Finding out your passport has expired just before you fly is a common problem experienced by travellers.
The standard process of applying for an adult British passport takes about six weeks.
But when your holiday is fast approaching and you’re due to fly before your travel document arrives, there is an alternative option.
The passport office provides a service for travellers who need a passport urgently.
Depending on how quickly you need your travel document, you can use the Premium or Fast Track service.
These options only apply to travellers who are still in the UK.
Fast Track: One-week turnaround
If you choose this one-week option, you have to book an appointment at a Passport Customer Service Centre.
You can do this online at https://www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-urgently/book-appointment-pay.
You’ll be charged a non-refundable passport fee during your booking, which costs either £103 to renew a standard adult 32-page passport, or £111 to renew an adult 48-page passport.
To find your nearest Service Centre, you can search using your postcode at https://www.gov.uk/find-regional-passport-office.
Once you’ve booked your appointment, you’ll have to fill out a paper application from a Post Office (these aren’t available online).
Bring your completed form, two identical passport photos and your supporting documents (details are in the booklet provided with your paper form).
You can get someone else to go to this appointment for you as long as you’re still in the country and they bring ID, a signed permission letter from you and the application receipt.
Once you’ve completed your appointment, your passport will be sent to your address within one week.
Premium: Seven-day turnaround
If you choose the one-day option, you have to book an appointment at a Passport Customer Service Centre at https://www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-urgently/book-appointment-pay.
The booking fee is £128 to renew a standard adult 32-page passport, or £137 to renew an adult 48-page passport.
Fill out a paper application from the Post Office and take it to your appointment, along with two identical passport photos and your supporting documents.
Someone else can do this for you under the same circumstances as the Fast Track option.
Once provided, you can usually collect your new passport four hours after your appointment.
Fast-tracking an existing passport application
If you already have a standard passport application in progress, you may be able to speed it up.
This can only be done in “exceptional circumstances”, according to the Passport Office.
If you think you might be eligible, you can call the Passport Adviceline on 0300 222 0000 to check.
For those who can wait the six weeks for a standard passport, the Governent has launched a streamlined application process which can be completed online in 10 minutes.
Post a Comment