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How to renew your British passport

Often in live-in care we get so busy with day to day living and routines that it is easy to forget something as important as renewing a passport. Many people from the UK have homes abroad and travel back and forth, so there may come a time when we have to renew a British passport.

It is important that we start the renewal process in good time because, even though they are normally done in time, there can be delays to the process. According to the government website it can take up to three weeks to renew a passport.

In reality it should only take about ten days to renew, but it is never a good idea to leave this until the last minute as delays can, and often do happen.

How long is my passport valid for?

An adult UK passport is valid for 10 years. However, if you visit the EU, the passport must have at least three months left on it before expiring. This is noted from the day you intend to return home.

An important note here is that you should never book any trip until your renewed passport is back with you because the number of the passport will change and you may have been asked for it when you make your booking. 

How can I renew my passport?

There are three ways to renew your passport:

  • Online
  • Paper version
  • In person

Renewing in person is a good way if you need to do this urgently.

Online

This is the cheapest and easiest way to renew a passport. There is an online form to complete, and you need to upload a digital photo. You will be asked to pay using a debit or credit card and then send the old passport to the address provided.

The renewal costs £82.50 for an adult and can take up to 10 weeks to complete the process.

By post

You can pick up the form at any Post Office, complete it, enclose two passport photos of yourself and add a cheque for the amount. You can also pay by debit or credit card.

To do this at a post office will set you back an additional £16.00.

Final thoughts

Don’t be tempted to leave your passport renewal to the last possible minute as delays can happen which may leave you unable to return to your home abroad, or worse, unable to return to the UK to work. 

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