Don't book travel while waiting for renewed passports, IPS urges

Holidaymakers renewing their passports must never book ahead if their new passport has not been returned, in case of unforeseen delays, the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) said.

Ordinarily passports are returned within three weeks of the IPS receiving the application.

However, should there be an uncompleted part of the form or if supporting documents are not present, longer delays can occur, which could jeopardise holidaymakers' travel plans, she warned.

"We aim to return applications within three weeks of receiving them, providing that the application is straightforward and everything is completed properly with the correct supporting documents, photos and fee.

"If one of those things wasn't [correct], then obviously it would delay it, but basically … if you use the standard service, provided you've done everything you need to, [it should take no more than] three weeks."

She added: "Checks are required to be completed on all applications. Some of these checks do take longer to complete than others."

The warning from the IPS comes as a study from the Post Office revealed that one in five Britons has no idea when their passport expires.

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