UK passport warning as 'you may not be able to travel'

Five specific problems could not only mean you are unable to travel but they could cost you upwards of £100 to get sorted.

The Government website has warned of instances where your passport may not be accepted for travel(Image: Getty)

People are being warned by Government officials that certain complications with their documents could ground their travel plans. Five particular issues could prevent you from taking off, and potentially lead to costs of up to £100 to resolve.

The official guidance, detailed on its website, warns about the implications of possessing a damaged passport. “If your passport is damaged you must replace it,” GOV.UK advises.

“You may not be able to travel with it.” An online passport replacement costs £88.50, whereas the paper form process costs £100.

The Passport Office will consider your passport damaged if:

You cannot read any of your details
Any of the pages are ripped, cut or missing
There are holes, cuts or rips in the cover
The cover is coming away
There are stains on the pages (for example, ink or water damage).

To secure a new passport online, applicants are required to upload a digital photograph and provide payment through a credit or debit card. Additionally, those replacing a misplaced or stolen passport need someone to verify their identity online – but before applying for a replacement for such passports, they must first be reported as cancelled.

You can get a paper application form for a replacement passport by either going to the Post Office or calling the Passport Adviceline. You’ll need two new and identical printed photos of yourself. You will also need to get your application form and one of your photos signed by someone else to prove your identity.

How long will a new passport take to arrive?

You’ll usually get your passport within three weeks. The Government website says: “It may take longer than three weeks if we need more information, or we need to interview you.

“We’ll tell you this within three weeks. There are different turnaround times if you’re applying from another country.”

If you need your new passport sooner than three weeks there are two ways to apply for it urgently.

With the one day premium option the earliest you can get an appointment is two days after you apply. You’ll need to hand in your old passport at your appointment.

Your new passport will be ready to collect from the passport office four hours after your appointment. It costs £207.50 (or £219.50 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport).

For the one week fast track option the earliest you can get an appointment is the next day after you apply. Your new passport will be delivered to you by courier one week after your appointment.

It costs £166.50 for an adult passport (or £178.50 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport). Or £135.50 for a child passport (or £147.50 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport).