HM Passport Office has delivered a warning to British travellers as the peak holiday season approaches.

With the Easter half-term merely weeks away and summer escape plans already in place, thousands of holidaymakers will be departing abroad during one of the year’s busiest travel periods. To guarantee their journey begins smoothly, Brits are being encouraged to verify their passports; failure to do so could result in being refused entry at the airport.

In a stark reminder, the HM Passport Office urged Brits to “check your passport now” in a post published on X, ahead of any spring or summer excursions. A link within the post guided travellers to the government website, where they can apply online to renew, replace, or update their passports.

There are two crucial dates you should verify on your document; the expiry date, and the issue date, particularly if you’re intending to visit a European destination such as France, Spain or Greece. This is due to a post-Brexit rule on travel to the European Union or Schengen countries, which states that UK passports must have been issued less than 10 years before your departure and must be valid for at least 3 months after your return.

Meanwhile countries such as Australia, China, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and India require at least 6 months of passport validity from the date of arrival. It’s essential to verify any entry requirements and passport validity before finalising any travel arrangements.

You must also verify your passport hasn’t sustained physical damage, as this could invalidate it. This might encompass torn pages, water damage, detached covers, or any other issues that could make personal details illegible.

General wear and tear on a passport can also prove problematic when passing through automated scanners or at airport border control checkpoints. Therefore it’s critical to confirm your passport remains in acceptable condition, or whether you require a replacement. There must also be a blank page at the rear of the passport for any required stamps or visas. If the passport is filled with stamps from previous journeys, it could cause difficulties at the border if insufficient blank pages remain, potentially preventing you from travelling.

If your passport has expired or requires replacement, you can submit an application through the government website. However, it’s imperative to do so well ahead of time, as processing can take approximately three weeks and occasionally longer.

HM Passport Office also advised: “Do not book travel until you have a valid passport – your new passport will not have the same number as your old one.” Renewing or replacing your standard passport online costs £94.50, whilst opting for a paper application will set you back £107. A child’s passport, meanwhile, costs £61.50 online or £74 via post. You can find out more on gov.uk.