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Original poster

Passport expiry on child passport - confused by EU issue

35 replies

PlumpCushion · 21/07/2021 18:59

I happened to see a worrying post on trip advisor about passport validity.

Can anyone explain why DD’s passport is only valid for entry to Greece until September 2021 despite the expiry date being next Aug?

Is it a leaving EU issue? Or a being a young adult on a child’s passport issue?

And finally, does anyone know if she can use her current passport while applying online for first adult one?

TIA

OP posts:
UberMullet · 21/07/2021 19:05

Did you renew it early? They used to add months if you did this, but those months are no longer valid.

dementedpixie · 21/07/2021 19:10

Look at the valid from date
It's valid for 5 years from that date despite what the expiry date says. In the past extra months could be added on if you renewed early making it valid for more than 5 years. You then need 6 months remaining within the 5 years expiry to be able to go to many other countries

dementedpixie · 21/07/2021 19:12

The old passport will need to be sent to the passport office as part of the renewal process. Even though she's changing to an adult passport it's still done as a renewal as she has an existing passport

Original poster
PlumpCushion · 21/07/2021 21:02

Thanks so much! It definitely looks as if she’s lost those extra months so your explanations make sense.

I just can’t see on the website which section applies to her though. She’s not a ‘child’ so child renewal section surely doesn’t apply-and the ‘first adult’ passport section seems be only for those who’ve never had a passport…

OP posts:
TheTeenageYears · 21/07/2021 21:50

I don't understand why a 5 year passport issued to someone under 16 with additional months is also subject to the same rules meaning the additional months are no longer valid in the EU. The only information I can find is that a passport can't be valid for more than 10 years but can anyone find where it states a 5 year passport is subject to the same rule? (other than using the validity tracker which will discount the extra months).

dementedpixie · 21/07/2021 21:51

Adult renewal maybe

churchroad · 22/07/2021 01:13

If you go onto the passport gov website you can fill out the passport details and it will tell you the validity. When we used to renew, the unexpired months were added on and when we were in the EU the other members honoured the practice. Now we’ve left they no longer honour it. Another Brexit bonus!

BertieBotts · 22/07/2021 01:20

@TheTeenageYears

I don't understand why a 5 year passport issued to someone under 16 with additional months is also subject to the same rules meaning the additional months are no longer valid in the EU. The only information I can find is that a passport can't be valid for more than 10 years but can anyone find where it states a 5 year passport is subject to the same rule? (other than using the validity tracker which will discount the extra months).
Yes, this. The extra months should in theory be valid when applied to a 5 year passport because they haven't exceeded the full 10 year validity period.

Maybe try contacting the British embassy or consulate (sorry I never know the difference) in Greece and see what they say? An online calculator could be wrong.

BertieBotts · 22/07/2021 01:21

They stopped honouring the extra months before brexit IIRC.

I think you want the adult renewal option BTW.

Original poster
PlumpCushion · 22/07/2021 08:15

That’s so useful. Thanks.

Does anyone know for sure if you have to send the current passport along with the application? I can’t find this information anywhere online.

OP posts:
Applesandpears23 · 22/07/2021 08:18

You definitely get asked to post them the old one. You eventually get it back with the corner cut off around the time you get the new one.

dementedpixie · 22/07/2021 08:18

They will give you an address to send the old passport to as part of the application. When I did 3 renewals I had to send them to 3 different places

Original poster
PlumpCushion · 22/07/2021 08:35

Hmmm so you have to send in a passport that is arguably still ‘valid’ depending on how the airline / passport control interpret the child passport validity issue in the day, thereby going without a passport for potentially several months amid pandemic bureaucratic chaos ( if DVLA fiasco is anything to go by!)

Sounds perfect!

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 22/07/2021 08:39

I assume they cancel the existing passport when you do the application. They won't send the new passport until they receive the old one

Costacoffeeplease · 22/07/2021 08:52

Yes of course you send an old passport off when renewing, that has always been the case

Original poster
PlumpCushion · 22/07/2021 09:06

Yes Costa that may be true…but normally we’re not in a state of bureaucratic chaos and normally the validity doesn’t get slashed overnight due to Brexit, and normally you can book an in person appointment for reasons that aren’t life and death! Gah!

OP posts:
PeonyTime · 22/07/2021 09:07

Yes, you send the old passport back - and when it us returned, it has the corner cut off to make it obvious it is no longer current.
DS's took just over week to arrive last month, despite the 10 week warning on the website. I believe you need an adults passport renewal.

Costacoffeeplease · 22/07/2021 09:40

Well brexit has happened and this consequence was widely publicised.
I don’t see why the pandemic should mean we no longer follow the rules on renewing passports Confused

BertieBotts · 22/07/2021 10:19

Yes you send it back. It only takes about 3 weeks, you won't need the passport in that time unless you've been really disorganised!

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 22/07/2021 10:25

We have recently done this for DD-just turned 17. Had to fill the whole thing in and get signed photos as obviously she looks very different from when she was 12! Send the old passport back with application-so don’t renew yet if you need it this summer. We did check and send through the post office. Came back within 3 weeks-their system is NOTHING like the DVLA chaos where they are leaving piles of unopened mail in sacks. It has taken over 5 months to get her provisional licence through🤦‍♀️

dementedpixie · 22/07/2021 11:26

I wouldn't have got signed photos for a 5 year age difference and didn't for my dd or ds. Also with the online application you can take a photo with your phone as part of the application process.

It's cheaper to do it online and I'd never pay for check and send either! Old Passport then gets posted off to the address they give you.

LoveAGoodToddlerTantrum · 22/07/2021 14:22

Just wanted to thank you for saving my holiday. I'm supposed to be flying out in a month and my passport expires 8 months before it's expiration date (I now discover because of you) so have booked in for a very expensive quick renewal. I can't thank you enough.

Original poster
PlumpCushion · 22/07/2021 16:20

@LoveAGoodToddlerTantrum, that was a lucky escape! So pleased to hear that this thread has been helpful ☺️

OP posts:
thinkfast · 23/07/2021 00:03

Just thanking OP for saving our holiday too. Had a frantic afternoon trying to book an urgent appointment for DS' renewal. Eventually managed to get one for Saturday morning.

Original poster
PlumpCushion · 23/07/2021 08:45

@thinkfast, so very pleased to hear that! X

OP posts:
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