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Original poster

To think we've messed up with passport and should forget it?

121 replies

WordsAndWorlds · 17/03/2019 15:12

Meant to be going away 2nd week of Easter.

Discovered today that just one of the DCs passport runs out in June, so not 6 months on it.

DH still reckons we can get it through on time...I'm thinking with the panic over Brexit, the wait for passports atm is going to be insane?

Do we frantically try or just accept that we've messed this one up and try to book something cheap and cheerful in the UK fast before those are all booked up too and we end up with nothing??? Nightmare.

OP posts:
curlyLJ · 17/03/2019 16:19

I've just renewed my daughter's passport. Sent it off a week ago and got a text yesterday to say it's on it's way back.

Do the application online to make it easier but as it's for a child you'll have to print it yourself, sign it and get phots countersigned.
Send it tomorrow. You'll have it back waaaaay before you travel.

DivisionBelles · 17/03/2019 16:19

We did DS's renewal in September. Back within a week, without using fast track. They are super quick these days and you can track it through the system.

Ribbonsonabox · 17/03/2019 16:20

Just did mine because it didnt have 6 months on and it came back in a week!

caughtinanet · 17/03/2019 16:20

Can child's renewals be done online? DH is convinced they can't because they have to be countersigned?

The two aren't mutually exclusive, you apply online and send a form for the signature - cheaper than doing it all on paper

Ribbonsonabox · 17/03/2019 16:20

And it wasnt fast track either just did it online.

onedayallthiswillbeyours · 17/03/2019 16:23

I have just done 2 child renewals online in the past week and it is now fabulously easy:
DC1 age 14, no countersignature of photo required, took and uploaded a photo from my phone, then posted old passport off to the address given.

DC2 age 11, required photo verification as under 12. This is now also done online! So I took a photo on my phone, uploaded it, asked a "professional" friend if they would be ok to do the verification and they agreed, so I put their email address on the online application. They were sent an email from the passport office and asked some questions to confirm photo as named DC. Once this was done (literally took them a few minutes), Passport office text me to say they had received all the necessary information and were processing the application and i then posted back the old passport. Easy peasy!

ChicCroissant · 17/03/2019 16:24

americandream you didn't renew a child's passport then! They can't be done for a 10 year period!

OP, just get online and start the process. You seem to be stalling for no good reason, you could have done it by now, honestly!

jellybellydancer · 17/03/2019 16:26

I renewed my DS’s online. Applied on Thursday with a digital photo. Received it within 10 days. ‘Counter signing’ was done online with a weblink to a nominated person

americandream · 17/03/2019 16:26

There is nothing 'anal' about knowing when you and your childrens passports are due to expire! And it doesn't make anyone perfect to know it.

This is basic information that people should know.

And as for booking a holiday abroad without checking how long the passports have left on them?! Confused If you think THAT is OK/normal, I wonder how you get through life quite honestly..

MinesaPinot · 17/03/2019 16:27

Me and DH have just renewed ours. We got our digital photos done at Snappy Snaps, uploaded the code and applied online. A couple of days after we applied they were saying that so many people had rushed to apply/renew that the Passport Office website had crashed, so we envisaged a long delay. We weren't too concerned as we don't need them until June, but as it goes it took about a week start to finish.

americandream · 17/03/2019 16:28

americandream you didn't renew a child's passport then! They can't be done for a 10 year period!

Umm yes, when I had kids under 16. Of course I did! Confused

And shocker I knew when they were due for renewal too.

TwoleftUggs · 17/03/2019 16:28

I renewed DC passport last Friday. Used the PO check and send option, used max spielman for the photos as they check them to ensure they’ll pass, and had the new passport delivered yesterday. 8 days from start to finish. You’ll be fine.

americandream · 17/03/2019 16:29

The passports I am on about (that we got in 2013 and are due for renewal in 2023) are mine and DH's.

We have had no kids at home for several years as they're grown!

AlunWynsKnee · 17/03/2019 16:32

When I did mine on line we took a photo with a phone and uploaded it. Didn't need to go to a photographer. Read the requirements and you should be fine.

caughtinanet · 17/03/2019 16:33

Not a UK passport americandream then, under 16s only get 5 year passports

SoupDragon · 17/03/2019 16:41

And as for booking a holiday abroad without checking how long the passports have left on them?!

Whilst being smug and superior you seem to have missed the point that normally the OP's child's passport would have been fine so they would not have needed to check the date. It is only in the case of a no-deal Brexit that it would be a problem.

I know what years our passports expire in (or rather how old the children will be!) but I do not know which month.

dementedpixie · 17/03/2019 16:47

I started 3 online applications last Sunday using uploaded photos - 2 adult, 1 child. They don't complete the application until they receive the old passports so you need to post them too - mine were sent off on the Monday of last week. All 3 went to different passport offices.

I have had a notification that my photo is ok and the new passport will be issued. The other old passports have been received now and I'm waiting for notifications that the other photos are ok too.

Normandy144 · 17/03/2019 16:47

You're over thinking this. Yes, the 'official' advice is 3 weeks,however i recently did my daughter's via the post office check and send service and it was quicker than that. Looking back at the texts they sent me, the time line was this: submitted application 19 feb, text message on 21 feb to confirm receipt and that unless they contacted me for more information I'd get it no later than 14 March. Then got a text on 26 Feb to say it would be with me in a few working days. It was delivered on 28th Feb. So all in all, just over a week. Assuming you're not travelling until the 2nd week of the Easter holidays (15th April where i am) you have 4 weeks to get it done. Send it tomorrow!

Skittlesss · 17/03/2019 16:48

We got our children’s first passports back in less than 5 days. Renewal should be quicker.

WinkysTeatowel · 17/03/2019 16:49

They have just changed to process, no need for a physical photo to be countersigned, you upload online and give an email address for your validation person, they confirm your details and that's that. I've just done two, applied Thursday before last and they are both approved and on their way back to us.

Tomtontom · 17/03/2019 16:51

@excitedtobehere TM has said it's either agree a deal or Brexit won't happen. There is not going to be a no deal.

No, she has not said that. If a deal is not agreed and the EU do not allow an extension, then no deal would be the default position in law.

BertieBotts · 17/03/2019 16:53

Yes you can do it online, you just have to do the countersignatory part by post.

goldpendant · 17/03/2019 16:55

Get an appointment to visit your local passport office. Ours arrived 3 days later

gambaspilpil · 17/03/2019 16:57

I didnt need an email counter signatory .... might be because it was a renewal

dementedpixie · 17/03/2019 17:00

www.gov.uk/get-a-child-passport/renew-a-child-passport countersignstory part is now done by email - for children under the age of 12

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