Expired Passport

Woofbag

Yikes! Stupid me has just realised my passport has expired & I'm flying to Spain in a few weeks. The passport office say my only option is to travel to London to renew. Can anyone recommend a company that can do this on your behalf? I've heard of one but they ask for £100 plus VAT to do it. I'm self employed, so along with my travel costs, there's the loss of earnings for a day spent in London. Would really appreciate any recommendations! Otherwise, it's a trip to London & all that that entails! Here's hoping!

meheraltaf

I think you could do it online (I assume you are a British passport holder). I faced with a similar problem , I am based in Leeds and didnt have the time to wait for my passport to be renewed or even time to travel to London, but I am not British,but the Consulate did accept postal services and also issued me with a letter stating that my passort has been submitted for renewal which I used for my travel purposes.I am sure online facility would be cheaper in your case,I know of only one website though
Since I am not clear when you plan to travel will leave you this link for further information
http://www.ukpa.gov.uk/faqs/faq.asp?strAreaNo=321_4&intelement=184

THIRZAH

There are passport offices in other towns which you might find easier to visit.

We had this problem with our daughter a couple of years ago and she took her passport to an office in Durham. Because there were a couple of weeks before she was due to go on holiday they posted the passport to her which cost less than getting a new passport there and then

rchddap1

If you don't want to go into one of the offices (Peterborough is another) you could try the Post Office's check & send service. I'm not sure about guaranteeing the return of your passport though. You could find the phone number for your local PO and ask them...or check out the post office website of course.

grumbler

http://www.ukpa.gov.uk/_3_urgent/3_4days.asp:

The Fast Track Service is a guaranteed one-week service. Subject to all the required checks being completed satisfactorily, UKPS guarantee to despatch your new passport by courier to be received by you in 1 week.

I cannot find this on the website, but in the application pack (available from selected POs) they write that 'a fast track collection service is available'. I called them and was told that it costs extra £10-20 (don't remember). 0870 5210410

loobs40

My ex husband discovered two days before travelling to Greece, that my daughter's passport had expired. He managed to book the very last emergency slot at the Cardiff passport office for the next day at 8.30am and lost a whole days work for the 400 mile round trip

snigger.........

rchddap1

Thanks for the update Grumbler. I wasn't sure and so didn't want to post bad information. I thought it was guaranteed, but always better safe than sorry as they say.

grumbler

rchddap1 wrote:

Thanks for the update Grumbler. I wasn't sure and so didn't want to post bad information. I thought it was guaranteed, but always better safe than sorry as they say.

I did not mean to correct or update your information. Actually certain Post Offices and some other agences offer two-week service, that is not guaranteed 'during periods od peak demand', as you wrote. Guaranteed one-week Fast Track service is available only at passport office counters.

pin

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/content2?catId=1500005&mediaId=load102045
(about the check and send service)

http://www.passport.gov.uk/_2_howtoapply/2_what_cost.asp#currentfees
(current fees)

http://www.passport.gov.uk/downloads/FE_19P356_enc.pdf

Woofbag

I've found these sites that will do it for you - you post all your paperwork to them & they go in person to the Passport Office...
https://www.visaservice.co.uk
https://www.travcour.com
They seem to be the most reasonably (!) priced...works out at between £40 & £50 more than it would to go in person yourself. However, if I was to pay £25 for the train, £5 to park & the loss of earnings for the day, it doesn't seem too bad. Being the suspcious person I am, I checked with the Passport Office & it's legit! I have promised myself not to be in this position in 10 years time!

nelly_2

I thought Liverpool was the main place, I went there and got it back in about 5 days.

Cost 90 quid if I remember right, charming isnt it. This country doesnt even let you leave for 2 weeks with out stinging us.