Before you jet off on holiday, it's important to make sure you have a valid, in-date passport to avoid running into any problems at the airport. While passports are essential to flying abroad, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of an upcoming trip. As a result, many of us are guilty of neglecting to renew our passports until the last minute. Unfortunately, last-minute renewals have the potential to put a damper on your holiday — with lengthy processing times, meaning you may even be left with no passport to fly with!

Thankfully, applying for a passport renewal is a relatively straightforward process. At Trtl Travel, we've got you covered with our comprehensive guide to everything there is to know about renewing your passport on time — so you can ace your travel game and set off without setbacks.

What is a passport?

A passport is a legal travel document issued by a country's government. A valid passport is required for all international travel and is used as proof of identity to certify a citizen's nationality when they enter a new country.

These small booklets include your legal name, date of birth, place of birth, nationality, and the passport's date of issue and expiry date. Your passport will also contain a photo of you alongside your signature and unique passport number.

An adult UK passport is valid for ten years, while a child's is valid for five years.

When to renew a UK passport

Before booking any travel abroad, you should check the expiry date on your passport. Each new passport will have a new number, meaning you'll need to replace your expired passport before applying for a visa or providing passport information for any planned activities or bookings.

Many countries require a UK passport to have at least six months until expiry after you leave to enter, meaning it's essential to renew your passport early if you notice that it's getting close to expiring.

Additionally, with the UK now being separated from the European Union due to Brexit, you will require at least three months on your passport after your departure date if you plan on entering any EU countries — meaning it's crucial to give yourself plenty of time to renew your passport before heading overseas.

How early can you renew a passport?

It's recommended to renew your passport within nine months of the expiration date, as this gives you plenty of time to wait for your new passport to be processed and delivered before you fly. But, if you're worried about forgetting to renew your passport as it nears its expiry, a UK passport can be renewed at any time — regardless of its expiry date.

How to renew a UK passport online

If you're wondering how to renew your UK passport, there are two ways: online or via post. Renewing online is a convenient way to ensure you secure your shiny new passport without even having to leave your home. To do this, you'll need to submit some forms on the GOV.UK website. 

To complete your online passport renewal, you'll need:

• Your current passport
• A digital photo meeting Passport Office requirements
• Your debit/credit card

The process is simple, with the forms walking you through each step to complete your application quickly and easily. An online renewal can also save you the hassle of tracking down a photo booth to submit your passport photo, as you can upload a digital photo. 

However, it’s still important to ensure that the image chosen meets the HM Passport Office requirements. Otherwise, your passport renewal could risk being denied. For this reason, we would recommend hunting down a supermarket photo booth — just to be safe!

Once you've submitted your renewal application, you'll need to post your old passport to the HM Passport Office to be voided before your new passport arrives — but don’t worry, your old passport will be sent back to you separately.

How to renew a UK passport by post

The alternative — and more traditional — way to renew your passport is by post. To do this, you'll need a paper application form that can be collected from your local Post Office or delivered to your address after requesting a copy from the Passport Advice Line via telephone at 0300 222 0000.

To renew your passport by post, you'll need:

• Your current passport
• Two identical printed photos that meet Passport Office requirements
• Debit/credit card or cheque

The application forms must be completed and submitted to the HM Passport Office. Alternatively, if you prefer to ensure that all forms are filled out correctly ahead of time to prevent any potential problems with your application, the Post Office offers a Check and Send service, which means Post Office staff will proofread your application before you submit it.

This additional service will cost you £16 on top of your regular passport renewal fees. Once you have submitted your application, any supporting documents will be returned to you by post alongside your old passport, separately from your new passport.

What documents do you need to renew a passport?

Luckily, renewing your passport is far easier than applying for a new passport. There are only two supporting documents you'll need for your application: your old passport and any valid passports you have from other countries.

Other than this, you'll need to provide your phone number or email address, depending on whether you're applying via post or online, along with your home address. This information will be used to verify your identity.

Photo requirements for a UK passport

The dreaded passport photo has been a holiday preparation rite of passage for decades, but these mildly unflattering images are vital to applying for a passport renewal. Your passport photo is used to identify you as you cross borders into another country, and it's crucial that this image accurately represents how you look. 

Because these photos ensure that the person using your passport is you, the Passport Office has strict requirements for how these images should be presented. Passport images must be:

• Clear and in-focus
• In colour
• At least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall
• At least 50 KB and no more than 10 MB
• Free from the presence of 'red eye'
• Containing no objects or other people
• Taken against a white background

It's important to make sure that you're framed correctly in the photo to avoid it being rejected by the Passport Office, which could prolong the wait for a new passport. You should:

• Be facing forward and looking directly at the camera
• Have a plain expression with your mouth closed
• Have your eyes open and visible
• Not have hair covering your eyes
• Not have a head covering (except for religious or medical reasons)
• Not have anything covering your face, including glasses
• Not have any shadows on your face or behind you

How much does it cost to renew a UK passport?

The cost of a passport renewal depends on whether you renew an adult or children's passport. Renewal fees also vary depending on whether you submit an application online or use the postal service. We've broken down the latest fees below.

