To remind you to get your passport applications done now!

[Bluetinkerbell]

Applied for DD3's first passport last week, it arrived yesterday! So turn around of 1 week instead of the predicted 3 weeks!

So, everyone who needs passports done, do it now to avoid stress in the summer! :)

[KentuckyFriedChildren]

I don't think you need the old passport number to apply for a new passport- you just have to fill in the sections on having a lost or stolen passport I think?

[Schooldidi]

Ok, so my passport expired 5 years ago and I have now lost said passport. How do I do a renewal if I don't know my passport number etc from the last one? Not that we're likely to be going abroad any time soon, but it's always useful for ID purposes.

[Wonderland121]

Thank you I have 2 to get got the forms & have put it off going to make it top of my list this week.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Annoyingly my driving licence ran out last year and my passport this year so couldn't do the easy driving licence thing. You can't do it the other way round so I've got the whole rigmarole of getting photos done again now.

[TomArchersSausage]

NotaDragon Just noticed your earlier reply to me about applying online. Thanks SO much for telling me about that! I had no idea you could do an online renewal .

We did all three this evening really easily. Thank god I don't have to fill in three forms. I've been putting it off for ages

[Poledra]

Thanks for the tip, Bluey, but sadly both my driving licence and passport are running out this month, so are both 10 years old - bah!

And thank you for the compliment on my name

[BlueyDragon]

Poledra (love the name btw), if your passport is less than 5 years old you can renew your driving licence online without needing a new photo. You have to fill in lots of detail such as passport and NI numbers but other than that it's pretty simple - it's on the Direct Gov site.

[BeyondTheLimitsOfAcceptability]

Mine was sent Friday. that sounds super organsied, but its actually getting v close to me going on holiday and I had to change my name and actually left it later than I planned too...
Friend of mine sent hers last Monday and got it yesterday

DS2s was done in August last year (first one) and still got it in under two weeks. I wonder if less people are going abroad and the passport offices are quiet?

Although BIL applied for his first UK passport last year (not from UK) and it took NINE MONTHS!!!

[NotADragonOfSoup]

The only issue I've had with the online form is that it has a weird fault processing our surname. Switches it with another word for the "check your details" page but prints it correctly.

[CuthbertDibble]

Word of warning, filling it in online is not always a good idea. I did ours and they weren't accepted at the Post Office because some of the printing wasn't within the boxes!

Lady at the PO said it happens a lot.

[HowVeryCouncilHouse]

Bram do it this week you'll have it in plenty of time for April and the extra months will be added on.

[milkymocha]

My renewal took 1 week exactly but my childrens first passports took 4 weeks.

Remember to make a note of all application numbers. You will not be able to track your passports without these!

[NotADragonOfSoup]

Do you know how difficult it is to get a 14yo into a photo booth?

Take the photo yourself and printer it via Passpic or similar.

[NotADragonOfSoup]

Remember that you can renew them before they expire. The new passport expired 10 (or 5) years after the old one so you don't lose any time. I think you can do it up to 6 months in advance and not lose any time.


TomArchersSausage fill the form in online. Then it is printed and sent to you - very little opportunity for your pen to slip :)

[akaemmafrost]

5 days, dd's took. I did do check and send at the post office but still thought that was a very speedy turnaround indeed.

[BartletForTeamGB]

The only use of the short birth certificate is to apply for child benefit. That's why you get that one for free.

[HowVeryCouncilHouse]

Go to Max Spielman they take the photo for you. They are fantastic, I'll never use a photo booth again.

[LynetteScavo]

Do you know how difficult it is to get a 14yo into a photo booth? Do you? Do you?

[Bluetinkerbell]

Evening bump

[diddl]

What is the point of the "short" birth cert-anyone know?

It seems that a long one is always required when applying for anything!

[TomArchersSausage]

Good point. I have the forms but I have to renew 3 dc's passports and I HATE filling in those forms and keep putting it all off. The minute I know I'm not supposed to write outside a little box my pen slips and I always do. Usually just on the last bit.

[Dryjuice25]

That's me reminded thanxb

[WhoPaintedTheLion]

Put applications for my DD's passports in today. Will recieve them tomorrow.

[EllenParsons]

I renewed mine on the one day service at the centre in Victoria recently. Was really efficient and not much more expensive than a normal passport renewal as far as I remember. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who needs to be sure their passport is done quickly!

[Bramshott]

Thanks Zombie! I'm going to stop panicking and do it between May and the end of July. There's loads of time, I'm just a control freak!