A report by the Daily Record has revealed that huge queues of desperate Scots have gathered outside of the Passport Office in Glasgow. Many are looking to get a hold of their held-up passports before their holidays, which for some are fast-approaching.
The Home Office is understood to have put up to 4,000 applications from several months ago to the back of the queue to prioritise new applications first. Some Scots at the Passport Office who have not received their travel documents even claim to have fast-tracked their applications months ago.
While this is out of the hands of most Scots, some may be wondering about the current passport application process so that they can get their applications in for their next holiday. Here are your questions answered regarding the current passport rules and application process.
How do I apply for a passport?
There are two main ways which in you can apply for a passport.
You can apply online, which is free for a standard service. You can also apply for the standard service through post, however this will cost you £9.50.
If it is your first time applying you will have to provide a birth certificate, and potentially additional details or documentation about your parents if you were born outside the UK. You should also be prepared to provide information including your name and date of birth as well as a passport photo, which you can often get at big-name pharmacies like Boots.
How long does it take?
Typically the passport process will take around 10 weeks following your application. This, however, can vary as we have seen with families outside of Glasgow Passport Office. The process can be slowed by a huge influx of applications, which can lead to many struggling to get a passport on a quick turnaround during the holiday season.
You will be able to track your passport application's progress, according to government guidance. If you applied online you can track your passport by using the reference number that begins with 'PEX'.
For offline applications you will need to give your name, address, email and either the 10-digit barcode number from your application form or 9-digit number on your receipt if you applied at the Post Office to an application tracker tool. You will then get an email telling you the status of your application.
Can I get a priority service?
There are a number of priority options available for those who want to get their passport within 10 weeks. In some cases it will cost money, however it can be obtained more quickly free of cost in exceptional circumstances.
There are two main options, one being the one week Fast Track, which costs £142 for an adult passport or £122 for a child passport. For this option you will also have to book an appointment which you can get three weeks in advance. You will need to bring two identical printed passport photos, your completed paper application form, and your supporting documents.
There is also a premium service which costs £177 and will get an appointment from two days after your application. You can only use Online Premium to renew an adult passport that was issued after 31 December 2001.
You may also be able to speed up your passport application if you have to travel urgently for medical treatment, because a friend or family member is seriously ill or has died, or for urgent government business. If you meet this criteria you should call the Passport Advice line on 0300 222 0000.
Despite opting for priority services, some of the Scots queued up at the Passport Office claim that theirs have still not arrived. A dad named Phil, who paid for a fast tracked option for himself and his partner in February, told the Record: “You couldn’t make this up. We have spent two hours a day for weeks on end trying to get some progress and we kept getting told it’s getting sorted - but nothing does.
Is my passport still valid in the EU?
UK Passports are still valid in the EU however in some cases your passport has to have a certain amount of time before its expiration to be allowed into a country. This depends on the country that you are visiting, a full list of which you can view on the Government website.
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