Dover to Calais

utab007

Benjus, Thanks for the info. Yes in theory both places are supposed to check, but in practice I think it depends how busy they are and a bit of luck I guess.

utab007

I guess if nothing else it will make the trip more exciting. Wish me luck!!

zerog

Your daughter is 6, and she is coming back to the (only?) country she is a citizen of. A British citizen must be allowed into the UK as long as there is sufficient proof of citizenship.

An expired British passport is still proof of British citizenship.** It is unlikely there will be any forms to fill in.

The previous poster's friend had to fill in a form because he was using someone else's passport.

Your biggest problem will be getting on the ferry to France. If it was a plane, you wouldn't be getting on for sure.

**You can give up or lose your citizenship, but I cannot conceive of any possible situation where this could happen to a 6-year-old born in the UK to British citizens born in the UK.

***Actually, presumably the photo is of a baby, so theoretically it could be possible that you left your real daughter in the UK and are bringing in some illegal who happens to look and speak the same way... but you could also do this before the passport had expired. But this sort of accusation only happens in North America, not in Europe.

peachyprice

You have to show passports for all passengers in the car when you check in for the ferry.

If you have children in the car they also call out their names and expect them to answer.

You stand little chance of leaving the UK.

utab007

Zerog, I don't have the expired passport. It was sent off for renewal. Other than a telling off am I risking any fines or other action by trying this?

peachyprice

zerog wrote: »

Y
An expired British passport is still proof of British citizenship.** It is unlikely there will be any forms to fill in.

They don't have the expired passport, it's at the passport office but won't be renewed in time.

worried_jim

Hide you daughter in the car like they did with Roland on Grange Hill! (showing my age).

utab007

I remember grange hill. Brings back memories, we must be a similar age, but I don't remember that episode on the ferry. What was the outcome with Roland?

martinthebandit

We use the Dover Calais ferry two or three times per year, last time was early August.

Before you get to the ferry check in you have to drive past the French passport control kiosk, I have never done more than stop and hold up all the passports of the people in the car, the French customs guy just waves you on. I don't think you will have any problem.

Coming back will be different, UK border agency will check all your passports and you will be held up, for how long for though I have no idea.

tooldle

We are recently back from France, travelling on the tunnel. Passports were checked on both the outward and return journey. Daughter also had to come forwards and be checked (sat in back of van).
I have been through on occasions when both border control booths were open i.e. UK and French, both checked our documents and this was on the Dover side.
I thought other forms of ID can be accepted when travelling within the EU, but also thought these must have a photograph. Edited to add, UK is not part of this agreement