Son's passport expiring - family hols in ruins

[blueshoes]

Dh and I were looking forward to our family holiday in Crete, Greece for the October half term. We watched the covid-19/PCR situation closely not realising that my 15 year old son's passport has less than 3 months. Just found out today. This is our first foreign holiday since covid struck.

The government website says that for entry to Greece, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave Greece, or any other Schengen country.

We leave on 30 October and my son's passport expires just short of 3 months on 22 January 2022. It is too late to renew his passport as we are leaving in less than a week.

Ds cannot come with us, can he? We f_ked up.

Anybody recently travelled to Greece with Ryanair with less than 3 months left on their passport? Is it a bad idea to turn up and chance it or bite the bullet now and plan on the basis ds cannot go.

[HollaHolla]

It’s a legal thing. I’d assume you either all go, or all stay at home.
Also. ‘Oh no, it’s our first holiday since Covid!’ Imagine? Most of us haven’t been overseas in almost 2 years. It’s not essential.

[Clymene]

@AliceinBorderland - no but lots of countries view the uk in a less favourable light since Brexit. Even (or perhaps especially) those who would like to join but aren't able.

[Fere]

Did you use this booking system?
www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-urgently/online-premium-service

[TakeMe2Insanity]

Sort it out you all go away. Don’t sort it out you ALL stay. You cannot leave him behind.

[Travis1]

Keep checking the appointments they update frequently during the day

[Upsky]

You say it as though it just happened out of nowhere. It's not like you didn’t have a clue as presumably you arranged his passport however many years ago. Thete has been loads of publicity about the 3 month rule, it's all over tour operator websites.
Are you seriously suggesting you leave your son at home because you messed up his passport. Its the kind of thing he'd remember all his life.
like my parents who couldn't afford to take us all on holiday in 1973 so left me and sis at home

[Ouchiehelpneeded]

The online premium service is the one you want. You can get the passport on the day of your appointment.

Good luck!

[Zampa]

I realised my daughter's passport has expired on a Thursday night. Booked an appointment on the Friday for the following Tuesday and had the passport by the weekend.

There are appointments in Glasgow, Durham and Liverpool on Monday 25/10 so you might just do it.

[GloriaSilver]

I don’t think kids passports can be faster tracked? I hope they can be I just think I read that elsewhere?

[Clymene]

@Ouchiehelpneeded

The online premium service is the one you want. You can get the passport on the day of your appointment.

Good luck!

That's adult passports only. You can't use that service if you're under 16

[DumpedByText]

I renewed my 14 year olds online and it arrived 3 days later. Depends if you want to risk it though.

[Cuddlyrottweiler]

www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-urgently/online-premium-service

It says adult passports only. Sorry . Can you move the holiday?

[Babymamamama]

Is this actually for real?

[MiddlesexGirl]

Use this one - www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-urgently/online-premium-service

(Not this one www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-urgently/1-week-fast-track-service)

[blueshoes]

Thanks for sign-posting to the online premium service. Unfortunately that only applies for renewal of adult passports, not child passports.

One week fast track seems to be our only option. But even one week takes too long as we are leaving on Friday.

[Boysnme]

This happened to someone I know. Had an appointment on the Monday and got their passport by the Friday. This was just last week.

Don’t leave him behind - thats really shitty

[Cuddlyrottweiler]

If you can't move the holiday you need to do the fastest renewal you can, and cross every part of your body and pray to God and Satan.

[Cuddlyrottweiler]

Absolutely no way can you go on holiday and leave him. Its not his mistake it's yours.

[Wannakisstheteacher]

I’m not the only one who’s thinking WTF right? I would never, and I really mean never, leave my 15 year old child behind because I forgot to renew his passport. It really says a huge amount that this was your immediate solution.

[2lsinllama]

You say leave him like it’s an actual option? It’s cruel, as it’s your mistake but I presume you mean leave him at home with the father you are no longer married to - not dump him with grandparents or friends?!
Honestly I don’t know how you can ever consider it an option.

[Wazzzzzzzup]

But even one week takes too long as we are leaving on Friday.
We were supposed to leave on Friday

[rubyslippers]

You aren’t seriously thinking of leaving your son behind because of your mistake are you?
I’ve read the thread and you don’t seem to be answering that
That would be an horrendous thing to do
And the passport dates thing has been in the news for months and months

[sparepantsandtoothbrush]

As you're ignoring the questions about you leaning him behind I'm assuming that's your plan? I really hope I'm wrong. I have a 14 and 16 year old and I know there's no way on Earth I'd do that to them. If I did then I'd expect them to never forgive me for it

[lockdownalli]

I would go for the fastest renewal option and pray.

No way would I go on holiday without him. It's your fuck up so it would be dreadful to do that.

Were you joking?

[Screwcorona]

Personally if you cant get the fast track passport I would ALL go, risk it at immigration and ALL come home if he gets refused, or ALL not go. Please tell us you're not going to go without him?