hips don't lie: Passport renewal: Travellers warned as applications look set to triple this summer

Thứ Hai, 15 tháng 7, 2013

Passport renewal: Travellers warned as applications look set to triple this summer

By

Travelmail Reporter

PUBLISHED:

05:34 EST, 15 July 2013

|

UPDATED:

05:34 EST, 15 July 2013

Passport applications are expected to more than triple this summer as holidaymakers rush to renew or replace their travel documents in time for their annual break.

Applications between March and August rise by more than three times as much as during off-peak winter months and this summer could prove to be one of the busiest yet, according to HM Passport Office.

Last December there were 175,174 applications, but this July there are expected to be more than 560,000.

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Most important item: HM Passport Office processes more than 5.5 million applications each year and the summer months are its busiest period

The agency employs extra staff during the summer months but has warned travellers to leave plenty of time for their application as there are limited numbers of appointments for fast track and premium services.

It also pays to apply early – customers face up to £55.50 extra in costs for emergency counter services.

Paul Pugh, Chief Executive of HM Passport Office, said: “We are urging travellers not to forget the most important item on your travel checklist this year – your passport.

“Check it is valid in advance of your trip and don’t book that trip without first ensuring it is in date.

“We work hard to process more than 5.5 million applications each year, so help us to help you have a smooth trip this year.”

Customers can renew their passport by filling in a form online; calling the Passport Advice Line and asking them to send a form; or by applying through the Post Office’s ‘Check Send’ service.

Applications can take three weeks to process and up to six weeks for first time applicants as the process includes an interview.

There is also the option to fast track

your application and get your passport renewed in a week or a day, but

customers must make an appointment at a Passport Customer Service

Centre.

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Costly option: Customers must make an appointment at a Passport Customer Service Centre if they want to fast track their application

The cost of an adult passport was reduced by £5 last September 2012 to £72.50 but applications via the Post Office cost an extra £8.75 and those opting for the fast track service will pay £103 to get their passport in a week and £128 to get it rushed through in under 24 hours.

Travellers aged 16 to 20 were the most likely to leave it until the last minute to renew their passport, with around 70,000 applying last July alone.

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA – The Travel Association, said: “Consumers look forward to holidays as a chance to relax and unwind, so renewing or getting a new passport in plenty of time will help keep those stress levels low.

“When you’re thinking of booking your trip, make sure that you and other members of your party have valid passports or sufficient time to renew it and remember, you don’t have to wait for your passport to expire; the HM Passport Office will add on up to nine months unused validity onto your new passport.”

To find out more about applying for a passport and fees, visit https://www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/passports