The HM Passport Office has issued a warning that individuals across the UK may possess an invalid travel document without realizing it. Having a valid passport is crucial for international travel, as passports typically remain valid for ten years for adults and five years for children.
Currently, the cost of a UK passport is £94.50 for online applications and £107 for paper applications. For children, the fees are £61.50 online and £74 for paper forms. Upon receiving your new passport, it is essential to sign it to validate it before use, as reported by the Daily Record.
In a recent alert on Twitter, the Passport Office emphasized the importance of signing your passport. Individuals over the age of 11 must sign their passport before using it. If the passport does not state ‘The holder is not required to sign,’ it must be signed with a black ballpoint pen on the designated signature line.
Further guidance on Gov.uk highlights that a passport is not considered a valid travel document until the holder signs it. It is recommended to sign the new passport immediately upon receiving it. Mistakes in signing, such as using colored ink or a different signature than usual, could render the passport invalid.
It is crucial not to use pencil or colored ink, add extra information, or alter or erase a signature on the passport, as these actions could damage the document. Passports with digitally printed signatures remain valid until their expiration date.