passport

Both methods are quicker than the standard three-week service

Realising you need a new passport just before jetting off abroad can cause quite a headache. But fortunately, two surprisingly quick solutions could save your holiday plans.

Both options, available through the HM Passport Office, are ideal for when you’re in a rush for a passport, but believe the standard service, which takes around three weeks, won’t cut it in time. On occasion, the standard process may even take longer than three weeks if additional documents, information, or an interview are required.

Below, the Mirror has delved into two fast-track options available and how much they’ll cost you.

Option 1: One-day premium

The one-day premium service is exclusively for adults renewing their passports. Applicants must apply online and will be required to pay £222 or £235 for a 54-page frequent-traveller passport.

Once the application is submitted, an appointment is arranged, with the earliest available slot coming two days afterwards. Official Government advice adds: “You’ll need to hand in your old passport at your appointment.

“Your new passport will be ready to collect from the passport office four hours after your appointment.”

Option 2: One-week fast track

This second option is similarly open to anyone who needs to renew their passport. However, it is also accessible under the following circumstances:

• You need to get a child’s passport
• You need to change the personal details on a passport (your name, place of birth or gender)
• You need to replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport

The fast-track option comes in cheaper, costing £178 for an adult passport (£191 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport) or £145 for a child passport (or £158 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport). However, you can only secure an appointment the day after submitting your application.

The passport will generally land on your doormat one week afterwards. Neither service is available if you’re presently abroad or seeking your very first adult passport.

The Government’s guidance adds: “If you’ve already applied for a passport and have not received it yet, do not pay for an urgent passport. You will not get your passport sooner and you will be charged a £32 admin fee for each additional application.”

For further details, visit the Government’s website.

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NEW passport rules are causing chaos for more than one million people – and they start this week.

It was announced earlier this month that all dual national citizens will no longer be able to use their foreign passport to enter the UK.

Instead, from February 25, they must show their British passport to return to the country.

Anyone without one must instead pay for a “certificate of entitlement” that costs £589 and it attached to the passport.

Passengers trying to enter without either could face being banned from their flight and prevented from returning to the UK.

A Home Office spokesperson previously explained: “From February 25, 2026, all dual British citizens will need to present either a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement to avoid delays at the border.”

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It is thought as many as 1.2million people across England and Wales currently hold more than one passport.

This works out to just over two per cent of the population.

Yet the new rules have sparked fury due to the lack of notice given.

Many people currently living abroad have slammed the change as it doesn’t allow enough time to order a new passport.

Dual national Kara Przybylski, from Brisbane, doesn’t have a British passport, and said: “It sucks for people who have flights booked, the government should have allowed more time before it comes into effect.”

The UK government said last week that an expired British passport could be used as “alternative documentation.”

Yet this is at the airline’s discretion, so could still risk families being turned away at the border.

A Home Office official told Sun Travel: “We recognise that this is a significant change for carriers and travellers, but we have been clear on requirements for dual British citizens to travel with a valid British passport or Certificate of Entitlement, in line with those for all British citizens.

“At their own discretion, carriers can accept an expired British passport as alternative documentation.

“Separately, individuals who have previously had a British passport can apply for an emergency travel document if they urgently need to enter the UK.

The new passport change is on the same day as the rollout of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

Costing £16, any non-British or non-Irish tourists will have to pay the fee to enter the country, with it acting like a visa waiver.

Dual nationals are not able to apply for it.

Brits living in the UK will also not need an ETA, although will need an ETIAS later is travelling to Europe.

Set to start later this year (with a confirmed date yet to be announced) it will cost £17 and act like an American ESTA, lasting three years.

Here are some other passport rules that are still catching Brits out.

Some British nationals could face problems at the border when the change begins on February 25, 2026

A cluster of UK citizens are bracing themselves for the prospect of obtaining a new passport or shelling out hundreds of pounds due to an impending border change set to kick in on Wednesday. Dual British nationals, including children, could be denied entry into the UK unless they hold a British passport, under fresh regulations slated to come into force later this month.

An estimated 1.2 million dual British citizens are scattered across the globe. From February 25, 2026, those journeying to the UK will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Travellers without an ETA will be prohibited from boarding their flight, ferry or train.

