Child passport. Not expired. Renewing the photo. Is it worth it?

[lackingsleep]

DS is 4. His passport will expire next spring 2011. Thinking of renewing the photo (his was done when 3 months old) as we had some problems at UK Passports last time we travelled. It's £49 to renew the photo on the existing passport - it can't be extended - then it will expire in 2011 and it would have to be done again for another £49.

Q: Would you bother or wait until later? We travel again soon - before the 9 month window when the time can be 'added' to the new 5 yr passport.

hm, never botherd with mine, even though dd 3 y old doesn't look at all like her picture when she was 3 months old

Dpends where you are travelling too. IF the USA definatley Even then you could get a official on a bad day, as you said you had problems last time, so I still think it worth taking the hit to avoid further hassle.

I never did it and I never had any problems. My dd had her first passport photo done when she was 2 weeks old and she used it until she was nearly 5. My 3 year old still hsa her photo when she was a couple of months old too.

I wouldn't bother. DD traveleld till she was 5 on her first passport (photo aged 6 days) and currently uses one with a five year old photo in it, she is nearly nine. Save your money for some gorgeous lovelies.

I'm holding out as long as I can, even though I regularly get grief from immigration (especially as DDs don't carry my surname). But if you are concerned, why not get a new passport now, instead of renewing the picture on the current one?

I was going to suggest getting a new one. But wasn't 100% sure it'd work.
I think you'd have to report the old one as lost, which would be okay. But I'm wondering if the replacement might have the same expirey.
www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Passports/Loststolenordamagedpassports/DG_174163
www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Passports/index.htm

Get a new one now - they will add the remainding 9 months onto the 'new' 5 years.

Yes - it says "You can apply to renew the passport at any time. If there is any time left on the old passport IPS will add it to the new passport, up to a maximum of nine months."

Query the 9 months add on. It only takes effect when applied for within that 9 month period. Otherwise it only renews the current passport up to original expiry date. My understanding is the new one would have 5yrs + up to the nine months??

I wouldn't. It's a standard problem. I would renew it as soon as the nine months window applies though and get it done.