Can I still use my current passport whilst applying for a new one, if it is still valid?

[Deleted User]

My current passport end date is 16th June 2024 so I know that I can use it (I believe) up until 16th January 2024. I am out of the country for the third week of October 2023, and then am hoping to go away from 24th to 29th December 2023. I then may need to go away at the start of February 2024. So I am thinking about the best time to apply for my new passport. I am prepared to pay the price for a one week fast track after my return in October. I have read on Google that I can use my current passport whilst my application for a new one is taking place (if that is the case perhaps I can use it for the December trip), but I have also read that I need to send my current passport off, so this suggests I cannot use it whilst applying for my new one.
Am I able to use the fast track service if my travel is not within one week of applying for fast track? Does anyone know of a phone number I can speak to a human to provide any answers? 
Can anyone please advise me on these questions as there are so many 'answers' on Google it is often difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff, and the Gov website only gives information about how to renew your passport. Many thanks in advance.

elsien

Gov.uk gives you contact details for general queries. How accurate it is in terms of timescales for a response, Lord only knows.

https://www.gov.uk/passport-advice-line

The fast track service doesn’t specify that you have to be within a week of travel, just that your passport is expiring - no timescale given. If you were going to look at the fast track route, you would need to check for appointments first because a little while ago they were booked up a long time ahead.
and yes, you do have to return your passport with the application for an ordinary renewal, so you wouldn’t be able to use it while you were waiting.

The important date on your passport for some countries isn’t when it ends, but the date of issue. Because you used to be able to add extra months on if you sent your passport in early and that’s been the cause of confusion with the EU. It’s effectively valid from 10 years from when it was issued, rather than what it says as the end date.

https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/eu-passport-renewal-expiry-rules-uk-aRaVG6j5PpyJ

tightauldgit

While your passport is probably still valid you have to send it in to the passport office as part of the renewal process so you won't physically have it in your possession if you renew online.

Whether the process is any different if you physically renew at an office I can't tell you. 

The one-week fast track just seems to say your passport should be expired or about to expire in order to use it but it's not clear what that actually means in terms of timeframe.

I'm not quite sure where you've got the 16th January date from that's 5 months before your end date. You need to be clear on when your passport was issued, when it's valid until, and the exact requirements of the country you are visiting. Some want 6 months on your passport so that would knock you back into December  

eskbanker

[Deleted User] said:

My current passport end date is 16th June 2024 so I know that I can use it (I believe) up until 16th January 2024.

Was it issued on 16 January 2014 or are you using some other calculation to reach that conclusion about use up to five months prior to expiry?  Where are you planning to travel to?

Brie

I'm not sure your comment about only being able to be used until 16 Jan.  As elsien says it depends on the issue date.  But it will also depend on where you are going.  If it's not EU then you may be able to use it right up to June.  Not all countries require 6 months the way the EU does.

eskbanker

Brie said:

Not all countries require 6 months the way the EU does.

The EU doesn't require six months either!

[Deleted User]

My passport start date was 13 January 2014 therefore I assume it is usable until 13th January 2024?

tightauldgit

[Deleted User] said:

My passport start date was 13 January 2014 therefore I assume it is usable until 13th January 2024?

It will be valid until the end of the 12th January 2024 but you also need to check the validity that the country you are visiting requires. For example, for the EU you need 3 months from the date of exiting the EU so you would have to be leaving the EU by 12th October 2023 for your passport to be valid for the trip.

Where are you going? It could well be that your passport won't work for your October trip and needs to be renewed before then. 

eskbanker

[Deleted User] said:

My passport start date was 13 January 2014 therefore I assume it is usable until 13th January 2024?

It isn't as simple as that - you can use it to enter the EU until that date (as long as you leave by 16 March 2024, three months prior to its expiry date), but rules for other countries will differ.

tightauldgit

In fact, I'd say given that you are within 6 months of your passport expiring then the best time to renew would be anytime now and then it's done and dusted. If you apply now you should have your new passport in your hand well before October and no need to worry about trying to squeeze in a renewal. 

eskbanker

tightauldgit said:

In fact, I'd say given that you are within 6 months of your passport expiring...

But they're not!

[Deleted User] said:

My current passport end date is 16th June 2024

As above, the most appropriate guidance will depend on which countries OP plans to visit....