Post Office urges anyone using their passport in summer to check date | Personal Finance | Finance
A Post Office postmaster has urged people to check their passports ahead of travelling abroad this summer.
Richard Fleetwood, postmaster at Town Centre Washington Post Office, said many people are simply unaware of the rules around passport validity and the specific requirements of the destination where they are going.
He said: “My top tip to all travellers is simple – plan ahead. Be sure to check your passport’s expiry date and validity before booking your trip and make sure to always review the travel rules for your destination.
“Staying on top of your passport expiry date can save you a lot of stress and disappointment when the trip does arrive. We would recommend that people check their passport and visit their local Post Office early if they need a new passport.”
It’s important to check the country where you are going as for many areas, you need to have a certain period left on your passport to travel there.
For example, to go to any of the so-called Schengen area countries, including the EU, you must have a passport issued in the last 10 years and have at least three months left on the date of your departure. Schengen nations offer border-free travel to EU citizens.
The team at the Town Centre Washington Post Office handle more than 70 passport applications a month on average. The process can be easier than people think.
Mr Fleetwood shared one story from his branch. He said: “A couple weeks ago a customer came in asking how to renew his passport as it had expired, and he was going on holiday the next month.
“He was worried he had left it too late and wouldn’t be able to go away with his friends. Our team talked him through the process through our Check & Send service.
“He came back to store with everything he needed later that day, and within 10 minutes we had completed his application, checked and sent it. He came back with his new passport to thank us – he couldn’t believe how quick and easy we made it.”
The Check & Send service is a process where the Post Office will complete and send off your application digitally, with no need to fill in any paper forms.
The service is available at 1,100 branches. The cost of a standard adult passport renewal ias £110.50, which includes the £16 Check & Send fee.
You can also renew your passport online through the Government website. The cost is £94.50 to renew or replace your passport online or £107 if you do it with the paper form.
To renew online, you will need to have to hand a digital photo of yourself, payment details from your credit or debit card, and details of your current passport.
