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Original poster

Urgent! Travelling with 4months and 10 days left on child passport

48 replies

IMMLE · 15/05/2025 12:07

So let me paint the picture!
i have done all my research, but need I think to make a final decision based on my options ( there are not many)

I have booked flights. For a family of 5 2 adults and 3 children, Through a booking agency. I did not pay for flexi ( was over confident that I had checked everything over and would not need to at any point change my flights, was I wrong!) I had this urge of anxiety rush over me this morning and was like wait my little one turned 5 recently I must check her passport validity.. 4 months and 10 days left on it! We are going to Thailand we go every year for 3.5 weeks! And my mom is a Thai citizen and has a home there! My worry is the airline noticing! Even though I’m almost sure with her passport being one of 5 for them to look at it could get overlooked .. but then again I have never flown with Qatar before.

my options are to renew her passport in time .. we fly in 5 days so this isn’t happening. Second one is to change mine and her flight if it’s not another arm and leg.. again will see if it’s affordable. But if not I’m going to just have to go for it! Has anyone experienced this before? Talk to me!!

OP posts:
villainandvixen · 15/05/2025 12:10

The computer will flag it when you go to board, it won’t be overlooked. Don’t risk it

CombatBarbie · 15/05/2025 12:10

It will flag on check in. I'd be trying to get a same.day service at your nearest passport office.

BashfulClam · 15/05/2025 12:12

CombatBarbie · 15/05/2025 12:10

It will flag on check in. I'd be trying to get a same.day service at your nearest passport office.

You can’t do same day for a child. 1 weeks is fastest. It’s prevent children being abducted.

AndorTheRelentless · 15/05/2025 12:12

My friend got to boarding before she was rejected on her trip, and I think she had 5 months and 25 days on her passport.

So you may get through various stages, but fall at the end

MousePolice · 15/05/2025 12:13

I got an in person appointment the same day that I realised my child’s passport had expired. They don’t do same day passports for children but it arrived 5 days later.

Bodonka · 15/05/2025 12:15

It’ll flag. Even if it doesn’t flag at check in, it’ll flag when you get there and try and enter the country (and that’s even worse/more expensive).

I’d do a 1 week fast track (there’s not a 1 day option for kids I don’t think) and keep your fingers crossed it comes through in time.

stickmanohstickman · 15/05/2025 12:27

I’m afraid this will definitely be picked up on - I had just over 6 months on my passport last time I flew and staff at check in and boarding flagged it to me to remind me to get it renews asap after the trip.

Tiswa · 15/05/2025 12:30

It is all on a computer - yes people might not noticed but a computer eill

Radiatorvalves · 15/05/2025 12:39

What are the rules for Thailand? Do you need the passport to be valid for a longer period?

Radiatorvalves · 15/05/2025 12:41

Just checked… it’s 6 months from arrival. She can’t go. Good luck with renewal and rebooking.

Roselilly36 · 15/05/2025 12:42

Radiatorvalves · 15/05/2025 12:39

What are the rules for Thailand? Do you need the passport to be valid for a longer period?

Min 6mths to enter Thailand on British Passport - x post!

TheNightingalesStarling · 15/05/2025 12:48

Have you done the new Digital arrival card?

MiddleAgedDread · 15/05/2025 12:51

I don't think you've even got a chance of risking it and hoping they won't notice. Everything is computerised so it will flag up. It's not like someone will just glance at it and you can hope they're bad at maths!

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 15/05/2025 12:57

So TODAY
Get the online application done. Be very careful that the photo is bang on.
Get to the post office today - send it special delivery. HMPO won't start processing the request until they get the old Passport
Contact the person you've nominated as referee and explain the urgency. They will need to be watching closely for an email to arrive or to receive a phone call. Make sure they have the right details [childs full name etc]

Push your flights by three days? If HMPO get the passport tomorrow then 5 days to get it back to you. They are way under volume at the moment so you could get very lucky.
There is no way to chase it though so you will have to live with the uncertainty

SalfordQuays · 15/05/2025 13:12

I hate this rule about having 6 months validity on a passport. What’s the point of a passport expiring July if you can’t travel on it in January? It might as well expire in January!

Acc0untant · 15/05/2025 13:14

SalfordQuays · 15/05/2025 13:12

I hate this rule about having 6 months validity on a passport. What’s the point of a passport expiring July if you can’t travel on it in January? It might as well expire in January!

Because different countries have different rules and none want to risk you entering the country, overstaying and not having a valid passport to fly back on.

JollyHostess101 · 15/05/2025 13:28

Ex airline manager here it’ll be picked up at check in and they won’t be allowed to travel! It’ll be swiped and the computer will flag it!!

Try and fix it as I’ve seen far too many family holidays ruined because people think it’ll be all ok and we won’t notice!!

CombatBarbie · 15/05/2025 14:07

BashfulClam · 15/05/2025 12:12

You can’t do same day for a child. 1 weeks is fastest. It’s prevent children being abducted.

Show quote history

Ok, didn't know that but have done it when serving overseas and needed to get back to UK for a bereavement.

Banmooo · 15/05/2025 14:10

SalfordQuays · 15/05/2025 13:12

I hate this rule about having 6 months validity on a passport. What’s the point of a passport expiring July if you can’t travel on it in January? It might as well expire in January!

There are places you can go that you can use a passport that expires tomorrow. There are places that you need 3 months.

Whoarethoseguys · 15/05/2025 14:13

It will definitely be flagged that the passport is out of date.
I definitely wouldn't just turn up at the airport in the off chance they won't notice
Even if you can't get a one day passport for a child is there some way it can be fast tracked , if not you will need to rearrange your flights

Tulipsontoast · 15/05/2025 14:17

Travelling on that passport is not an option. Change the flights and apply for a new passport.

PolitePlumFawn · 15/05/2025 15:09

Hello. I had an appointment last Tuesday and got my passport on the Thursday on the one week service. So think service levels are good at moment. Good luck!

GreenFields07 · 15/05/2025 15:10

Its not a visual check by a human anymore, it's scanned on a computer and will definitely be flagged up. Try to get a same day appointment for a new one, it might take about a week to come. Even standard ordering is only taking around 2 weeks at the minute.

SooticaTheWitchesCat · 15/05/2025 15:11

Of course they are going to notice. They have to check everyone’s passport and it will not be allowed.
I was on a flight last year where a family got turned away because one of the children’s passports didn’t have enough time left.

whirlyhead · 15/05/2025 15:22

I recently did a 24 hour passport renewal and didn't have to send in the passport, I just had to take it with me and hand it in when I picked up the new one.