With summer getaways on the horizon, there’s no better time to break out your holiday planner and start checking off those to-do lists! 

Whether you’re a frequent traveller or heading off on your first overseas voyage, what better place to start getting organised than with your passport.

Dealing with such an important document can be daunting, but it’s actually a super easy process…

Start by checking out the passport requirements of the country you are travelling to, as they can differ from one country to another.

Obviously, if your passport has expired then you will need to acquire a new one before you travel, although there are also some other rules you’ll need to consider. You can find out the rules per country here: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. 

A lot of popular holiday destinations - such as Greece, Italy and Spain - require your passport to be valid for at least three months after the date you leave the country, and your passport must also be issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country. Therefore, you should check the ‘date of issue’ as well as the expiry date to avoid getting caught out.

Others - like South Africa, Thailand and Dubai - require a minimum of six months validity from the day you enter the county. This means, even if your passport is valid at the time of your trip, you may be refused entry if the expiry date falls before the end of the stated period.  

So, what do you do if you need a new passport? 

Well, there are two options, the first of which is to apply online. This is the easier (and cheaper) route to take and can be completed through the GOV.UK website. 

When renewing a passport or booking an appointment, make sure you only use the government's official website -  www.gov.uk/apply-renew-passport - and don’t get caught out by any potential fake sites that are pretending to be the real thing.

All you need is your debit card and a digital photo of yourself, as well as your existing passport if you have one. Costs start at £53.50 for a child and go up to £82.50 for an adult when applying online.

The second option is to apply via post. You can pick up your application form at most Post Offices, and will need to send this off with two identical photos of yourself and your preferred payment method. 

The price does increase slightly when applying by post, costing £93 for an adult and £64 for a child. Many Post Offices also offer a Check and Send service for an additional £16, which helps ensure that you get your application right the first time.

Whichever you choose, make sure you complete your application carefully and thoroughly – following guidance on sending off your old passport, and any other supporting documents, straightaway so your application can be processed swiftly.

Remember it can take up to 10 weeks to get your new passport, but times may fluctuate so make sure to get sorted as soon as possible to avoid any mishaps! 

There are fast track options available which come at an extra cost. A one-week service is priced at £155 for an adult’s passport while a child’s passport is £126. 

While the online premium service may see you get your new passport in just two days, this cost starts from £193.50.