Urgent passport conundrum

[Simpo Two]

I'm off to France soon for 10 days, and my passport expires on 25 October 2025.
We just tried to do a check-in for the ferry and it rejected it - despite the fact the passport doesn't expire until October.
However the date of issue was 25 March 2015 - more than 10 years ago.

Is that six months extra normal, and do I need to get a new passport before Saturday? If so, does that mean a visit to Peterborough tomorrow or can it be done online? Thanks!


ETA I very rarely travel abroad so is it possible just to pay a bit extra for an short extension?

Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 7th May 17:37

[isaldiri]

Simpo Two said:

I'm off to France soon for 10 days, and my passport expires on 25 October 2025.
We just tried to do a check-in for the ferry and it rejected it - despite the fact the passport doesn't expire until October.
However the date of issue was 25 March 2015 - more than 10 years ago.

Is that six months extra normal, and do I need to get a new passport before Saturday? If so, does that mean a visit to Peterborough tomorrow or can it be done online? Thanks!

Um... i think you're in a bit of a fix tbh. there has been quite a lot of blurb in the news about passports needing to be issued less than 10 years ago when you enter the EU.

[jeremyc]

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/en...

gov.uk said:

Passport validity requirements

France follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must:

• have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago
• have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area (the expiry date does not need to be within 10 years of the date of issue)

[TownIdiot]

There is a premium service but you need to book an appointment

So I'd be doing that now, with my fingers crossed.

[Oso]

You should be able to get a same day appointment for a new passport in the next few days.

[stevemcs]

I presume you have failed on the 10 year rule, I had to get mine replaced last minute and despite being 15 miles from Peterborough I ended up going to Liverpool to get it replaced,

[Simpo Two]

Thanks folks - at the end of the day the computer said 'no' so that was the end of it. Still bloody annoying that the expiry date of October is wrong because that's what you look at!

So I hit the internet and to my slight alarm found that Peterborough had only ONE appointment left before Saturday. 8.50am Friday. fk. Still, no choice, early start. But it gets better - the appointment isn't confirmed until you've finished the online application (seems a bit cart before horse) so go through the pages one by one putting data in and then get to the photo bit. fk, they want a photo too - and with every minute that passes some other bd might steal my slot. On the plus side, I have a small photo studio! Not easy to do a selfie to the standard required but I got it on the 3rd attempt, crop it - back to the application - luckily not timed out - upload photo, pay £222, all done, print off form. Then plan route, find car parks (as don't want to arrive with 1 min to spare and can't park), print out map of area with car parks, draw on routes...

And this morning we found out that the driver's car seriously failed its MOT... so he had to stump up £700+ for a hire car.

Can I be arsed to go abroad again? Frankly it seems like too much stress!

[jfdi]

Don't know if it's changed from when I had to do a last minute (actually a day late) passport at Durham many years ago. The appointment time is when they see you then it's a 4 hour wait before you can pick up your passport. Enjoy the delights of Peterborough.

[Simpo Two]

jfdi said:

Don't know if it's changed from when I had to do a last minute (actually a day late) passport at Durham many years ago. The appointment time is when they see you then it's a 4 hour wait before you can pick up your passport. Enjoy the delights of Peterborough.

That's right. I wonder if it really takes 4 hours for the machine to spit out a passport?

[jfdi]

I'd exhausted the delights of Durham after 3 hours, so despite the big threatening do not ask until after 4 hours have passed signs plastered all over the passport office, I asked after 3 hours 15 minutes and it was ready.

[Simpo Two]

jfdi said:

I'd exhausted the delights of Durham after 3 hours, so despite the big threatening do not ask until after 4 hours have passed signs plastered all over the passport office, I asked after 3 hours 15 minutes and it was ready.

Thanks. Perhaps one day they'll send a text when it's cooked!

[Pizzaeatingking]

Simpo Two said:

Thanks folks - at the end of the day the computer said 'no' so that was the end of it. Still bloody annoying that the expiry date of October is wrong because that's what you look at!

