The Passport Office has issued a ‘five weeks’ alert to Brits planning winter getaways. All UK citizens require a valid passport for international travel.

Should your passport be lost, stolen, damaged or expire, a replacement application becomes necessary, costing £94.50 online or £107 via paper form. While new documents typically arrive within three weeks, HM Passport Office has shared a timely reminder on X, formerly Twitter, as the festive travel season approaches.

The message states: “Christmas is just 5 weeks away! If ‘Yule’ be travelling, check your passport is valid for travel today. Don’t let your sleigh be delayed.”

Additional guidance on the accompanying Gov.uk page clarifies that processing may exceed three weeks “if we need more information, or we need to interview you”, noting: “We’ll tell you this within 3 weeks”.

Officials also caution: “Do not book travel until you have a valid passport – your new passport will not have the same number as your old one.”

For those requiring urgent documentation, two fast-track options exist.

The one-day premium service represents the quickest route, though appointments become available only two days following application.

Applicants must surrender their existing passport at the appointment, with the replacement ready for collection four hours later from the passport office.

This service is exclusively for adult passport renewals and charges £222 for a new document, or £235 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport. Alternatively, the one week fast-track service is available.

The earliest appointment you can secure is the day after your application, with your new passport delivered by courier one week post-appointment. 

This service costs £178 for an adult passport, or £145 for a child’s passport, or £191 or £158 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport for an adult or child, respectively.

For those without a valid passport but in need of urgent travel due to medical treatment, serious illness or death of a friend or family member, or for pressing government business, HM Passport Office advises contacting the Passport Advice line.