Six-week warning to millions of passport holders as 42% break 'rule'

13 June 2024 , 08:30

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42% of UK passport holders are likely to book a holiday before checking the expiry date of their passport

Millions of passport holders have been issued a six-week warning as it has been revealed that more than a third have no idea when their documents are due to expire. The Post Office has announced a 'Check Your Passport Day' on June 13 - six weeks before the onset of peak summer international travel.

Applying to renew a passport on June 13 provides holidaygoers with enough time to factor in additional checks that may be required before travelling. Official government guidance is three weeks for a standard passport renewal, but this could take longer if applying for the first time.

More than a third of UK passport holders (36%) are unaware of their passport expiry date without having to check. A quarter (26%) have forgotten to renew their passports before it expired at least once, and 12% say they never renew their passport before the expiry date.

The research also revealed that 42% of UK passport holders are likely to book a holiday before checking the expiry date of their passport. This can lead to unforeseen challenges, with almost three in ten (28%) facing expensive last-minute processing fees for a new passport, while a fifth (19%) have missed trips completely. Others have faced disruptions during travel, particularly as many countries require passports to have a minimum validity of six months for entry.

Elinor Hull, Director of Government and Identity Services at Post Office said: "Customers are advised by His Majesty’s Passport Office not to book travel until they have a valid passport. As our research shows that many customers do not do this, and with the summer holidays fast approaching, it's crucial for travellers to ensure their passports are up to date to avoid any unexpected surprises at the check-in desk. By designating June 13 as Check Your Passport Day, six weeks before the peak summer travel period, we want to remind people across the country to take a proactive approach in safeguarding their travel plans, to ensure holidaymakers have peace of mind, and a renewed passport, in time for their holidays.”

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Assuming the passport is in date (23%), thinking the renewal date is far away (22%) and forgetting to check the passport expiry (22%) are the top reasons why people miss out on renewing their passports in time. 15% are concerned about the costs of renewing a passport, while one in ten (11%) either don’t have enough time to devote to the renewal process or find it too complicated.

Neil Shaw