Travelling With Children – Passports

When was the last time you took a close look at your passport? Probably it was the last time you went abroad!

Since the arrival of your children you may not have been abroad on holiday for quite a few years – so is your passport still valid? Have the children got passports?

Where Can I Apply?

You can apply for your passports online at https://www.gov.uk/browse/citizenship/passports  or alternatively at the Post Office

If you need to get passports for your children you can apply for one if:-

• your child is under 16 and one of the following:
• a British citizen
• a British overseas territories citizen
• a British overseas citizen

You can usually apply for a passport for your child if:

• they’re under 16
• you legally have ‘parental responsibility’ for them

You automatically have parental responsibility if you:

• are the child’s mother
• are the child’s father and are married to the child’s mother
• were married to the child’s mother when the child was born (or, in Scotland, when the mother became pregnant)
• have adopted the child (alone, or jointly)

Please make sure to check your passports well in advance of your holiday dates as you may not be allowed to travel if your passport has had ‘more than reasonable wear and tear’. Renewing or getting a first passport for your child/children can take quite some time.

 How Long Will It Take to Arrive?

It takes at least 3 weeks for a passport to arrive, so make sure to get your passports early.

Due to the increase in the number of renewals/first passports applications between April and September tend to take longer to process – so remember to apply well in advance.

What Do Passports Cost?

Children’s Passports cost £46 by post, or £54.75 using the Post Office Check and Send service and turnaround takes at least 3 weeks to get your child’s first passport

A standard adult passport costs £72.50 or £81.25 if you use the Post Office’s Passport Check & Send service

What Documents Do I Need?

To apply for a Child’s Passport you will need to send

• completed application form
• documents to prove your child’s identity
• documents to prove they are eligible for a British passport
• 2 pictures of your child
• Documents must be originals – photocopies are not acceptable

What Pictures are Acceptable?

• Pictures must be of your child alone
• Dummies are not allowed
• Neither is sitting on your knee even if your face is not shown.

Check your Application Progress

If you want to check you and your child’s passport applications progress you can do so 3 weeks after making your application by contacting Passport Adviceline

You will require either

• The barcode number from your application form/forms
• If you used Click and Send or applied at a Passport Customer Service Centre you will require the number of your receipt

You can contact Passport Adviceline at numbers below

Telephone: 0300 222 0000
Textphone: 0300 222 0222
Text Relay: 18001 0300 222 0000
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, 9am to 5:30pm

Now that all of that is taken care of, what’s next on the list?

Travelling with Children – Travel Insurance