The government have issued a warning to travellers about potential passport issues that could disrupt their holiday plans. There are five specific problems that might stop you from flying, which could result in costs of up to £100 to fix.
On the gov.uk website, the government has warned about the consequences of having a damaged passport: “If your passport is damaged you must replace it” cautioning that: “You may not be able to travel with it.”
Replacing a passport online costs £88.50, while doing so via a paper form is priced at £100. There are five things that could class your passport as being damaged, which include:
- You cannot read any of your details
- Any of the pages are ripped, cut or missing
- There are holes, cuts or rips in the cover
- The cover is coming away
- There are stains on the pages (for example, ink or water damage)
For those applying for a new passport online, it’s necessary to upload a digital photo and make a payment using a credit or debit card. In cases where a passport has been lost or stolen, an identity verification by another person is required online. However, before applying for a replacement, such passports need to be reported as cancelled.
To get a paper application form for a new passport, one can visit a Post Office or contact the Passport Adviceline. Two identical printed photos of yourself are needed, and both the application form and one photo must be countersigned by someone else to confirm your identity.
How long will a new passport take to arrive?
Typically, you can expect to receive your passport within three weeks. However, the Government website cautions: “It may take longer than three weeks if we need more information, or we need to interview you. We’ll tell you this within three weeks. There are different turnaround times if you’re applying from another country.”
Should you require your new passport sooner, there are two faster options available. For the premium one-day service, the earliest appointment you can secure is two days after you apply. At this appointment, you must give back your old passport.
You can then collect your new passport from the passport office just four hours after your appointment. This service comes with a fee of £207.50 (or £219.50 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport).
Alternatively, the fast track one-week service allows for an appointment as soon as the day following your application. Your new passport will be delivered by courier exactly one week from your appointment date.
This option costs £166.50 for an adult passport (or £178.50 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport), and £135.50 for a child’s passport (or £147.50 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport).