Passport Renewals

[Ray&Sarah]

Our sons passports run out next March 2005, should we renew them now, whilst we can still obtain the old style? We cannot really leave them to expire, as our youngest is going Skiing with his school next March. What would anyone recommend?[msnsmile2][msncool]

[Carla]

I would definitely renew now. You get the benefit of knowing that whatever the various national authorities do, you're covered!! You'll only lose a coupe of months on the current passports anyway, which is not even worth worrying about.

[lookout]

I asked the UKPA about this as my passport runs out at the end of this year. They said you can renew at any time and then have up to 9 months added to the length of your new passport.
I would do it well in advance just to be sure.

[Ruth]

i have just renewed my all my children's passports even though one did not expire for another 18 months. I did not want to risk having to take him (age 4) to London to get a visa because he had a new passport without biometric details next year

My 6 year old is in the same boat so i am renewing it now.

[chrisj]

Cant you extend a passport ?

[Ray&Sarah]

Never heard of that Chris what does it mean and how does it work?

[Floridalover]

Not sure you can extend a passport. Be aware that the US are changing their immigration laws soon. You will need a new style passport (with biometrics) to enter the States. If you do not have this you need a visa. US Immigration were introducing this from Oct this year, but I have heard that deadline has now been extended

[chrisj]

Sorry Ive got it wrong, just been checking, you can renew early but not extend