Passport Requirements

[button moon]

Do i need to make an appointment to get a renewed passport from a passport office or can you just queue on the day?

[dzug]

Strictly speaking you need an appointment but if you just turn up (preferably by 8am or whenever they open) and give a sob story about having to travel urgently you'll probably be seen.

But unless you NEED it urgently save yourself the extra fee and apply online or by post.

[Buenchico]

An appointment is essential:
http://www.passport.gov.uk/faqs/faq.asp?strAre aNo=321_13&intelement=927

Chris

[Buenchico]

Further to Dzug's answer:

When I last renewed my passport, I used the 'same day' service, at Peterborough. I was outside the office when they opened and I saw someone turned away because he didn't have an appointment. They gave him the phone number and told him to ring it, saying that they might be able to give him an appointment later in the day but they didn't think it would be possible. (I never saw him again, so I don't know whether he was seen or not. However, it would have obviously been better if he'd phoned before travelling tp Peterborough).

Chris

[dzug]

Well I was at Newport a year or so back (at 8am, with an appointment) and there were one or two people without who were seen.

So I guess it depends on how busy they are. Definitely no guarantee of being seen and certainly much better to have an appointment.

If it's to fly to Dublin (your post below) then it might be cheaper to book another flight with a more customer-friendly airline!

[Buenchico]

Dzug's experiences are more recent than mine, so his information might be more accurate.

The problem at the Peterborough office was that security staff (who had nothing to do issuing passports) were manning the doors and not admitting anyone who hadn't got an appointment. So it was impossible for anyone to give their 'sob story' to a passport official because they couldn't get to see one. All that the security staff were authorised to do was to provide people with the phone number.

Chris