If you want to travel abroad in the next few months, you are being advised to check your passport and if you need to apply for a new one to do so as soon as possible. The UK Government has admitted that a "virtually unprecedented surge in demand" has caused a backlog.
Five million people delayed renewing their passports during the pandemic as they couldn't travel, the Commons was told on Monday, April 25, but under post-Brexit EU travel rules people with British passports must have at least three months’ validity remaining, which threatens to put more strain on the system.
Since April 2021, "contingency measures" have been introduced by the Passport Office and the UK Government say over a million applications were processed last month alone. In a normal year, the Passport Office deal with seven million applications.
How long are passports taking?
In the Commons, minister Kevin Foster told MPs that between January and March, over 90% of cases were completed within six weeks, but people are now being told to allow up to 10 weeks for their application. However opposition MPs told him that target was "routinely" being missed. There are different turnaround times if you’re applying from another country.
How can I apply?
If you don't need a passport urgently, you're asked to apply online to use the standard service or you can also apply with a paper form from a post office but this costs an extra £9.50.
What if I need to travel for an emergency?
If you need a passport to travel urgently for medical treatment, because a friend or family member is seriously ill or has died, or for urgent government business, UK Government recommend you call the Passport Adviceline.
What if I need a passport quickly?
There are two ways to apply for an urgent passport but you will need to attend your local passport office. The offices are in Newport, Liverpool, London, Peterborough, Durham, Belfast and Glasgow.
The online premium service means you get your new passport at your appointment, which last up to 30 minutes. You’ll apply, pay and book an appointment online. The earliest you can get an appointment is two days from when you apply.
You can use this service to renew an adult passport. It costs £177 or £187 for a 50 page frequent traveller passport) but only if your passport was issued after December 31, 2001.
There is also a one week fast track service and that is delivered to your home and you need to be in to sign for it. You can use this service to:
- renew an adult or child passport
- change your name on your passport (for example with a marriage certificate or deed poll)
- make changes to your personal details on your passport (for example, your gender)
- replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport
- apply for a first child passport
It costs £142 for an adult passport (or £152 for a 50 page frequent traveller passport) or £122 for a child passport (or £132 for a 50 page frequent traveller passport).
However, a word of warning, when we looked for available dates for the one week service for an adult renewal, or a first child passport on the morning of Tuesday, April 26, the next appointments being offered were on Tuesday, May 17, and only being offered were in Belfast, Glasgow or London.
How do I find out more?
The UK Government website has details of all the different options and what you need to take with you to the appointments and details you need to provide.