Adult

If you're renewing a standard 34-page adult passport online, the 2024 fee is £88.50. For a 54-page frequent-traveller passport, the fee is £100.50 when renewing online. 

The fee is slightly higher if you submit a postal application, at £100 for a regular 34-page adult passport renewal and £112 for a 54-page frequent-traveller passport.

Child

To renew your child's passport online, you must pay £57.50 for a standard 34-page passport and £69.50 for an upgraded 54-page frequent-traveller passport.

Similarly, if you choose to renew your child's passport via post, you'll be looking at a standard fee of £69 and an upgraded fee of £81.

Does your passport number change when you renew?

When you renew your passport, your old model will be voided, and you will be issued an entirely new booklet with a new passport number. This is why replacing your passport before booking any travel is essential, as you will often need to provide your passport number when booking accommodation or applying for visas.

If you renew your passport early, when does it expire?

While it used to be the case that you could add any "leftover" months to your new passport if you renewed early, this is sadly no longer the case. As of September 2018, your new passport will expire ten years from the date it was issued — regardless of how early you choose to renew.

What should I do if my passport is lost or damaged?

If your old passport has been lost or stolen, you must contact the HM Passport Office and have it cancelled as soon as possible. This will ensure that someone isn't able to use your passport to impersonate you, should they find it. You can cancel your lost passport online using the GOV.UK website, meaning it's quick and easy.

The Passport Office will immediately cancel your passport and notify the National Crime Agency and Interpol, which will help flag any attempts at using your old passport. You will then need to wait for the Passport Office to confirm that your old passport has been cancelled before applying for a new one.

The process for replacing a stolen or lost passport is slightly different to a simple renewal. You will need someone to confirm your identity if you're using the online application service. Alternatively, if you're applying for a new passport via post, you'll need someone to countersign your application form and one copy of your passport photo.

Sometimes, you may also need to attend an online or in-person interview before your new passport is issued. This is a formality to verify your identity, and you will be given notice beforehand if this is the case.

For a damaged passport, you will need to apply for a renewal if the damage means that:

• Any of your personal details are difficult to read
• The laminated page is peeling and could be tampered with
• Your passport is water-damaged or stained
• Pages from your passport are torn or missing
• The electronic chip is exposed or damaged

If none of the above applies to you, it is still possible to travel with your damaged passport. However, you should still aim to replace your passport as soon as possible before the damage worsens.

Can I travel while my passport is being processed?

Unfortunately, you can’t use your old passport to travel after you have applied for a renewal. This means you will need to wait until you have received your new passport before leaving the country or boarding any flights. This is because your new passport will have a unique passport number, different from the one found on your old passport, meaning that you can't simply "update" the expiration date on your existing passport.

Can you track the status of your passport renewal?

If you applied for your renewal online or used the Post Office's digital Check and Send service, you can quickly check the progress of your application using the GOV.UK website and inputting your application reference number.

Alternatively, if you applied via post, you can call the Passport Advice Line on 0300 222 0000 to track your application. Use the 10-digit barcode number from your application form or the nine-digit number on your receipt if you applied at the Post Office.

Are there any changes to passports since Brexit?

The UK officially left the European Union on the 31st of January 2020. As a result, there have been some changes to how your passport works — and even how it looks! The new, post-Brexit passport is a deep, almost-black blue, replacing the traditional burgundy passport we're all familiar with. Your new passport will also no longer have the words ‘European Union’ stamped on it. However, old-style passports that are still valid are fine to continue using until they need to be renewed.

Additionally, since the UK is no longer an EU member state, British passports must have at least three months of validity left from the date you depart from your holiday destination — meaning it's crucial to keep track of your expiry date if you're planning a European solo trip.

What if you have an unexpired visa in your old passport?

If you have previously applied for a visa and still have some time left before it expires, you can still use it with your new passport. When you renew your passport, your old model - including unused visas - will be returned. Make sure you bring your old passport when you travel, and you'll be able to continue using your visa as normal until it runs out.

What do you do if there are errors in your new passport?

Noticing a spelling error on your brand-new passport can be stressful, and — unfortunately — it is a reasonably big deal. If you spot something that isn't right on your new passport, contacting the HM Passport Office as quickly as possible is important. They will be able to advise you on the correct next steps to take to replace your passport.

Errors on your passport will likely mean that you cannot use your passport as a form of identification or a way to travel between countries. Until you receive your correct replacement, you will have to wait before scheduling any international travel.

Enjoy stress-free travel with Trtl Travel 

Renewing your passport can seem like a chore, but forgetting to do so can quickly turn your dream getaway into a logistical nightmare.

Make sure you're getting the beauty sleep you deserve, wherever you are, with our Trtl pillow — designed to leave you feeling refreshed and rested when you reach your destination. Whether you're spending a few hours in the airport during a layover or trying to catch a nap on a short-haul flight, enjoy comfort and relaxation with our patented travel pillow.

To find out more helpful tips and tricks for all things travel, check out our blog page.