British and Irish citizens, which includes dual nationals, are exempt from this requirement but must adhere to other stipulations. To travel to the UK, dual nationals will now require a valid British passport.

Alternatively, they can fork out £589 for a certificate of entitlement to attach to their second nationality passport. In the past, dual nationals were able to enter the UK using their non-British passport at no cost.

Dual nationals attempting to gain entry to the UK solely with a foreign passport may face hurdles. Although British citizens have a legal right to reside in the UK, travellers could be subjected to extra scrutiny while their status is verified. They might also be barred from boarding if they fail to prove their right of entry.

The Government rolled out these regulations last year, but numerous dual nationals have argued the changes arrived with insufficient warning and inadequate communication. Anxiety is growing that getaways or work journeys could face disruption if people don’t obtain a passport or certificate of entitlement quickly enough.

Why have ETAs been introduced?

ETAs have been brought in as part of wider plans for a “more streamlined, digital immigration system” which the Government expects will be faster and more secure for the millions crossing the UK border each year. It’s a digital travel authorisation – not a visa or levy, simply granting someone permission to travel to the UK.

Government officials maintain that introducing ETAs mirrors the approach numerous other countries have taken for border security, such as the US and Australia.

At present, an ETA costs £16 and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time across a two-year period. There are plans to raise the charge to £20 down the line.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “From February 25, 2026, all dual British citizens will need to present either a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement when travelling to the UK. Without one, carriers cannot verify they are a British citizen, which may lead to delays or refused boarding.

“Public information advising dual nationals to carry the correct documentation has been available since October 2024 and a substantive communications campaign about the introduction of ETA has been running since 2023. This requirement applies to all British citizens regardless of other nationality and is the same approach taken by other countries, including the United States, Canada and Australia.”

New Entry/Exit system and ETIAS requirements coming to Europe in 2026 mean British passport holders need to prepare for biometric checks and travel authorisation.

As winter fades away, millions of Britons are probably mapping out their summer getaways. Some might already have flights secured, and if that’s you, it’s crucial to familiarise yourself with the new regulations taking effect.

Whether you’re jetting off to Europe or across the Atlantic, fresh legislation is being implemented that could result in substantial hold-ups at airports and railway terminals. Updated requirements covering visas, biometric information and passport checks mean that international travel is growing increasingly complex.

That said, provided you understand what’s needed, your journey should remain hassle-free.

For those bound for Europe, the new entry/exit system may trigger bottlenecks. The introduction of this began in October 2025, and by April 2026, it’s anticipated to operate throughout all Schengen zones.

It demands biometric information – fingerprints and a facial photograph – at the airport, reports the Express.

This may create hold-ups at border crossings, so it’s vital to factor these in and avoid leaving your travel arrangements too tight.

Also anticipated in 2026 is the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). This will oblige non- European Union nationals to secure ETIAS approval if they intend to visit Europe for up to 90 days.

The application will set you back £17.46 but comes free for those under 18 and over 70, and remains valid for three years or until your passport runs out.

Whilst this won’t launch until the final quarter of 2026, specialists are encouraging travellers to get ready and stay informed about the upcoming transformation.

Those planning a journey to the US will be required to use the Mobile Passport Control App. The application was created to cut down queuing times at airports and do away with paper documentation.

Upon arrival in the US, passengers must download the app, set up a profile and respond to a number of questions about themselves.

After completing your submission, you’ll be given a QR code to present at passport control.

Nicole Kerr, CEO at ground transportation platform Mozio, said: “UK searches for ‘summer holiday deals’ have increased by 123% in the past three months, as Brits look to secure their travel plans ahead of peak season.

“While a holiday is meant to be a relaxing and stress-free experience, experts have warned that changes to the travel industry could cause delays and confusion.”

NEW passport rules are being rolled out by the UK government this week, and it affects anyone with two passports.

From February 25, dual British nationals will have to carry a valid British passport.

Anyone who tries to travel into the UK – via train, ferry or plane – could be banned from boarding if they are unable to show one.

The only alternative to having a British passport is instead paying for a £589 “certificate of entitlement,” the Guardian reports.