So I hit the internet and to my slight alarm found that Peterborough had only ONE appointment left before Saturday. 8.50am Friday. fk. Still, no choice, early start. But it gets better - the appointment isn't confirmed until you've finished the online application (seems a bit cart before horse) so go through the pages one by one putting data in and then get to the photo bit. fk, they want a photo too - and with every minute that passes some other bd might steal my slot. On the plus side, I have a small photo studio! Not easy to do a selfie to the standard required but I got it on the 3rd attempt, crop it - back to the application - luckily not timed out - upload photo, pay £222, all done, print off form. Then plan route, find car parks (as don't want to arrive with 1 min to spare and can't park), print out map of area with car parks, draw on routes...

And this morning we found out that the driver's car seriously failed its MOT... so he had to stump up £700+ for a hire car.

Can I be arsed to go abroad again? Frankly it seems like too much stress!

In fairness, it's much less stressful with a little planning!

[Simpo Two]

Pizzaeatingking said:

In fairness, it's much less stressful with a little planning!

My friend's car is indeed inexcusable; it's a rolling scrapheap. However in my own defence I offer Exhibit A!



My fault for assuming that a written expiry date of Oct 2025 meant an expiry date of Oct 2025!

[Mazinbrum]

Simpo Two said:

Pizzaeatingking said:

In fairness, it's much less stressful with a little planning!

My friend's car is indeed inexcusable; it's a rolling scrapheap. However in my own defence I offer Exhibit A!



My fault for assuming that a written expiry date of Oct 2025 meant an expiry date of Oct 2025!

Do you live in a cave or something? Been loads of publicity about this.

[Simpo Two]

Mazinbrum said:

Do you live in a cave or something? Been loads of publicity about this.

Loads of publicity where? Was it in the news for a few weeks?

I last needed a passport 10 years ago; it's not a scene I actively monitor for change.

[craig1912]

Simpo Two said:

Loads of publicity where? Was it in the news for a few weeks?

I last needed a passport 10 years ago; it's not a scene I actively monitor for change.

Yes loads of publicity. Karen’s moaning when they aren’t let on a plane. Simon Calder banging on about it every week.

Your travel document must

have been issued within the previous 10 years the day you enter the EU
be valid until the end of your stay plus an additional three months.”

[ninepoint2]

Simpo Two said:

Mazinbrum said:

Do you live in a cave or something? Been loads of publicity about this.

Loads of publicity where? Was it in the news for a few weeks?

I last needed a passport 10 years ago; it's not a scene I actively monitor for change.

As said above about caves and publicity about this, it's been fairly well known since Brexit, you do appear to be a bit Dim-witted TBH

Edited by ninepoint2 on Wednesday 7th May 22:30

[DJC76]

Simpo Two said:

Pizzaeatingking said:

In fairness, it's much less stressful with a little planning!

My friend's car is indeed inexcusable; it's a rolling scrapheap. However in my own defence I offer Exhibit A!



My fault for assuming that a written expiry date of Oct 2025 meant an expiry date of Oct 2025!

It does for the purposes of entering the U.K, the country you’re entering is free to decide otherwise. I feel for you but I am really quite surprised you haven’t heard of the ten year rule it’s had a lot of coverage. You’re not the first to fall foul of it if that’s any consolation

[stevemcs]

You can park opposite the passport office, its just up the road from the football stadium, it might be easier to come down oundle road, then as you come under the railway bridge you turn left into the carpark. There isn't much to do, its a 5 minute walk to queensgate or if you like steam trains you can catch the train to wansford on nene valley railway.

[daqinggregg]

“Can I be arsed to go abroad again? Frankly it seems like too much stress!”

All this hoo-ha, we're beginning to sound like the bloody continentals, it’s only a day out to get a passport.

WTF £222 for a passport, does it include a first class ticket to your destination of choice.