Renewing A Passport

[smurfchops]

My passport runs out in 2015 and I have no plans as yet to travel abroad next year. With all the problems at the passport office, would it be a good idea to renew now/earlier than 2015 ?

[factor-fiction]

I don't think the problems are that bad. When in 2015 does it run out? I'm not sure whether they allow you to do it 15 months early for example- and if they do whether they then give you 10 years + 15 months I'm not sure

[jno]

I *think* you can renew 9 months early and they credit you with the unexpired time, so no harm in doing it then.

[Buenchico]

Any unexpired time on your existing passport (up to a maximum of 9 months) is automatically added to the validity of a new one. So if, for example,your passport expires on 20/04/15 (my birthday!), your new one will be valid until 20/04/25. So you won't lose anything by applying early.

[Fibonacci]

"Time left on an existing passport is added to your new one - up to a maximum of 9 months."

https://www.gov.uk/renew-adult-passport

[DJHawkes]

I sent for a renewal early June and it arrived within 10 working days.

[jno]

no problems with submitting a photo of Garth, Dot?

[mikey4444]

If you don't have any plans to holiday broad in 2015, why waste money renewing you Passport now ?

Go to Cornwall instead...fab weather, palm trees, proper pasties, Real Ale, wonderful beaches, and stunning scenery...and no faffing around at airports !

[jno]

no plans "as yet", Mikey. Some people take last-minute breaks abroad... if they have passports.

[heathfield]

You also need your passport in many cases for ID. No harm in getting a new one early.

[catswhiskas]

Daughter just got new psssport , took 4 weeks only ad it wad renewal.

[catswhiskas]

Sorry that sounds as though I, m drunk, typos !

[sddsddean]

Agree with DJH. I did mine a couple of weeks ago online (as it was a renewal, due to expire in Jan 2015). 4 simple pages to fill in, print out a declaration and sign it, pay online with a credit card, send off the form with 2 photos and 'old' passport. Sent off on Tuesday, came back a week Thursday (7 working days). Gained an extra month too...now valid to Feb 2025.