Passport renewal question.

murphydavid

I stupidly forgot to renew my passport in good time. Its not run out yet and I need it to travel almost immediate then I have a week at home during which it runs out then I need to travel again. I can't send in the old passport now with an application because it is in use. I know I can renew it in the week I am at home by using the emergency renewal procedure but this involves Phoning for an appointment from overseas. Going to the passport office in London. Paying an extra fee. Getting the application perfect first time. etc.
Grasping at straws I know but does any one know an easier way out of this. The renewal itself is an exactly identical UK passport by a UK citizen so no complications in itself.

Thanks

JimmyTheWig

I would imagine that you could get someone else to phone to make the appointment for you, if that helps.
I believe that there are a few regional offices around the country where you can do this, though London is probably the closest and easiest to get to for most people.
I suggest getting the photo taken somewhere that specialise in passport photos rather than using a photo booth. There's a chemist locally to us that do them for a similar price to a booth. They can have a few attempts to get it right if need-be and they know the rules. [This is also particularly useful with small children who may not keep still when required!]

But other than that I don't think there's an easier way to do it in an emergency.

MaggieBaking

You want to be careful because I thought a few countries needed you to have plenty more time left on your passport when you enter the country (3 months?) Just worth checking the conditions of entry.

There are no real identifying factors when you phone to make an appointment, I've just made one. Just your standard details and the time you want it.

They book 2 weeks in advance... I'd personally try it a few of days before you go and ask when you can book for, and then if you need to you can get someone to ring up on your behalf. I rang last week and the nearest appointment was middle of next week, just to give you an idea. Ask when you phone up if someone else can ring, I'm sure there was some option to say the passport was not for myself.

They do a one day fast track passport for a "straight swap". You must turn up before a certain time (different depending on the offices) and it takes 4 hours for them to print it and hand it back to you.

The cost for a one day isn't much more than for the week's service.

smudge56

Get someone to make an appointment, for the Premium service, for you while you are away. The Fast-track service takes up to a week to arrive. The application form is really quite straight forward - basically your name, address old passport number and your signature - not a lot to get wrong - and if your photos are not suitable - there's probably a photo machine in the office where you can get new ones. As long as you follow the guidelines shown in the booklet you get in the application pack there should be no problem.
It will cost you £129.50 and takes 4 hours to process.