PASSPORT. Damn. Damn. Damn.
Yep. I’ve been there too. That casual glance at your passport’s expiry date. The wet-your-pants moment of swearing that follows.
Thankfully, there are 3 ways you can get a new UK passport in a hurry.
They’re not perfect; you DO have to deal with the Passport Office (sorry). You may have to go to Newport (again, sorry). Money will change hands.
But they have their pros too – and they just might help you out of a sticky situation. So chill, y’all – here’s how to get a new UK passport in a jiffy.
PIN FOR LATER:
What to do: Go online to www.gov.uk and fill out the forms from your sofa (follow the relevant passport links to get to the right place).
You can then print off the passport renewal docs, pay the passport fee, sign the forms, and send them to the Passport Office with the relevant information and photos.
Best of all: You can track the progress of your passport using the unique log-in details you’ll be given when you apply.
What sucks: Fill out the forms wrongly, or send a passport photo that doesn’t comply with the guidelines, and you could cause yourself scary-sized delays.
Cost: First Adult passport – £72.50 First Child passport – £82.25
What to do: Call the Passport Office on 0300 222 000 to apply for a Fast-Track passport application. With this option you will get your passport 1 week after attending an appointment at your nearest passport office.
You’ll need to provide a completed form, photographs and supporting documents. You might also need to sign for delivery of your passport.
Best of all: As long as you book your appointment with the Passport Office as early as possible, you should be on track to getting your passport sorted with the minimum of crying.
What sucks: This Fast-Track service cannot be used to get a First Adult passport, only to renew an Adult passport. But it can be used for getting a First Child passport and for renewing a Child passport.
Also, the waiting list for appointments can take up to 3 weeks. So if you snooze, you lose. Take action now.
Cost: Adult passport renewal: £103.00 First Child passport: £87.00 Child passport renewal: £87.00
What to do: If you need a passport as soon as is humanly possible, the fastest option is the Premium same-day passport service.
You’ll need to book an appointment at your local passport office (it can take up to 3 weeks to get one – but some appointments can be issued for a few days’ time), so call the Passport Office right away on 0300 222 000.
Make sure you bring all the right documents and photos. Once there, complete all the paperwork, hand over your photos and your passport fee, and take a seat.
Best of all: Your new passport could be in your hands in just 4 hours after attending your appointment. From personal experience, I can tell you that it is one of the most joyous feelings on earth to be handed your passport when you’d just about given up hope.
What sucks: The Premium same-day passport service cannot be used for any child passports or an First Adult passport. It’s also quite pricey.
Cost: Adult passport renewal: 128.00
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