A Home Office spokesperson explains: “From February 25, 2026, all dual British citizens will need to present either a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement to avoid delays at the border.”

This will be attached to the non-British passport instead.

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It is thought as many as 1.26million people in England and Wales hold more than one passport – working out to 2.1 per cent of the population.

The new rules follow the roll out of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which requires any non-British or non-Irish tourists to £16 for.

The UK government said the changes were to create a “seamless travel experience”.

Some have slammed the rules, claiming there is not enough time to allow them to get a British passport or change flights.

Kara Przybylski, 26, from Brisbane, is a dual citizen but doesn’t currently have a British passport.

She said: “It sucks for people who have flights booked, the government should have allowed more time before it comes into effect.”

Others worry for their children – one British woman in Germany said that it would affect their kids.

She called the rule change “short-notice, shortsighted [and] arbitrary”.

The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot explains: “People abroad have said they weren’t told enough in advance this was happening.

“Getting a passport is going to be a lengthy process, and expensive for families to have two passports per person.

“You could be denied boarding unless you have a British passport or this certificate”.

British nationals living in the UK will not be affected by the rule change, nor do they need to purchase an ETA when returning to Britain.

However, an ETIAS will be required from Brits heading to Europe when it is rolled out later this year.

Yet to confirm an official date, the visa-waiver will be similar to the ESTA required for the US.

Costing around £17, it will last three years, although will be free for under 18s and over 70s.

And here is what to know about the new Entry/Exit System (ESS) being rolled out across Europe as well.

If you’re heading abroad this year you’ll need to make sure your passport is valid – and that includes checking two key dates on your document before booking a trip

There are crucial passport checks you need to be mindful of before jetting off abroad, especially with the February half-term looming.

Over the past year, travel rules have undergone significant changes, including hikes in passport fees, the introduction of digital-only boarding passes, and rises in tourist taxes. However, one of the most frequent blunders is neglecting to properly check passports prior to reaching the airport.

If a passport is within its expiry date, it’s easy to assume it’s good to go. But what many Brits may not realise is that their passport must have at least three months’ validity when travelling to the EU.

This is calculated from the return date, not the departure date. So, if your holiday spans from 25 July to 1 August, your passport must be valid until at least 1 November 2026.

While some countries demand six months of validity, the EU only requires three, so it’s essential to verify your passport’s validity, reports the Express.

READ MORE: Brits warned of holiday chaos as flights are ‘full’ with little wiggle room

Another important check is to confirm your passport was issued within the last 10 years. The ’10 year rule’ has tripped up travellers, particularly those who received a passport prior to September 2018, as these were valid for 10 years and nine months.

Although the passport might seem valid, it could actually be over 10 years old and thus invalid for flying. Meanwhile, passports issued after September 2018 are valid for 10 years, with the ’10 year’ rule applying to all passports.

Should you discover your passport has lapsed for either reason, you can arrange a renewal via the government website. If time is tight, there’s an option to fast-track the application, though it’s advisable to submit your renewal request at the earliest opportunity.

In related travel news, the European Union (EU) introduced the new Entry/Exit System (EES) for non-EU travellers entering and leaving the Schengen zone last year. For British passport holders, this means that instead of receiving stamps, your biometric data, including fingerprints and a photograph, will be captured at the border when visiting a Schengen area country.

The Schengen zone encompasses many of Britain’s favourite holiday spots, including destinations anticipated to be particularly busy during February half-term as families jet off for sunshine breaks.

The Schengen area countries are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus fall outside the Schengen area, meaning EES doesn’t apply when travelling to these nations.

This adjustment came into force on October 12, 2025, designed to boost security whilst speeding up border processing. Holidaymakers needn’t take any extra steps before reaching the border, and EES registration carries no additional charge.

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Nevertheless, to guarantee a seamless holiday departure and prevent missing your outbound flight, passengers are encouraged to factor in extra time when turning up at EU airports or other points of entry. The digital EES remains valid for three years, after which travellers must supply fresh fingerprints or have another photograph taken at the border during entry and exit.

Whilst no extra preparation is required, it’s crucial to be mindful of this modification so you’re prepared for fingerprint and photo requirements when crossing into a Schengen zone. Additionally, understanding this change means you’ll anticipate potential hold-ups as the EES is implemented.

