

I'v applies for DC1 renewal and name change on mine, it's been the advertised 3 weeks and got a text saying it'll be longer. I do understand the pp comment of it'll be valid longer ie. now it will be valid 2020-2030 whereas if I wait it'll be 2021-2031 (years when we might actually be able to travel). But I did think it was important to have valid passports.

PotteringAlong · 30/04/2020 20:20

As a contrast, I applied for my DS’s replacement at the beginning of March. Got as far as the text saying it would be with me in a few days and then nothing until a text today saying “it’s really really slow, don’t contact us”

DurhamDurham · 30/04/2020 20:22

My husband works in that department and the passport applications are still coming in a steady stream, there wasn't much off a drop off as it's the type of thing people get around to doing when they're at home and have time.There have been a lot of applications not because people are travelling but because they need them for ID purposes to claim UC etc.

mencken · 01/05/2020 17:53

....not helped because the DVLA don't have a similar method of submitting photos online. You have to go to a post office to get them to take the photo, which is unnecessary contact for all concerned.

mencken · 01/05/2020 17:53

(sorry, pressed post too soon)....and there's no sign of extension on expiring photocards. It is a £1000 fine if caught so...need a passport to get a new driving licence.

hidingmystatus · 01/05/2020 17:59

I renewed my daughter's UK passport on-line (from child to adult) and it came through within 10 days, under lockdown. The largest problem was getting an acceptable photo and then finding an open post office to send the old passport. No issues, and though they warned me it might take longer, actually it was as efficient as it's ever been.

(side note, as soon as embassies open we need it for a visa application, so it couldn't be delayed)

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