Passport Renewal- how long?

[FattyFattyBooomBoom]

At the weekend I booked a flight home for Easter. I live on mainland Europe (CH). I’ve just realised- my passport expires in December this year. However, I had extra months added to it. It was issued in March 2015. I think I could travel to UK on it, but I wouldn’t be allowed to travel home.

I‘ve got time today to get a renewal sorted and my current passport sent off. My flight is in 12 weeks. This is fine, right?? Slightly panicky. I haven’t been ‘home home’ in 2 years, I can’t miss this trip 😭

While not how you want to spend your holiday... could you get a 1 day renewal appointment while in the UK?

However the passport office is being very efficient currently. About three weeks for overseas according to the tracking website

I did mine a few months ago and it took 6 days for the new one to arrive. I was amazed. I did the online application using a digital picture code provided by a local photography shop where I'd had a new photo done. I'm in South east so it went to the London passport centre. If you did it now, before the rush begins, you should be ok. They seem to have worked through their backlog.

I just did a renewal for DDs child passport and it took just over a week once the application was submitted. It was a straightforward renewal though, she's a British national and we did the photo authentication thing online and the photo itself using one of the booths that validates the image as being correct composition and lighting and everything.

I don’t want to risk waiting until I’m in the UK to get it done. I’d rather have the passport in my hands before I get on a plane. It’s reassuring to hear they are being fast at the moment, thanks

Renewed mine this month. Did it all online and paid for tracked delivery. It was processed and returned within a week.

Mine came back within two weeks and from the minute it arrives with the passport office you get updates and know when it's on its way back to you. Felt the process was very efficient.
I think you'll be absolutely fine with the time you have but yes do it asap

Mine came in less than a week!

Are you doing it via embassy? Because timescales for that are different

I’m feeling much calmer now, thanks all!

I’m applying online, unfortunately nowhere near the Embassy

Just did my renewal, sent the online application 31st dec, had the new one in hand 9th Jan, so I think you’ll be fine!

however what prompted me to do it was I tried to go on holiday (UK to abroad) and got denied at the airport because although I had plenty of time left on it for travelling out, my passport was 2 days short of the required return date +6 months extra time. I don’t know if it would be different for you with citizenship but they wouldn’t let me go out with insufficient extra time on the return expiry date (entirely my mistake and thankfully we were able to swap to a different destination and still travel)

so, it may be different for you with citizenship status, but don’t assume you can even travel to the uk if the return date is short