The new framework isn’t yet operational at every EU airport, so it’s advisable to verify beforehand and build in additional time. Full implementation across all Schengen nations is scheduled for April 10, 2026.

Meanwhile, ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is expected to go live later this year for those visiting the EU. The new visa waiver scheme will oblige Britons to complete an ETIAS application prior to their EU holiday, costing €20 per person.

Nevertheless, once granted following a pre-screening process, the ETIAS will remain valid for three years, or until your passport runs out. The rollout of the new scheme, which mirrors the United States’ ESTA system, hasn’t been confirmed yet, but it’s anticipated for Q4 of this year.

Every year, Brits end up stranded at the airport due to issues with their passports but you can make sure you’re not one of them by making these 6 vital checks now

There’s nothing quite like that holiday excitement as you arrive at the airport, ready to jetset off somewhere sunny and get a well-deserved week or two off. However, every year thousands of Brits get caught out with documents that are invalid; and it means their trip gets cut short.

Not only can you be denied boarding on your flight, but your travel insurance is unlikely to cover the costs if you can’t travel because of invalid documents including your passport.

Luckily, we’re here to help as we’ve rounded up six vital passport checks to do now, so if there’s anything amiss you have plenty of time to get it fixed ahead of the summer (and avoid the pre-summer rush that the Passport Office always faces).

Check out our top tips below…

1. Validity duration

This one often catches holidaymakers out. When travelling to the EU, Brits need passports with at least three months validity, and the key thing to remember is this is based on your return date, not your departure. For example, if you’re on holiday from July 25 to August 1, your passport will need to be valid until at least November 1 2026.

Some countries such as Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and Singapore require six months of validity, so always check before you book your trip.

It’s also worth remembering that child passports only last for five years, not ten, so for those travelling with kids these checks are especially important.

2. The 10 year rule

The ’10 year rule’ often catches Brits out at the airport. Pre-Brexit, passports that were renewed before expiry could carry over a certain amount of validity. This meant some passports issued before September 2018 were valid for as long as ten years and nine months. Passports issued after this date are valid for ten years only.

However, since Britain has left the EU, UK passport holders are now classed as third-country nationals, meaning all passports must be issued less than 10 years before your departure date. This means some holidaymakers with older passports are being caught out, as while they may have enough validity on their passport, the document could be over ten years old.

If your passport will be passing the ten year mark soon, make sure you get it renewed before you go.

3. Damage

Even minor damage to a passport can see you denied boarding. According to the Passport Office, a passport is considered damaged if:

• you cannot read any of your details
• any of the pages are ripped, cut or missing
• there are holes, cuts or rips in the cover
• the cover is coming away
• there are stains on the pages (for example, ink or water damage)

You can replace a damaged passport online at a cost of £94.50 for adults. While this might sound pricey, it’s often cheaper than the expenses that come with being denied boarding. Keep your passport in a plastic wallet to protect it from damage.

4. Number of blank pages

With many countries moving away from manual stamps and onto more sophisticated processes such as the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), you might assume that you don’t need to check the number of pages left in your passport.

However, most countries still require a certain amount of blank space, and many EU countries are still making the switch to EES, so Brits may find they still need to get their passport stamped. EU destinations including Germany, Italy, and Belgium require two blank pages for stamps, some long haul destinations in Africa ask for four, while Nambia holds the record with visitors asked to present six blank pages.

A standard adult passport comes with 34 blank pages, but frequent travellers can opt for a 54-page passport which costs £107.50 instead of the standard £94.50 fee.

5. Signature

It’s something most of us forget to do when a new passport arrives, but make sure you sign it. An unsigned passport can be rejected as invalid, and it takes just a couple of seconds to do.

While it’s not a legal requirement, take some time to fill in your emergency contacts too. This is important in case of an accident, and could also be useful if your passport gets recovered after being lost or stolen.

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6. Correct passport

It may sound obvious, but it’s easy to accidentally pick up the wrong passport and not realise until your train is halfway to the airport. A quick check before you leave could save a lot of hassle.

