Child passport renewal

[daisybrown37]

I was wondering if anyone knows the answer to this.

My son is 11, 12 in August. His UK passport expires in June.

if the child is over 12, you don’t need it to be countersigned - can we wait until after his birthday to renew and then not have to get someone to verify his identity? His passport would have expired, but I think you have a number of years to renew it? If so, that would be easier!

He has a Irish one we are using for our holiday next month and no other trips planned, so waiting is fine.

Thank you in advance.

Yes I'd do that as long as he can still be recognised from the old photo

My DD 15 had changed quite a bit from her photo so it still had to be verified by someone but if you don't need it it's worth a go as it might squeak through.

Good point.

Thank you both.