HM Passport Office has issued a warning to families planning trips abroad during the spring and summer holidays.

Anyone in the UK wishing to travel overseas will require a valid passport. The travel documents typically remain valid for 10 years - or five for a child. A UK passport costs £94.50 with an online application, or £107 for a paper form, whilst a child's passport is £61.50 when applying online, or £74 with the paper form. In a recent post on X, formerly Twitter, HM Passport Office said: "Travelling with children this spring/summer? Renew their passport in good time. #ChildPassport #PlanAhead".

Additional information accessed by clicking through an accompanying link advises people to check processing times before submitting an application. It continues: "Do not book travel until you have a valid passport - your new passport will not have the same number as your old one."

• Easter passport warning for Brits as common mistake could see you turned away at the airport


• All of the UK flights cancelled today on Wednesday, March 11

Someone with parental responsibility for the child must submit the application for a child's passport. You must provide both parents' details when applying. If you're unable to supply the other parent's details, you must explain why (for example, you're the only parent named on the birth certificate or you adopted the child independently).

A new or replacement passport typically takes around three weeks to process. If you require the document more urgently, the one-week premium service costs £145 for a child's passport, or £158 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport.

The majority of individuals aged 11 and above are required to sign their passport, and it cannot be used unless it is signed.