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AIBU?

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Original poster

Help with a passport crises

102 replies

SettlerofCatan · 09/03/2022 19:33

We are going to Austria skiing on Sunday and our son, who’s at Uni just texted to say his passport ran out in December. We are checking all the passport offices to see if there is an last minute appointment before Sunday. If he turns up in person without an appointment is there any chance they will help him… ?I know I ABU posting this but I am soo stressed.

OP posts:
ApolloandDaphne · 09/03/2022 20:16

I think he is not going with you. He may get one early next week if you can get an appointment soon but he won't be able to just turn up without an appointment. I would just assume he is not coming with you.

OnTopOfThePiano · 09/03/2022 20:16

Keep checking the appointments do come up

Kitkat151 · 09/03/2022 20:33

He will not be seen without an appointment

singlepringlenotbychoice · 09/03/2022 20:34

He won't be seen without an appointment however keep checking, daily, for appointments some do come up but might be cutting it very very fine. I'd possibly be making plans for him not being able to come

Original poster
SettlerofCatan · 09/03/2022 21:24

I would like to thank all of you for your responses… we have told him to turn up without an appointment and even if it doesn’t work the thought of him being outside in the cold all day makes me v. Slightly happier as I am really angry with him… this is his 18 th birthday present .. the rest of us don’t like skiing much!

OP posts:
MurmuratingStarling · 09/03/2022 21:40

@SettlerofCatan

He's only 18, so you would have got his passport for him when he had one last. Did you have no idea whatsoever that his passport was due for renewal in late 2021?

I never 'get' these threads where people book holidays abroad, pay in full, then get to a few days before the holiday, then discover a family member - usually one of their CHILDREN - has only got 5 hours left on their passport! Or it ran out last week! Oddly, their OWN passport is always up to date. Wink

Of course he won't be seen without an appointment. It's too late now. You either all miss the trip, or you go without him. The latter is pretty cruel though.

TinaYouFatLard · 09/03/2022 21:41

I think you all need to get used to the idea that he isn’t going.

CalamitySpain · 09/03/2022 21:44

Are you checking every passport office? Not just the nearest one.

I can't imagine them seeing him without an appointment.

Tiredcatmum · 09/03/2022 21:45

To be honest at 18 it’s your responsibility.

TheHoptimist · 09/03/2022 21:48

Belfast are usually best for slots

Is he trying the entire country?

TheHoptimist · 09/03/2022 21:49

Plus he can fly out and join you midweek- dont cancel (you may need to book him a return as if you miss the outbound the return is often cancelled)

TheHoptimist · 09/03/2022 21:52

is he eligible of an appointment- it says renewing an adult passport?

SparklingLime · 09/03/2022 21:53

Poor lad. Think it was down to you to ask him to check his passport (or just work it out yourself) when you booked. He’s only 18!

PeakyBlender · 09/03/2022 21:58

He won't be seen without an appointment. Don't waste the time doing that, keep trying the whole country for appointments and he can get a train to wherever has one

Inkyblue123 · 09/03/2022 22:02

He is 18. An adult. Living in a different city. He is old enough to get married and have kids. I just don’t understand why anybody believes he needs his mother to check his passport! Let him sort it out. He can fly out later in the week. It will be the last time he lets his passport expire. I know it’s frustrating, but it’s a valuable lesson. My sister did the same thing many years ago and it didn’t kill her /she just lost a couple of days holiday.

BurntO · 09/03/2022 22:03

I think this is on you tbh…keep checking for an appointment though

pajdl · 09/03/2022 22:06

He's at uni at 17?

MurmuratingStarling · 09/03/2022 22:08

@Inkyblue123

He is 18. An adult. Living in a different city. He is old enough to get married and have kids. I just don’t understand why anybody believes he needs his mother to check his passport! Let him sort it out. He can fly out later in the week. It will be the last time he lets his passport expire. I know it’s frustrating, but it’s a valuable lesson. My sister did the same thing many years ago and it didn’t kill her /she just lost a couple of days holiday.
Are you joking? Confused WTF?
RandomMess · 09/03/2022 22:10

Going to uni at 17 is pretty common in Scotland/for the Scots.

FelicityPike · 09/03/2022 22:14

He won’t get near the passport office without an appointment. Their security is mega tight.
Check every passport office for appointments and cancellations.

Original poster
SettlerofCatan · 09/03/2022 22:19

Sorry to confuse everybody.. the trip was a present for his 18th but with COVID this has been the first time we have been able to get everyone together he’s actually 20 soon! And we had loads of chats about checking passports as I had to get mine renewed last month and we panicked about that when it was deliver next door and they kept it for 10 days whilst we worried about where it was!

OP posts:
superram · 09/03/2022 22:20

I didn’t think even with an appointment they did it on the day? Especially as it will be his first adult passport. I’m assuming you can cancel (most holidays are cancellable due to covid-no?

Original poster
SettlerofCatan · 09/03/2022 22:26

I know drip feeding is v. frowned on… It was his 18th present but with COVID we haven’t been able to go until now.. he’s 20 in a couple of months.. and we had lots of conversations about checking passports once we decided to go after New Year as my passport was out of date and we had to get a new one.. which went to the neighbours and they didn’t tell us!

OP posts:
Original poster
SettlerofCatan · 09/03/2022 22:27

Sorry didn’t think it had posted!

OP posts:
godmum56 · 09/03/2022 22:27

I think the only reason you can get an instant passport is under extraordinary circumstances and I don't think that holidays count. I am thinking he needs to take the lesson and move on.