Passport query? Urgent Help Please

kirstybastin

Hi Everyone,

Need some urgent suprise. My partner has just surprised with a weekend away in paris 5th july..... we are going by coach there and back but I have a problem... when I was with my ex they put my passport through the washing machine and ink pen leaked on my passport.... now i'm worried that I won't be able to go on the amazing holiday because of this? I don't think there is a way of getting a new passport in 5 days? specially as no money until the 5th to. my partner spent last money on this surprise it means so much to me and I have always wanted to go to paris all my life and now I'm really worried i won't be able to go any help would be greatly appreciated and any advice... I don't have a drivin licence I do have a concessionary bus pass with my picture on thru..... really want to go to paris lol been a dream to go since i was a young child....

Archergirl

How badly damaged is it? I think if the picture page is intact with no signs of tampering you should be OK. They must see this quite a bit, they know what to look for to see if it's been tampered with. Maybe take it to a travel agent and ask them to look at it.

C_Mababejive

The last time i did a Paris/Versaille n all that coach trip they didnt even check my passport either there or back. Same when i did a Chrismas market coach tour. Passport control on coaches via Dover is rather casual. In fact border controls at Dover are very casual in many respects which is why the country is as it is..is the passport totally knacked or is it not too bad? Bring som other form of ID/passport/EHIC etc ?

kirstybastin

The ink is only on the covering of the passport but there is water damage on the pages and where the picture is the plastic is coming away but only on large part of bottom corners but not near picture where the picture is it is still sealed... I would have said to my partner that we should book it couple weeks later if i had known we were going away then wouldn't of had problems will be going past a travel agent later so will ask them... i really hope i can go its been a dream to go

Pollycat

If you're hoping someone will say you don't need a passport, you're going to be disappointed, unfortunately.

The other form of ID you mention (bus pass) are not acceptable so you need to concentrate on your passport.

As Archergirl asks - how bad is the damage?

If it is very bad, you'll need a replacement to go on this holiday.

You can't use the Premium service to replace a damaged passport, so you're looking at the Fast Track service - within 1 week of application.

So if your current passport is too damaged to be used, I think you're not going to make the trip to Paris.

Sagz_2

It is possible but it costs: Google 'same day passport' and go to the government link.

alanrowell

https://www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-urgently

See the "Premium 1-day service" section

Pollycat

Sagz wrote: »

It is possible but it costs: Google 'same day passport' and go to the government link.

According to this:
https://www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-urgently

as I posted earlier:

Pollycat wrote: »

You can't use the Premium service to replace a damaged passport, so you're looking at the Fast Track service - within 1 week of application.

So the 'Premium Service' (make appointment, get passport within 4 hours once application is accepted is not an option open to the OP.

The Fast Track service means your passport is delivered to your home address within 1 week of application being accepted.

So the OP would have to make an appointment and then visit her nearest Passport Customer Service Centre (7 locations throughout the country) before having any chance of getting a passport.

It's Saturday today so the earliest she'd be able to get an appointment is Monday and the holiday is this coming Friday.

So I'd agree it is possible, but pretty unlikely.

Pollycat

alanrowell wrote: »

https://www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-urgently

See the "Premium 1-day service" section

Pollycat wrote: »

the 'Premium Service' (make appointment, get passport within 4 hours once application is accepted is not an option open to the OP.

not an option for "Replace a lost, stolen or damaged adult passport".

This is another option - go with your passport as it is and hope you can get away with it - but be prepared to be disappointed:

C_Mababejive wrote: »

The last time i did a Paris/Versaille n all that coach trip they didnt even check my passport either there or back. Same when i did a Chrismas market coach tour. Passport control on coaches via Dover is rather casual. In fact border controls at Dover are very casual in many respects which is why the country is as it is..is the passport totally knacked or is it not too bad? Bring som other form of ID/passport/EHIC etc ?

Not sure what would happen if you got all the way across the Channel and then wasn't allowed in to France.

Voyager2002

The cost of getting a replacement passport that quickly is likely to be more than the total cost of the holiday. Up to you, but not something I would do personally.

Don't waste your time going to a travel agent: all they could do is tell you that you ought to get a new one, but cannot possibly know what would happen if you actually travelled with it.

In practice, I think you have a good chance of being allowed to travel. Passport checks are not terribly thorough, and far more attention is paid to people coming into the UK than to those going from Britain to France. So if the holiday is non-refundable, that is what I would do. Be prepared for detailed questioning on the way home, so bring the other documents you mentioned: they are not valid travel documents but would help to convince British border people that you should be allowed back home.

totallybored

Pollycat wrote: »

Not sure what would happen if you got all the way across the Channel and then wasn't allowed in to France.

I don't think anyone checks your passport on the French side do they on the way out? I don't recall anyone ever looking once I've driven off the ferry. There is sometimes a French guy in the box checking at Dover but on most occasions I've not been stopped.

I'd risk taking the damaged passport. It'll be easier getting to France without anyone looking and then on the way back just have other ID. I knew someone as a student who got back in with their student union card and blockbuster card.