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Original poster

Can you travel on an unexpired passport if you applied online to renew it

32 replies

wurlycurly · 30/06/2019 15:37

We’re going on holiday in six days time. My dd’s passport is valid for all of this holiday. She has another flight in late July and her passport is due to expire while she’s away so I’ll need to renew it ahead of this trip.
If I renew it online now will she still be able to travel on the old one for the holiday next week?

OP posts:
Thursday452poh · 30/06/2019 15:40

Renewing it involves posting back your current one... so no. she might need to do the one day service if she is old enough? Or hope it comes back quick enough

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 30/06/2019 15:45

Yeah agree that won’t work, they need the old passport back.

FortunaMajor · 30/06/2019 15:48

It depends on which country she is travelling to. Each country has its own passport validity requirements which can be anything from valid on arrival / valid for length of stay / to up to 6 months validity required.

You can check here
www.traveldoc.aero/

If you do not meet the passport validity requirements then most airlines will not let you fly and they can be fined up to £20K per passenger if you are denied entry on arrival.

meandmyboyz · 30/06/2019 15:49

Also some destinations require 6 months time left on the passport to allow travel xx

Original poster
wurlycurly · 30/06/2019 15:50

Sorry, should have said, the renewal is online so I don’t need to physically send the passport back

OP posts:
TheStakeIsNotThePower · 30/06/2019 15:52

You do need to send it back even applying for a renewal online.

AnthonyCrowley · 30/06/2019 15:52

I did a renewal online a few weeks ago and had to send my old passport in before they would start the process. I had my new passport six days after posting the old one off though so you might have time in between trips?

TheStakeIsNotThePower · 30/06/2019 15:52

Your best bet at this point is to pay for accelerated service as soon as you get back from your holiday.

Nifflerbowtruckle · 30/06/2019 15:53

You still need to send the old passport back if you renew online. They need it to cancel it and won't progress your application without it. My aunties took just less than 2 weeks to process recently from apply and sending the old one off and receiving the new one.

MyDcAreMarvel · 30/06/2019 15:54

Sorry, should have said, the renewal is online so I don’t need to physically send the passport back
Of course you do , they cut them you can’t just keep them intact.

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 30/06/2019 15:54

Yes you still need to post the passport back even for online applications. And they don’t start processing it until they receive it. This just happened to us because I sent them to the wrong address and it delayed the process.

YesItsMeIDontCare · 30/06/2019 15:54

the renewal is online so I don’t need to physically send the passport back

Yes you do. They will not even begin to process the renewal request before they have received the old passport.

dementedpixie · 30/06/2019 15:54

For a renewal you need to send the old passport back before they process the new one. They then send it back with the corner cut off

mysteryfairy · 30/06/2019 15:55

What's the gap between returning and the next flight?

When you renew online it gives you the details of where to send the current passport and a reference to quote. I sent it by special delivery same day for my DD. It was around 2 weeks from sending it in to having a new one.

LuxuryWoman2018 · 30/06/2019 15:57

You’re cutting it fine but I had one back in a few days, you can do everything online now so it’s just done but yes you need to send the old one in.

MyDcAreMarvel · 30/06/2019 15:57

You can renew child passports in 7 days fast track . You will need to do that on return. You can book the appointment now.

Original poster
wurlycurly · 30/06/2019 15:58

Ah thanks! I’ve never renewed online so didn’t get this detail... thought it would be like the online renewal of driving licences. I’ll do a fast track after we return from this holiday

OP posts:
mumwon · 30/06/2019 15:58

www.ukpassportservices.co.uk/peterborough-passport-office/
I think you can go there (go earliest you can dd will have to attend!) & I think you can renew that day - no comment as to why you didn't do this earlier Hmm

OneThreadOnly0101 · 30/06/2019 15:59

You definitely have to send the old passport back for a renewal, even if its online. How old is she? If she's over 16 can she get an appointment for a same day renewal? If a child, then you can pay for 1 week express service I think.

Original poster
wurlycurly · 30/06/2019 16:08

No need for the panic... there’s two clear weeks after we get back. I didn’t do it earlier because the second trip away has only just loomed. There’s no virtue in renewing earlier than you need to now they don’t tack the unexpired period onto the new passport

OP posts:
WorkingItOutAsIGo · 30/06/2019 16:11

Many countries won’t let you in if you don’t have six months validity in your passport. Do check where you are going in case they have this rule.

Seeleyboo · 30/06/2019 16:16

My son sent his renewal back and applied online for the normal service. He had his back in 10 days.

Hecateh · 30/06/2019 16:19

Depends where you are going. Many places specify it has to be valid for a length of time after you get back. eg Turkey it has to be valid for 6 months after return.

If it's within Europe I think you'll be fine but need to check each country travel regs.

titchy · 30/06/2019 16:20

There’s no virtue in renewing earlier than you need to now they don’t tack the unexpired period onto the new passport

Well there is if you want to avoid the £122 charge for fast track renewal which you're now going to have to pay!

Redshoeblueshoe · 30/06/2019 16:23

My friend just renewed hers online it only took a week.