Travel time. You pick up the passport and ready to fly the next day, but you see that the passport has expired. What to do? You could panic. You could cancel your trip. Or you could begin the same day UK passport process at the Passport Customer Service Her Majesty Passport Service). When filling out the application, if you start in the morning, the passport should be ready by later on in the day, and this should allay some stress. Overall, the process is straightforward, if followed correctly.
There are two types of services, Premium and Fast Track services. Moreover, there names are false friends, if you are looking to get your same day UK passport within four hours, the premium services is the best option. Simply, the premium service is set up for citizens whose passports were accepted, and the processing time is four hours and scheduled pick up will be at the Customer Service Centre for collection.
Conversely, the fast track service takes half a fortnight and is sent directly to your home address. Both are accessible, it just depends on your most immediate needs. However, below will be a more detailed guide to apply for a UK passport, if passport is completely filled out, and if passport is expired:
- Pick up a passport from one of the major mail offices, and pick up more than one, for the inevitable mistakes on the form.
- Always use black ink, no exceptions this stands for an urgent, second, or first time passport
- When applying for a new passport, the correct photos are essential:
- Two recent identical photos of yourself
- Each photo has to be 45mm high x 35mm wide ( no tears or creases, or photo enhancement )
- You should not smile, no shadows, pets, no sunglasses, or hair covering your face, no side poses
- Stare directly into the camera
- Countersigned photos, only apply to those who are applying for the first time ( Her Majesty Passport Office employees, are not to be used as countersignatory )
- The photo is against a plain grey or plain cream background
- Photos have to be identical
- No reflection or red-eye and in full color not black and white
- Certificates are sometimes required for more information and verification
- Birth certificates, the original and the copy
- Naturalization certificates
- Marriage
- Birth
- Government Fees and Processing Times- As cited before, the Premium Passport service fees can be same day and up to the second day. Secondly, Fast Track Services, are up to a week with prices listed below.
- Premium Passport Services
- Adults 32-page- £ 128.00
- Children – £ 106.50
- Fast Track Passport Services
- Adult Renewal/32page- £ 103.00
- Child Renewal- £ 87.00
- Child 1st application- £ 87.00
- One thing to note, that regular services are £ 80.00 + VAT ( taxes ) and express fees are £ 150.00 + VAT ( taxes )
For the most part, this is a general outlook, how to how to apply for a passport in the UK, however, there are some stipulations that apply, especially for those traveling outside of the UK and need a same day UK passport.
When traveling outside of the UK, most countries or principalities would like to have the passport renewed six months before your date of expiration. But if traveling and its an urgent need, there are services in the UK, that will fulfill this need:
- The first form is called the Identity and Passport Service (IPS ) form. Overall the time spent is 40 minutes, plan accordingly. Honesty is paramount, and when signing, it must fit in the approved box, or it may be delayed.
- Locate the old passport, with 2 passport size photographs 45 mm wide x 35 mm high and any substantial supporting evidence that can help expedite your same day UK passport.
- Once completed, there are three options, to send by courier, special delivery, or hand delivery. After reception and is approved, it is sent to the office at Victoria.
- Once completed, it is ready for pick up.
Traveling between countries should not be a haggle, it is meant to be haggle free. Review the steps above, plan ahead, but, there are capable services to manage your same day UK passport ( urgent ), renewal, or first time passport demands.
