02 October 2023 , 16:00
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With the summer holiday season over, now is the perfect time to renew any passports that are due to expire with shorter waiting times expected at UK passport offices.
An absolute necessity for British nationals looking to travel, or even just wanting to provide proof of identification, the UK passport is an international travel document that meets the standards of the International Civil Aviation and other territories around the world. His Majesty's Passport Office (more commonly referred to as HMPO) states that British citizens must renew their passport if either the passport has expired, or there is not enough time left on it.
In general, many countries will require that visitors have at least six months left on their passport when entering the country, but they should always check the specific entry requirements for the country they are visiting on the GOV.UK website.
Read more:What to do if an airline loses your luggage and how you can easily keep track of it
Since the UK left the EU in 2021, travellers must now ensure that the passport issue date is less than 10 years before the day of arrival in the EU and that the passport expiry date is at least three months after the intended day of departure.
8 money changes coming in February including Universal Credit and passport fees
Knowing your passport is due for renewal can feel like a nagging voice in your head that needs to get it done. Luckily enough, getting your passport renewed is a simple enough procedure that can be done online, via the post or in person.
How can I renew my passport?
HMPO offers three different services for existing UK passport holders looking to renew their passports.
Standard application service
The cheapest and easiest way to do it if you are not in a rush, is by completing an online application form. To do this, you will need a digital photo, a credit or debit card and your current passport.
You can also renew your passport by completing a paper form from the Post Office and sending it back to HMPO with the relevant supporting documentation.
To do this, you will need two identical printed photographs, a credit or debit card or chequebook to make payment, the completed form and access to Post Office counter service.
Online premium service
To use this service you must be able to apply, pay and book an appointment online. The earliest you can get an appointment is two days from when you apply and you can only use Online Premium to renew an adult passport that was issued after 31 December 2001.
You’ll get your new passport at your appointment and each appointment can last up to 30 minutes.
Passport warning as prices to increase from today if you want to get a new one
One-week fast-track service
This appointment-based service is subject to availability and, while the HMPO will endeavour to offer a faster turnaround, the one-week time frame is not always guaranteed.
Appointments at your local passport office can be booked up to three weeks in advance, and attendees will need to bring their completed paper application, two printed passport photos and all supporting documents with them.
A credit or debit card is needed at the time of booking to pay the renewal fee online.
Where are the UK Passport Offices?
There are seven Passport Offices in the United Kingdom. They are located in London, Liverpool, Peterborough, Durham, Newport, Glasgow and Belfast.
All offices offer the one-week fast-track service and the premium service, but applicants are required to book an appointment in advance.
How much does it cost to renew your passport?
The cost to renew a standard adult passport online is £82.50, while a child’s passport will cost £53.50. Postal applications are slightly higher with adults costing £93 and a child's application costing £64.
One-week fast-track applications cost £155 for an adult passport (or £166 for a 50-page frequent traveller passport) and £126 for a child passport (or £137 for a 50-page frequent traveller passport)
For the Premium Service, applicants will need to pay £193.50 (or £204.50 for a 50-page frequent traveller passport) for the convenience of the same-day service.
Travel rules reminder
Passengers are also reminded to check the requirements of their destination before travelling. Many countries require holidaymakers’ passports to have been issued less than 10 years before the date they enter the country and at least three months of validity left on their passports from the date they leave.
Take care of your passport
If your passport becomes damaged it may not be considered valid for travel to and from the UK. If its appearance has been fundamentally affected, it contains a damaged chip or superficial wear and tear, it will not be accepted as a travel document.
Lost passports can also cause unwanted stress and worry, as they will need to be cancelled and reported before they can be replaced.
It pays to keep your freshly renewed passport safe from harm and easy to find with these top travel accessories.
UK Passport Holder
Keep your passport safe with a UK passport holder (Amazon)This good old-fashioned passport holder is emblazoned with the Royal coat of arms embossed in gold, in the latest design that was introduced with the UK left the EU on January 1, 2021.
Made from durable PU leather with a black nylon lining and two gold metal corners, this cover is the perfect fit for a British passport and will help protect against wear and tear.
Buy now £6.99
Family Passport Holder
Keep all your family travel documents safe (Amazon)Keep everything in one place when you travel with this super handy family passport holder.
Spacious enough to keep all your documents together, this zippered travel wallet has enough slots for all your documents, cards, boarding passes and passports.
Available in a choice of colours, you can even find a family-sized passport holder to match your carry-on bags and suitcases.
Buy now £11.99
RFID Travel Belt
Keep your passport close by you at all times (Amazon)Being far from home can leave you feeling vulnerable to pickpockets and scammers, but a travel belt might make you feel more secure.
Investing in a bum bag that comes complete with an RFID liner will help to protect travellers from the risk of scanners on the go, and will keep your passport, money and important documents close to your person at all times. With a hidden flap design, this compact carry bag has slots to keep your passport securely tucked away, while still allowing easy access when you need it.
Buy now £11.99
Passport Cover and Luggage Tag Set
Stay safe and co-ordinated with a matching set (Amazon)Stay coordinated with a matching passport and luggage tag set.
With hundreds of styles available to suit travellers of all ages, these two-piece sets make it easy to locate your passport in your bag and your luggage on the carousel.
Buy now £11.99
Use a tracker
Pop a tracker in your passport case (Amazon)Electronic trackers have become a must-have accessory for travellers, changing the way in which we locate our belongings should they go astray.
There is a wealth of electronic trackers available to suit all budgets, many small enough to be tucked inside your passport holder or wallet so you know where it is at all times.
Some of the best we've seen include the Apple AirTag (£29.00), Tile Pro (£25), Chippolo One (£22) and the Tracki (£19).
Mirror writer and avid traveller Harriet Morphy-Morris compared the AirTag and the Tile on her recent trip to France, to see which one was most effective. You can read her thoughts, here.
Lock it up
Invest in a portable travel safe (Amazon)When you have reached your destination it's safer to keep your passport in your hotel, apartment, hostel or Airbnb than travel around the streets with it.
Most hotels will have a safe in each bedroom, but you can also buy a portable travel safe or lock box that is large enough to keep your passport and other valuables tucked away.
These personal security boxes are perfect for backpackers, gap year students, independent travellers and anyone who just wants to know that their stuff can't be tampered with.
Buy on Amazon