Help! When should renew my passport?!

[kiwi17]

So I'm getting myself all confused and hoping someone can help. We haven't got any holidays booked although there is a small chance we could go away in October so I am aware of the delays to get passports but it isn't a massive time issue right now. However, my passport was issued in 2013 as it was a name change when I got married and I got a 10 year 9 month one because they added the extra time I had left when they were still doing that. I know that there is now a rule to do with passports not being allowed to have been issued more than 10 years ago and the 3 month rule as well so I'm just going round in circles trying to work out when I should renew- now so that I have plenty of time and no stress, or in a few months?! It expires August 2024 but I know I wouldn't be able to use it up to that point... I have read the gov advice but still struggling to work it out! Thanks for any help!

I would renew now. There doesn't appear to be a benefit in waiting so get the renewal done online (think that's generally quicker) and save the stress nearer the time.

What it the exact date of issue?

Thanks! I think that's what I'm leaning towards but then have that nagging feeling of am I wasting money on the old one?! Bit daft really 😂

17 August 2013

So you have till May next year yo use it. Will be fine in October

Ive just re-newed mine and it took about 4 weeks.

You can use an August 2013 passport to travel in Europe until May 2023.

@trevthecat that's good to know - think that's what I was getting all confused about - how long I could keep using it for!

Good to know about the 4 week turnaround time- I know a lot of people have been struggling.

For travel in Europe you couldn't use it to fly after 17August 2023 so it will be fine to use in October this year

Think the 3 month issue isn't tied in with the 10 year bit I.e. you look at issue date for flying out (passport must be issued within 10 years on the day you travel) and then expiry date for the "valid for 3 months' after your leaving date.

Think you're right- the wording was making me all confused! Thanks for all the replies I feel a bit clearer now 😊

@dementedpixie, a friend I'm due to travel to Europe with in 4 weeks time is in just this situation - she wasn't aware of the EU 10 year rule, her passport will be 10 years old in August but expires Feb 2023. Does the 10 year rule only apply to outward travel? And is there any risk that the Eurostar border official might interpret it differently?

I’d just do it now. There seems to be some confusion even amongst airport staff so I’d rather just know I was fine. In my mind I’d be thinking I’d rather a few wasted passport months than the cost of a holiday or unnecessary stress.

Why on earth would she renew it now if it doesn't expire until next year?

Dont you think it might be this attitude that's leading to the huge passport processing backlog?

There have been issues with airlines interpreting it wrongly but don't know about Eurostar. It could be hard to get a fast track appointment though as 4 weeks may not be long enough to do it through other channels

It depends where you are going. EU countries will not accept the extra months and go by the issue date. Other countries do accept the extra months so you just need to go by the expiry date.