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.

[MiddlesexGirl]

When does DS turn 16 as that seems to be the adult age for passports

[lunar1]

You aren't considering leaving him behind for your mistake are you?

[NoLeafClover]

You're not genuinely planning on going on holiday and leaving your son at home, are you? You couldn't possibly be planning on doing that

[MyPatronusIsACat]

As people have said @blueshoes you need to ask the passport office if you can do the fast track thing. You will pay more, but surely it's better than losing the holiday.

And as for you saying 'he can't come with us can he?' WTAF? Why would you do that to ANYone - let alone your child?! Seriously, you are saying he can't come with you? NO, you should be saying none of you can GO if it wasn't possible to get a new passport for him!

Also, PMSL at people blaming sodding Brexit. This is all on the OP for not checking her son's passport before booking the bloody holiday! AND Turkey is not in the EU.

[GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing]

Exactly, “we were due to leave” not “we are leaving”

You CANNOT go without him. I’m assuming it’s just the three of you, as the idea of leaving one child of a family of several would be even worse

[Cuntness]

You wouldn't really go without your child, would you?!

[Longdistance]

Nothing to do with the airline, everything to do with the government rules the other end. The airlines follow the rules of the countries destination.

[GladAllOver]

Another great Brexit gain!

[SoftSheen]

You can get a passport renewed in 4 hours, it's just expensive and he will need to attend the office in person. Probably need an appointment.

[MadeOfStarStuff]

You can’t leave your child behind because you fucked up.

[LilyTheSavage]

I just got a fast-track appointment at the Peterborough Passport Office. I had the appointment at 12 noon on Thursday and it arrived by post today. Such a slick and well-organised service.
Good luck. It really can be done.

[ballsdeep]

@Wazzzzzzzup

Ds cannot come with us, can he? sad
I think you mistyped and wanted to say "We can't go, can we"...

Pay for express as pps suggested

Agreed.
Op I think it's a bit harsh to even think about leaving your son at home. It's your mistake!

[Quartz2208]

Look into first getting a passport then moving the holiday

You really arent going to consider going without him - this has been signposted as an issue for awhile

[TiredMummyZZZ]

I hope you’re joking, I can’t imagine anyone actually going on holiday and leaving their child! Especially when it was your fault! Your poor Son.

[Thefartingsofaofdenmarkstreet]

You can't get kids fast tracked passports - it's an extra safeguarding measure against abduction etc. You might be able to get a week's one but definitely not same day.

You wouldn't really leave him behind though would you?!

[saltpeter]

She's not going to take him. Looks like she's already decided and just wants to be sad here.

[Fere]

You are 2 weeks away from your holiday. You can get his passport renewed before that from what you are saying, as it will take a week.

[LaurieFairyCake]

No, the OP is leaving THIS FRIDAY

[Gilly12345]

Day off work Monday and go to your local passport office?

[IveGotASongThatllGetOnYNerves]

You aren't answering posters asking if you actually plan to leave your child at home while you go on holiday. I assume that means you are. Who will he be staying with? Won't you feel horrible for doing that to him?

[TheWoleb]

Do the renewal. If his passport arrives in time then you all go. If it doesnt, then you cancel the holiday.

You do not leave your child at home and go off on holiday when it is your mistake that has caused this. That is the height of shit parenting. Your fault. You all stay at home and arrange another holiday.

[Lillibettina]

Have you tried all of the passport offices?

Maybe one that is not your closest will have an appointment. They are in

Belfast
Durham
Glasgow
Liverpool
London
Newport
Peterborough

[DisorganisedDolly]

YABU if you are planning on leaving DS at home because you didn’t renew his passport