When you renew your passport and the old one is returned, consider shredding and disposing of the expired document. Never store your old passport alongside the new one, otherwise this could lead to a costly mix-up when you head out to catch your flight.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

Saudi Arabia has launched a project to issue passports for camels, in a move seen as a “qualitative step” to regulate the sector and strengthen the kingdom’s credibility in local and international markets, the government said on Wednesday, Anadolu reports.

A statement by the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture said Deputy Minister Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti inaugurated the camel passport project Tuesday evening.

The initiative is designed to organize the camel sector, document identity and improve service efficiency while enhancing market trust domestically and internationally, the ministry said.

The project seeks to record camels’ data, ownership and breeds and link them to verified health and regulatory information, making the passport an officially recognized reference that supports more efficient services, the statement added.

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The camel passport serves as a comprehensive identification document, containing a microchip number, passport number, the camel’s name, date of birth, breed, sex, color, place of birth, and date and place of issuance, as well as photographs of the animal from both sides to ensure accurate identification, the ministry said.

It also includes a dedicated vaccination table that clearly documents veterinary immunization records, certified by the name, signature and stamp of the veterinarian, according to the statement.

The ministry said the passport will help regulate sales and trading by tightening controls over camel sales, transport and official documentation.

In a census released in June 2025, the ministry said the total number of camels in the kingdom reached 2,235,297 heads.

Saudi Arabia ranks among the world’s top camel-owning countries, with an estimated 80,000 owners, according to unofficial figures.

READ: Saudi Arabia: Citizens can invite Muslim friends abroad for Umrah on new visa

How much you’ll pay for a new or replacement passport can vary

The price of a new or replacement passport rose in 2025, with some people having to shell out as much as £222 for the important travel document. Everyone in the UK needs a passport for international travel.

As per Gov.uk, you can apply for a British passport if you’re a British citizen, a British overseas territories citizen, a British overseas citizen, a British subject, a British national (overseas), or a British protected person. These documents are issued by HM Passport Office and currently take roughly three weeks or less to arrive.

Most people will have to pay a fee to renew an existing passport or to apply for a new one, including those for children. As of April 2025, a standard adult passport, for those aged 16 and over, costs £94.50 when applying online, or £107 when applying using the paper form.

A standard child’s passport now costs £69, or £74 for a postal application. If you need the document urgently, you can expect so pay significantly more for a passport. The fee for a Premium Service (one day) application is £222 for adults, or £189 for a child’s passport.

Those applying for a UK passport from overseas will have to pay £108, or £70 for a child’s passport. If applying internationally via the paper form, the cost is £120.50 for adults and £77 to £82.50 for children, as reported by the Liverpool Echo.

While the majority of applicants will need to pay for their passports, some people can get theirs for free. If you were born on or before September 2, 1929, you can apply for a new British passport or renew your existing one without any cost.

You can also use the Post Office Check and Send service at no charge and benefit from complimentary secure delivery. However, the government has confirmed that charges must be paid if you require a passport urgently or if you wish to obtain a frequent traveller passport (one containing more pages than the standard version).

A WOMAN was forced to miss her holiday after she was stopped from boarding an easyJet flight when they discovered an issue with her passport.

Donna Fairclough was due to fly out of Manchester Airport and was ‘heartbroken’ to miss out on an £820 holiday to Malta.

Donna Fairclough and her fiancé Gary Broadley were due to fly to Malta from Manchester Airport on January 3, 2026.

However, Donna was turned away from the flight by easyJet because of a sizeable tear in her passport.

The damage was across the photo page of her travel document and the size of the tear meant that she wasn’t allowed to board the flight.

Talking to Manchester Evening News, Donna said: “The rip was initially about a quarter-of-an-inch. I was excited to go away. It was heartbreaking because we lost out on a holiday because of a rip.

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“I said to my partner, you can still see my face and my passport number and it didn’t affect any of that. That’s what I couldn’t understand.”

As well as missing out on their holiday, the pair have claimed that easyJet won’t refund them for their break as the rip is classified as ‘accidental damage’.

Advice on the Gov.UK website reads: “If your passport is damaged you must replace it. You may not be able to travel with it. HM Passport Office will consider your passport damaged if […] any of the pages are ripped, cut or missing.”

