Renew Childs passport or wait til 16

Cunnidc1

Hi, my 15 year old son's passport is about to expire and I was wondering whether I should wait until his 16th birthday in May and get him an adult passport instead. We have no plans to travel until July.

Obviously the adult PP is more money but it lasts 10 years instead of 5. Just wondering if there are any pros or cons I hadn't considered. Appreciate your thoughts.

peachyprice

I believe if you apply within 3 weeks of his birthday they'll issue an adult one. It's much better value to do it if you can leave it that late. There are no drawbacks at all as long as you're sure you won't be needing it.

MUM40

You would be better to ring them and ask the question. It's better to renew before the expires x

unforeseen

Although the child passport would be valid for the full 5 years it will be cheaper to wait and get an adult one

peachyprice

MUM40 wrote: »

You would be better to ring them and ask the question. It's better to renew before the expires x

Ask them what? You can renew 3 weeks before 16th birthday and get an adult passport or you can renew more than 3 weeks before and get a child. It's all down to personal preference.

Not much point in renewing before expiry and paying £50 for a 5 year one when OP can wait until end April/beginning of May and pay £72 for a full 10 year one when they're not going to need it until July.

Mojisola

Cunnidc1 wrote: »

Hi, my 15 year old son's passport is about to expire and I was wondering whether I should wait until his 16th birthday in May and get him an adult passport instead. We have no plans to travel until July.

Obviously the adult PP is more money but it lasts 10 years instead of 5. Just wondering if there are any pros or cons I hadn't considered.

Will he want to be traveling with a passport that has a picture of his 15 year old self in it when he's in his early 20s, say, going abroad for business or on his honeymoon?

silvercar

Mojisola wrote: »

Will he want to be traveling with a passport that has a picture of his 15 year old self in it when he's in his early 20s, say, going abroad for business or on his honeymoon?

Most people don't care what their passport photo looks like, or see it as a source of amusement a few years later.

I doubt many pay out just because they don't like the photo.

peachyprice

Mojisola wrote: »

Will he want to be traveling with a passport that has a picture of his 15 year old self in it when he's in his early 20s, say, going abroad for business or on his honeymoon?

Unless he's going to be paying for it, tough!

Mojisola

peachyprice wrote: »

Not much point in renewing before expiry and paying £50 for a 5 year one when OP can wait until end April/beginning of May and pay £72 for a full 10 year one when they're not going to need it until July.

peachyprice wrote: »

Unless he's going to be paying for it, tough!

He will be paying for it because he'll be an adult.

peachy could spend £50 now (and save £22) and her son can get himself an adult passport in five years time.

smudge56

Makes no difference. Just depends whether you want to pay £46 or £72.50. If you renew it. It will be the same passport but with 5 years validity ( if there isstill has some validity on the current passport that will be added to the 5 years)
Personally I would do it now before it gets busy and save some money. ��

zagfles

silvercar wrote: »

Most people don't care what their passport photo looks like, or see it as a source of amusement a few years later.

I doubt many pay out just because they don't like the photo.

It's not "not liking" the photo that's the issue it's will he look like the photo when he's 25. When I was 25 I looked nothing like I did when I was 15.

Same obviously applies to baby photos when a child get to 5, but if border staff are on the lookout for terrorists, criminals etc they are unlikely to suspect a 5 year old.