If your holiday is coming up soon and you’re unsure if your passport needs renewing, or how to go about it, keep reading.
When should I renew my passport?
How long does it take to renew a UK passport?
How to renew a passport online
How to renew a passport by post
How to renew a passport at the Post Office
How much is it to renew a passport in the UK?
What if my passport doesn’t arrive on time?
What other options are there?
When should I renew my passport?
Always check if your passport is valid before you book your next holiday. It’s just as important as booking flights or a hotel, because if it’s not up to scratch, then you won’t be able to go!
You will need to renew your passport if:
- It has expired
- It is over 10 years old
- There is not enough time left on it*
*Not having enough time left on your passport often catches people out. The number of months left on your passport is an entry requirement for most countries, and it varies between destinations. It is generally recommended to have at least 6 months remaining on your UK passport.
Visit the FCDO website and check the entry requirements for your destination. The ‘Passport validity’ section will tell you how many months are needed on your passport to travel.
How long does it take to renew a UK passport?
At the time of writing, the wait time to renew a UK passport online is 3 weeks after application. But, passport renewal by post or using the Post Office may take slightly longer, as paper applications typically take longer than using an online renewal service. If you need your passport sooner, take a look at the passport fast-track service.
If the passport delays of 2022-23 have taught us anything, it’s to renew your passport sooner rather than later. Make sure to check the expiry date and the date it was issued, as you can’t use a passport if it’s over 10 years old.
How to renew a passport online
Renewing online is the quickest, and cheapest way to get your passport sorted.
Just head to the government’s page for passports, where you’ll find the option to renew passports online for adults and children.
To renew your passport online, you’ll need:
- Your current passport (expired or soon-to-be expired)
- A digital photo (making sure it’s within the normal guidelines)
- A credit or debit card to make payment
How to renew a passport by post
If you prefer to renew by post, you can fill out a form and post it to the Passport Office. You’ll need to include the correct supporting documents and include payment for the renewal fee.
Find out more about renewing a passport by post.
How to renew a passport at the Post Office
You can also renew your passport at some Post Offices.
They’ll help you complete your application and send it off either digitally (Digital Check & Send) or through the post (Paper Check & Send).
The Post Office will charge an extra £16 fee on top of the normal passport application cost, and you need to pay for your own photos if you use Paper Check & Send.
Find out more about renewing a passport through the Post Office.
How much is it to renew a passport in the UK?
For an adult, it costs £82.50 to replace or renew your passport online. It costs a little more – £93 – if you want to do it through the post.
For children under 16, renewing a passport costs £53.50 online and £64 for a paper application.
New passports and renewals are free of charge for anyone born on or before 2 September 1929.
What is the quickest way to renew a UK passport?
If you need to renew a passport urgently, you can use the fast track service.
The Online Premium service costs £193.50, and you’ll get your passport at a 30-minute in-person appointment. It can only be used to renew adult passports that were issued after 31 December 2001.
The 1 week Fast Track service costs £155 for an adult passport and £126 for a child passport. You’ll need a form from the Post Office (you can’t apply online), you can then book and pay for an appointment online. You can use it to renew adult and child passports, or apply for a new child passport. You’ll be issued with a new passport in 1 week after your appointment.
What if my passport doesn’t arrive on time?
If you’ve applied using the standard service and you’re worried that your passport won’t arrive in time for your trip, there are a couple of things you can try.
Call the Passport Adviceline
If you’re travelling in two weeks or less, you can call the Passport Adviceline on 0300 222 0000. Here, you can track the progress of your passport application and request to ‘upgrade’ your application.
If you meet the eligibility criteria (for example, having proof of a pre-booked flight), you have the option to ‘upgrade’ your passport application for a fee. This upgrade offers expedited processing within one week, although there is no guarantee.
You can also contact the Passport Adviceline if you need to travel due to an emergency, such as the serious illness of a friend or family member abroad.
What other options are there?
If you can’t afford the cost of the Passport Office’s Fast Track and Premium services or you can’t get an appointment due to demand, you have two other options: call the Passport Office directly or speak to your MP to see if they can help.
My passport hasn’t arrived in time. What can I do?
If you don’t manage to get your passport in time and you can’t travel, it’s unlikely that you’ll get a refund from your travel provider. You’re also unlikely to be covered by your travel insurance.
Before you’re due to travel, speak to your travel provider(s) to see if there’s anything they can do. They might not be able to give you a refund, but you might be able to change the dates of your trip or give you credit vouchers to rebook with them.
If you do change the dates of your trip or rebook, don’t forget to update your travel insurance. Avanti Travel Insurance customers can change their travel dates by logging into their My Avanti account.
Ready for your next trip?
If your passport is sorted and you’ve booked your next adventure, don’t forget to pack your travel insurance.
You can also read our travel documents checklist to make sure all your paperwork is in order before you go.