HM Passport Office will also consider your passport damaged if you cannot read any of the details, the cover is coming away, or if there are stains on the page.

Donna has since got a new passport and has urged other holidaymakers to check theirs before travelling.

easyJet responded in a statement that the airline is “sorry” that Ms Fairclough was not able to go on her holiday and “understand how disappointing this must have been”.

The airline added it “works closely with the authorities and complies with their guidance to ensure the safety and security of customers and crew, and this means we can’t allow anyone to travel if their documentation is damaged.”

They then advised Donna on how she could get a new passport and have been in touch with further support.

It’s not just damage to passports that can halt passengers from boarding flights, issues with expiry dates have caught travellers out too.

Previous rules allowed British passport holders to roll over 10 months from their previous passports meaning they’d have validity of up to 10 years and 10 months.

But the current rules no longer see those additional 10 months as valid, even if they are on your passport.

So, if your passport was issued in June 2015, but your expiry date says September 2025, that expiry is actually incorrect.

Instead, your passport would have expired 10 years past the start date – making the real expiry is actually June 2025.

There’s also the three month rule – a number of countries require British holidaymakers to have a few additional months left on their passport to travel.

Most places in Europe require British travellers to have at least three months left on the passport before it expires.

Passport Rules

Everything you need to know about passports

Here’s another common passport mistake that is costing Brits £1.1million a year on holiday.

And another woman was left sobbing after easy passport mistake saw her BANNED from her flight.

What you need to know about UK passports and travel rules

Brits planning a holiday abroad are advised to check a particular detail on their passport or risk being denied boarding at the airport. Overlooking this vital step could potentially derail your travel plans.

There are many things to remember when preparing for a journey. From packing clothes and toiletries to arranging travel insurance and visas, it can seem like an overwhelming list of tasks to complete.

This is due to the fact that different nations have distinct rules regarding passport validity. The Post Office advises on its website: “Some countries might ask that your passport’s valid for your whole time away and even a bit longer, sometimes up to six months.

“If you don’t check these rules, you could run into problems, like not being able to board your flight or being denied entry when you land.” To err on the side of caution, ensure your passport has at least an additional six months remaining from the date of your holiday – as many destinations demand at least half a year’s buffer.

To locate your passport expiry date, you’ll need to refer to the document’s data page, which also includes your photograph, date of birth, and passport number.

Passport validity rules

Before embarking on your journey, verify the requirements for the destination you’re visiting. Here are some examples of the rules in different countries:

• For those planning to travel to the United States, it’s crucial that your passport remains valid for the entire duration of your stay, although having an extra six months’ validity is advised to avoid potential complications
• If you’re bound for Australia, ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from the date you enter the country
• For travel to New Zealand, passports must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date

Europe

In most European countries, the requirement is for three months of passport validity. However, additional regulations apply to British citizens visiting EU and Schengen countries, which specify that your passport cannot be older than 10 years.

The Post Office explains: “Passports issued after 2018 are valid for exactly 10 years. But if your passport was issued before September 2018, it might be valid for up to 10 years and nine months.

“This is because, before 2018, the passport office would add up to nine extra months from your old passport to your new one. This means some people have passports that haven’t officially expired and are still valid for travel worldwide.

“The exception is travel in Europe, where passports must be less than 10 years old.” To travel to Europe and Schengen countries, your passport must meet the following conditions:

• Issued less than 10 years before your departure date
• Valid for at least three months after your planned return date

All the relevant information for travel to the EU and Schengen countries can be found on the GOV.UK website.

If your passport is approaching its expiry date

You should apply for a new passport at GOV.UK if your passport has expired or is not valid for the amount of time you need. It costs £94.50 to renew or replace your passport if you apply online or £107 if you fill in a paper form.

It typically takes two weeks for a new passport to arrive, although there are express options available at a higher cost.

If your passport is considered damaged it will also need replacing. HM Passport Office will consider your passport damaged if:

• You cannot read any of your details
• Any of the pages are ripped, cut or missing
• There are holes, cuts or rips in the cover
• The cover is coming away
• There are stains on the pages (for example, ink or water damage)

For more information, visit GOV.UK here.