Hopefully booking tonight - Passport Problem

[Queenie]

Hi guys,

Our plans have changed after seeing a deal with TCD and we're now planning on flying out on Sept 30th for 2 weeks!!!!!

There is one major spanner in the works. My passport (a child's one - I'll be 18 when we fly out, 19 the day we fly back) is due to expire on Nov 16th which doesn't give me the 3 month window I need after the return date (Oct 15th).

I've been trying to get the forms for my new one sorted for weeks but I only know one person who can counter sign for me and they've been on holiday until last night. They also happen to live hours away. I'm hoping to get over to them this week and get it all signed but I'm really worried my new one won't get back in time.

The other problem is that the forms ask for my full birth certificate and the only one I have is a little one with none of my parents details on it. I don't think my mum has a full copy either. If we have to send off for one then I seriously doubt we'll possibly be able to get this through in time.

What would you guys do?

 

[wilma-bride]

You can pay an extra premium with the Passport Office to get it put through quickly (fast-tracked). It is quite expensive but at least you'll know it's done and you can relax.

There's more info on this link on how long it takes.

Have a great time.

Joh

http://www.passport.gov.uk/_9_howlong/9_howlong.asp

 

[angel659]

Hi

If you cant travel to your friend or whom can certify it I would get my GP to certify. I think they charged £15.00, but at least your gaurenteed to get it dont quicker.

I would go to the registry office where they registered your birth and they charge something like £10.00 for a whole certificate this way you would be able to send your passport off within a week. Sometimes passport agency can get it done a lot quicker if you get all the documents together and book an appt at your local passport office, but this would be more expensive than you doing the leg work via your GP.

Good luck and let us know what happens

 

[Queenie]

Is my GP ok to do this as I've not been registered at the practice for 2 years yet and the doctor I see is constantly changing? The registry office shouldn't be a problem to get too as it's near my mum's house.

The premium service is not available when applying for a 1st adult passport so I can't use it.

 

[Clare D]

Hi Queenie
Do you know anybody who works in abank/building society they can also do it. Otherwise I know it is a long shot but what about a teacher from your old school. You could try ringing the school to see if you can speak with an office person to see if they can get a teacher to call you, or do you know where one of them lives?

 

[Queenie]

Ok this is getting utterly rediculous! I just called my mum and I've never had one of the full birth certificates with my parents details on it, when I was born I was given one of the small ones. Obviously I must have used that to apply for my current passport so I called the Passport people to check if that's ok to use. Here's where the stupid bit starts.

They are now saying I don't need to apply for a full adult passport, as I have a child's one I'm only applying for a renewal. If that's true - great! My appearance has barely changed so I wouldn't need it counter signed and I don't need to send any certificates. Thing is I called them a few weeks ago to check this out and was told then that I needed to apply for a full adult passport. Two calls, two different but equally adament viewpoints.

Does anyone know what to do?

 

[arieliwish]

I've just renewed DD aged 10 passport, and although her last pics where done when she was 5, we didn't have to get them or the form countersigned. New passport was back in about 8 days. I thought it might be different with child to adult passports but maybe not, I suppose you're still in their system.
It seems to be a very different process with renewals than original applications.

 

[wilma-bride]

Here is a link to the general enquiries page for the Passport Office. Suggest you email them your enquiry so you get written confirmation and then you will know once and for all.

http://www.passport.gov.uk/forms/f_generalenq.asp

Good luck.

Joh

 

[Queenie]

Ok we've called again and were told to apply for renewal. We're going to go with the two out of three and hope. I'd email but I still wouldn't trust the reply. I'm taking my forms into the post office so hopefully they'll be able to check it all for me and say if it's wrong.

 

[jen_uk]

Queenie its not true that you need 3 months left on the passport, if you look at the USA embassy website it says if you are from UK it only has to be ok for the time you are there.

 

[Queenie]

Queenie its not true that you need 3 months left on the passport, if you look at the USA embassy website it says if you are from UK it only has to be ok for the time you are there.

That's odd. I just looked at the US Embassy site and it says:

"If traveling under the Visa Waiver Program, the passport must be valid for at least 90 days from the date on which the holder enters the United States."

Evidently these guys can't make their minds up either!

 

[wilma-bride]

That is correct Queenie. You have to have at least 90 days left to run on your passport.

I would just do the Post Office thing - it costs a bit more but at least they will check everything for you and you can start to relax a bit.

 

[Amyrlin]

I think that if you already have a passport that you are renewing you do not need to send off a full birth certificate. WE have just sent off my other halfs as we checked it ahd it is damamged (we are travelling 1st sept). The check and send service at the post office is good and turnaround in between 2 - 3 weeks (£49). Otherwise you need to make an appointment at a passport office for the premium service (£70 i think).

You can call the passport office on 0870 521 0410 andthey are very helpful usually. If you get a pillock just ring back

 

[mushumadness]

when you renewing a passport you dont need your birth certificate, or anything extra signing (ie your pictures) as long as you send your old passport with the form

we just got my boyfriend a renewal did it through the post office and he got it back within a week

 

[Cochise]

I was under the impression that it was 90 days or at least valid until at least the point you leave the country. Isn't 90 days the max that you can stay without a visa? and that is why they refer to the 90 days.

 

[jen_uk]

I was under the impression that it was 90 days or at least valid until at least the point you leave the country. Isn't 90 days the max that you can stay without a visa? and that is why they refer to the 90 days.

Yep what it says on US embassy site is that it has to be valid for 90 days or if the passport expires under 90 days you can only stay until the day it runs out, so if it runs out a month after the holiday its not a problem.

 

[patdavies]

That is correct Queenie. You have to have at least 90 days left to run on your passport.

I would just do the Post Office thing - it costs a bit more but at least they will check everything for you and you can start to relax a bit.

Not so. If you have less than 90 days left when you enter USA, you will only be allowed to stay until the expiry date of your passport; rather than 90 days.

 

[julie.uk]

I arrange travel for over 200 people at work and came upon this 90 day issue last week, I called Thames consular in london who advised that your passport only has to cover you for the actual time you are there.


I must confess prior to that, I had believed it must have 90 days validity on it but apparently not!