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Original poster

DS14 passport renewal quandary

42 replies

EmmaStone · 01/02/2022 20:02

DS14 has several trips booked this year, and his passport is up for renewal at the end of October. He will be away in April, then away again early July for 7-10 days (France), then another 7-10 day trip to France at the end of August. I think he needs at least 3 months on his passport to enter France, which presents an issue for the August trip. I'm concerned there won't be enough time between the two French trips to risk a renewal (will be about 1 month in between the 2).

Which leaves trying for a renewal between returning from his trip in April, and the next trip early July (giving 2 and a bit clear months). But is this too far in advance (effectively he'll lose 4-5 months of passport time as well, since you can't add on anymore)?

OP posts:

gogohm · 01/02/2022 20:08

April is your best option, on the up side this is his last child 5 year passport at least

MaizeAmaze · 01/02/2022 20:13

Ys, it needs renewing before the August trip (needs to be valid 90 days at departure, i think). Depending on the exact dates, it may need renewing for the July trip. But whatever the dates, one month isn't enough to get it renewed, unless you pay for a fast rurn around - which I think it 7 days for kids.
I'd renewal it on return from the April trip.
The 6 month validity for some countries means a passport only really has a 4.5/9.5 year life anyway.

tanstaafl · 01/02/2022 20:14

You’re correct about the three months remaining, though despite that being the official rule , some travel companies may tell you it’s 6 months.
He doesn’t want to be trying to argue the point at the airport check-in before he leaves.

On another passport thread someone suggested you didn’t have to send your existing passport in only the number of the passport.
If that’s true , get the application in ASAP ?
(Unless they cancel the existing one when they receive the application for the new one)

badalmond · 01/02/2022 20:18

Honestly, I'd do it now. Current processing tiles are longer than usual and May/June is peak time for passport applications so not likely to be quicker than now. You lose a few extra months validity, but you have peace of mind. A lot of countries won't allow entry with less than six months validity anyway so you always have to renew well before expiry if you travel regularly.

Kitkat151 · 01/02/2022 20:25

Several airlines ask for 6 months regardless ..... do it asap

CJay81 · 01/02/2022 20:27

I'd do it now asap. I've just sent my 2 kids passports off for renewal via the post office and they told it's taking 6 weeks atm. One of them isn't out of date till August, but we are going away in May, so wont have enough time left on it and won't want to leave it too close to the time.

Justkeeppedaling · 01/02/2022 20:34

Renew it now.

Starlightstarbright1 · 01/02/2022 20:40

@tanstaafl

You’re correct about the three months remaining, though despite that being the official rule , some travel companies may tell you it’s 6 months. He doesn’t want to be trying to argue the point at the airport check-in before he leaves.

I have just applied to have my son's renewed online . I have had to send my son's passport.

Original poster

EmmaStone · 01/02/2022 20:41

Now?!? Crikey, that seems really early - nearly a year in advance??

I think I'll do it as soon as we're back from the April trip...

Thanks for the insight. We're likely to be driving to France rather than flying, so will check what the Tunnel says re length of time left on the passport...

OP posts:

Muffinbutton · 01/02/2022 20:42

I don't know if it's the same for children, but my husband just renewed his using the normal service. They said current time was 4 weeks, he got the new one in about 2 and half weeks.
Online application was quick and easy, and had to send back his old one before they processed the new.

feelsobadfeltsogood · 01/02/2022 20:44

Just do It now then it's sorted no probs

Scbchl · 01/02/2022 20:48

Its 6 months now. When we came back from our holiday into this country in October passport control said my daughter wouldn't be able to fly after January and hers is until July. She said renew ASAP.

FixTheBone · 01/02/2022 20:48

Do it now.
£49 for 5 years works out at about 3p per day wasted for every day you've renewed earlier than necessary.

Is it really worth worrying about?

cheekychaplin · 01/02/2022 20:51

Doing it now seems the most sensible option

dementedpixie · 01/02/2022 20:52

@Scbchl

Its 6 months now. When we came back from our holiday into this country in October passport control said my daughter wouldn't be able to fly after January and hers is until July. She said renew ASAP.

It's 3 months, not 6

dementedpixie · 01/02/2022 20:53

I'd do it in April

CeeceeBloomingdale · 01/02/2022 20:53

I’d do it now. I work in travel and spend at lot of time consoling people who have cancelled their holidays as their passport didn’t arrive in time. I always renew ours in January as it’s the quickest time to do it. Normally they are back in about 4 days at this time of year, just received DDs yesterday which took 3 weeks. As travel is opening up and many people are looking to travel this year after missing a couple of years I predict the passport offices will be busier than usual, whilst still being restricted by working from home etc. I read recently to allow 10 weeks but even that is tight for an April renewal. We had to send in DDs old passport before they would action the renewal in answer to a PP who thought you could just send the number.

dementedpixie · 01/02/2022 20:56

@tanstaafl

You’re correct about the three months remaining, though despite that being the official rule , some travel companies may tell you it’s 6 months. He doesn’t want to be trying to argue the point at the airport check-in before he leaves.

It's the parent of the child that puts their passport number on the application. For a renewal the old passport needs to be sent back before they issue the new one

ArnoldBee · 01/02/2022 20:57

We've just done a child renewal and it took a week.

LactoseTheIntolerant · 01/02/2022 21:02

I've recently renewed my ds passport via the fast track scheme, was done within a week, so worth it for us as the waiting time was 6 weeks otherwise.

lovingtheheat · 01/02/2022 21:04

I wouldn't worry about losing the extra months as post brexit a passport now needs to have been valid from within last 10 years (ie) extra years will not count.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 01/02/2022 21:05

Do it now, turn around times will slow down as restrictions lift and summer gets closer.

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 01/02/2022 21:08

I'd do it now. DH's took 4 working days! Turnaround times will get longer when travel opens up.

dementedpixie · 01/02/2022 21:11

@lovingtheheat

I wouldn't worry about losing the extra months as post brexit a passport now needs to have been valid from within last 10 years (ie) extra years will not count.

A child passport is only 5 years so it won't be over the 10 year limit

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 01/02/2022 21:16

I'd do it in April. There's a website called passport waiting time uk that gives average times... its about two weeks at the moment. The passport website is very pessimistic... it said 10 weeks when we did our renewals in November, they came in under four.

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