Passport questions

Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

My passport expires in October , somebody at work said with less than 6 months validity you should't use it , truth or lie? ,

I hate giving the government money and thus intend to use it till the absolute very last day before it expires anybody care to shed any light? (note this is one of these people who get all their info from a bloke down the pub)

any thoughts?

Ta

EDIT this is related to touring in June , which is why its here!
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

Davo · Davo To The Rescue! Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Karma :

Quite a few countries won't allow you to enter if you have less than six months - a year left on your passport.

Usually means you won't be granted a visa if you need one. Although to be honest everytime I've been on the continent I've never had my passport scrutinized too closely (or they would have noticed my passport was nearly a year out of date last time around).

syl · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Dec 2005 Karma :

Truth - some places won't let you in with less than 6 months remaining. If you apply for a new one now, you'll get 10 years plus up to nine months that remain on your old passport.

Fill in the form on the government website, sign the paperwork that comes to you the next day, enclose a cheque, two photos and your old passport and you should have a shiny new one about a week later.

EDIT Just saw June. You can pay more and have a one week or even same-day service. Call 0870 521 0410.
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carvell · Scuttler Joined: 05 Sep 2003 Karma :

What he said.

Get a new one, you'll have 10 years plus whatever's left on it now.
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Stiffler · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Sep 2006 Karma :

Aye you can just go down to Liverpool (closest office to here) and get one sorted on the same day. I think you need to make an appointment and it costs a small fortune!

Tim
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fredsredhat · Traffic Copper Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Karma :

I found this out today - with my ferry booked for june TT assen GP and my passport runs out in sept. A few people say just go with it, they wont check too closely and its only 3 days out of the country.....

Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

Thanks, everywhere in the EU I'll be going is Schengen area anyway thus open borders , the trick is Dover though.... and maybe switzerland..
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

carvell · Scuttler Joined: 05 Sep 2003 Karma :

Note that not every country insists on 6 months left on it.

I've been to a fair few countries, and St Lucia was the only one that insisted on 6 months validity. In Europe plus a lot of other places you will be fine.

Do ya research, it'll be on the country's tourism website.
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Shay HTFC · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Karma :

Don't worry.

I've been in and out of Europe numerous times since losing my passport. My replacement was a green paper back German passport (German nationality) that had all the security stuff just printed on.
(Was a temp passport).

Well the writing on the front wore off and it was in a right state with about 1.5 months left and got into Prague and skiing no problems (well if being looked at funny for 3 minutes is 'no problems' Smile

)

But then again... I'm not the law, so maybe its best to get the brand new one quick?