Safety First

Make sure you complete the next of kin details in your passport.

Keep a copy of your passport number and date of issue, and keep it separately in a safe place.

Photocopy your passport details page and leave it with a friend or relative at home.

Carry another form of photographic identification with you.

Be certain that any children included on your passport will still be under 16 by the end of your journey.

If your passport is in its final year of validity, please check the requirements of the country of destination before you make your final travel plans.  Some countries are turning back visitors with a current passport that expires in less than six months, or in the case of South Africa, lacking at least two blank pages.

For further up-to-date advice, visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's 'Know Before You Go' web site at www.fco.gov.uk/travel .

Always carry your passport

You are still obliged to carry a full 10 year British passport with you every time you travel to a European destination.  Many countries now have abandoned routine passport checks at their land borders but they still expect visitors to be able to produce a valid form of identification.  In the case of UK travellers this is the British passport.  Remember, your passport will be checked at immigration control on your return to the UK.

Lost of Stolen passports

If your passport is lost or has been stolen, it is important that you report this to the UK Passport Service as soon as possible in order to help prevent future misuse of your document.  To do this you must submit a lost/stolen (LS01) report form.  You will no longer be able to legally use a passport once it has been formally reported as lost or stolen and subsequently cancelled by the UK Passport Service (UKPS).  If this passport later comes into your possession you must return it to UKPS.  It cannot be used for travel or identification purposes and you may be detained by immigration or police authorities if you try to do so.

Lost your passport abroad?

We hope this doesn't happen, but if it does then you should report the loss at the main Police Station.  They will give you a copy of the statement you make regarding the loss.  Contact the Consultate immediately who will be able to supply you with an emergency passport to enable you to reach home.

How long does it take to get a Passport

The UKPS aim to return postal applications within 3 weeks of receipt.  You must send a properly filled in application form and the necessary supporting documents to confirm your identity and eligibility.  If you do not do this, the UKPS may not be able to issue a passport in the expected time.  You are therefore advised not to book any travel arrangements until you are in receipt of your new passport.

There is a 'check and send service' available through selected Post Offices and the application should take two weeks from when the branch or agent accepts the application, not including bank and public holidays.  This is not, however, a guaranteed service and turnaround times may exceed two weeks during periods of peak demand.  We at Property Mart Overseas have personally found this service excellent, and for a few extra pounds it gives peace of mind knowing that your application form is correct.

The Fast Track and Premium services are only available at a passport office if you make an appointment through the Passport Adviceline and attend in person.

Children and Passports

All children from new-born babies to the age of 15 must now have their own individual passport.  Once they reach their 16th birthday they then become eligible for a standard 10 year passport.  Before 1998 many children were already included on a valid passport.  These children can still continue to travel abroad with the passport holder until either, the child reaches the age of 16, the passport on which the child is included expires or the passport on which the child is included is submitted for amendment.  Children travelling to the USA will need their own.  Once your child reaches 16 years of age they will require their own passport and their details must be removed from the parents.  Your passport with your child's application should be sent to the UKPS and it will be returned once the details have been deleted.

Passport Adviceline:  0870 521 0410

This national advice line provides a single point of contact for all telephone callers and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Useful numbers:  Embassies

Spain
C/Fernando el Santo, 16
28010 Madrid
(+34) 91 7008200

Dubai
PO Box 65
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
(+971) 4309 4444

Bulgaria
British Embassy
9 Moskovska Street, Sofia
(+359) 2 933 9222

Cyprus
British High Commission
Alexander Pallis Street (PO Box 21978)
1587 Nicosia or BFPO 567
(+357) 22 861100

United States
3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington DC 20008
(+1) 202 588 6500

Turkey
Sehit Ersan Caddesi 46/A
Cankaya, Ankara
(+90) (312) 455 3344

Romania
British Embassy, 24 Jules Michelet
010463 Bucharest, Romania
(40) (21) 201 7200

Croatia
Ivan Lucica 4
1000 Zagreb
(385) (1) 6009 100

Egypt
7 Ahmed Ragheb Street
Garden City, Cairo
(20) (2) 794 0852