Don't score an own goal - renew your passport
Football fans heading to the European Championships this summer should check their passport is valid before travelling, the IPS warns.
As the tournament kicks off in Ukraine and Poland in just two weeks (8 June), fans of the beautiful game are reminded to leave plenty of time to apply for a new passport as the peak period for UK passport applications has begun.
Customers are also reminded that they can carry over up to nine months remaining on their existing passport, so there is no need to wait until the last minute to renew it. Renewing in plenty of time means customers could avoid a last minute dash to the passport office and save at least £26, and as much as £52 on the premium one-day service.
Check expiry date
Sarah Rapson, Chief Executive of the Identity and Passport Service, said: ‘This summer is an exciting sports-filled one, but don’t let the lack of a passport spoil your fun if you’re heading out to watch the football in Europe.
‘Check the expiry date now and, if you need a new one, allow plenty of time for it to arrive.’
Over the next three months IPS will process more than 1.8 million passport applications including more than half a million children’s passports, and about 1.2 million adult passports.
A straightforward passport renewal using the Post Office’s Check and Send Service, or IPS’s own postal or online services takes around three weeks and includes a secure courier delivery to the customer’s home or workplace.
Renewing your passport through the post or online costs £77.50. Doing it through the Post Office’s Check and Send service costs an additional £8.75.
Customers needing a passport in a rush can also use IPS’s Premium one day service and one week fast track service, but these are more expensive at £129.50 and £112.50 respectively and you will need to make an appointment.
If you need a new passport, the advice is to allow at least three weeks for it to arrive and longer if you are applying for the first time.