Passport Urgency: 5 Weeks to Christmas Travel!

The Passport Office has issued a critical five-week warning for individuals planning Christmas travel, emphasizing the need to check passport validity promptly. With the festive season approaching, holidaymakers are urged to ensure their passports are up-to-date, undamaged, or to apply for replacements well in advance to avoid travel disruptions.

The cost for a new passport is £94.50 for online applications and £107 for paper forms. The Government advises against booking any travel until a valid passport is secured, as new passports receive a different number than old ones. Processing times can exceed the usual three weeks if additional information or interviews are required.

For those needing their passports urgently, expedited services are available. The 'one day premium' service costs £222 or £235 for a 54-page frequent traveler passport, offering a new document within four hours of an appointment. A 'one week fast track' option is also available for £178 (adult) or £145 (child), processing applications within a week of an appointment.