Going Overseas on Thursday and Forgot to Renew My Passport

[Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 18:19
Last edited 12/07/2017 - 17:31

Last time I had my passport renewed I was 17 years old. I'm now 22 and am meant to be going overseas on Thursday only to find out I completely forgot to renew my passport (completely my fault). At this point I've already accepted the fact I won't be going anywhere and that I'll just have to take this huge loss in flights and accommodation etc. as an expensive lesson.

Is there any thing I can do to get my passport in time for Thursday or am I SOL? Sadly, bikies are not an option.

Feel free to vote in the poll below:

On a scale of 1 - 10, how badly did I screw up?

Update @ 6:25am 10/07/2017

I called the APIS and the best they could do was 4pm. Lady said I should have the passport by 4pm Wednesday. Cutting it fine but it's worth a shot. She also put me down to be called in earlier if a time slot opens up. Very grateful I even got an appointment at this point.

Update @ 3:19pm 10/07/2017

Had a 3pm appointment instead and have been guaranteed 2 business days for pickup. So I should have my new passport by EOD Wednesday, less than 12 hours before I depart. Thank you to everyone for their advice and support. It means a lot to me.

Final Update @ 3:28pm 12/07/2017

I just picked up my passport from the Perth APO and am currently packing for my flight at 7am tomorrow! Once again, thank you to everyone who helped and I hope you enjoyed following this thread on my little adventure! I'll see you in a week OzBargain!

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Travel

Comments

  • BensonP on 09/07/2017 - 18:22
    +54

    Yeah you're an fool!

    Get on the phone ASAP!!

    https://www.passports.gov.au/urgentapplications/Pages/defaul…

    My partner, who works at Flight Centre, says you can get a passport in 2 business days. But there's an extra $200ish fee for priority.

    • Shame on 09/07/2017 - 22:04
      +25

      A friend of mine works in the passport office and you have to go in there in person (not the post office), in the morning and they should be able to renew it in about 5 hours. A truckload of people forget to renew their passports. The busiest time of year for them is at the start of school holidays when people go to the airport and aren't allowed on the plane because they have less than 6 months remaining on their passport

      • D6C1 on 11/07/2017 - 22:53

        Whats with this 6 months? Essentially they are reducing the valid period of the passport for the same price. Well they are increasing the price AND reducing the valid period.

        • oringal on 11/07/2017 - 23:07

          its not Australia, its other countries. In some countries, if your passport has less than 6 months validity, they will not give you a visa and you will not be able to enter their country.

        • D6C1 on 12/07/2017 - 00:50

          @oringal: Yeah still dont get why though.

    • Praeto on 10/07/2017 - 12:03

      I had this done a couple of years back, and they did manage to turn it around in 2 days. I went to check in for a flight and was told that the 5 months and 28 days left on my passport wasn't sufficient, because the destination had a requirement that you have at least 6 months left on your passport… Sob.

  • scrimshaw on 09/07/2017 - 18:24
    +1

    edit- beaten to the punch, but yes, go to Auspost next day and apply for a new passport. You should make it in time.

    • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 18:25

      I saw that but it's not guaranteed apparently. From what I understood the 2 business days is only for them to process it, not to actually receive it? Unless I was just panicking and not reading things properly when I saw that.

      • scrimshaw on 09/07/2017 - 18:28

        how quickly they get back to you is a matter of luck of course, and geographical distance. Looks like you're in Perth, so I don't know if there are any Passport offices there that would process your passports in as little as 1-2 days.

        • mskeggs on 09/07/2017 - 18:30

          Go to the GPO, beg and plead. There is a good chance it will happen, I reckon. We have had to get travel docs sorted like this urgently, and the bureaucracy was helpful and fast.

        • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 18:35
          +2

          @mskeggs:

          GPO as in General Post Office?

        • mskeggs on 09/07/2017 - 18:38
          +3

          @nurries:
          Yes, the one in the middle of town. I think you can book an appointment online, and I would aim for 9am tomorrow morning!
          At the GPO they will have more volume/experience and know what is possible and what isn't compared to a little local post office who might not know all the ins and outs of the system.

        • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 18:46

          @mskeggs:

          Thanks, I'll look into that. I'm not sure Perth has one though. Looks like it closed down or moved?

        • mskeggs on 09/07/2017 - 18:55
          +1

          @nurries:
          LOL, you guys out west are cowboys!
          Go to the busiest post office, so they will know what is going on.

        • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 19:14

          @mskeggs:

          Our GPO was closed down to make room for H & M hahah

          Looks like it reopened at the traino though. Earliest booking is 9am :/

        • DirtyBoots on 09/07/2017 - 22:42

          @nurries: the one at 66 St George's is solid and they deal with a lot of drivers licenses, passports etc.

        • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 23:47
          +9

          Skip the GPO and go direct to the passport office, Auspost send it there anyway, then wait for it to come back.

        • PleasureMe on 10/07/2017 - 12:25

          @The Land of Smeg:

          THIS! Go to the passport office, don't trust Aus Post!

          Same situation happened to me a few years ago and I went to passport office and had a new passport in my hand in less than 48 hours.

      • MrTweek on 09/07/2017 - 22:30

        When applying, you can elect to pick it up in person.
        You will get a tracking number that shows you exactly when your passport is ready. If you apply Monday morning, you'll have 3.5 business days buffer and could in the worst case pick it up on Thursday.

    • marcusv on 09/07/2017 - 20:50
      +50

      DO NOT GO TO AUSPOST!! Go directly to the passport office in Perth, call 131 232 in the morning to make an appointment (from 6am Perth time)

      Level 17, Exchange Plaza
      Sherwood Court (off St Georges Terrace)
      Perth WA

      They open at 8.30am

      You may be able to get it done same day but if you get on to it first thing in the morning you should be right for thursday

  • whooah1979 on 09/07/2017 - 18:32

    I'm not 22

    so 23?

    • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 18:47

      Fixed, thanks.

  • Godric on 09/07/2017 - 18:38

    Surely you can get refund at back at least on accommodation if you don't get the passport renewed in time?

    • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 18:47
      +2

      Meant to be going with a group of friends. I don't want to make them pay for my share of the booking when it's my fault.

      • Godric on 09/07/2017 - 20:36

        Oh, well yeah thats fair enough

    • MrTweek on 09/07/2017 - 22:32

      Depends on where you booked, but cancelling short term for reasons that are entirely your personal fault is generally hard.

  • HardQuiz on 09/07/2017 - 18:40

    When is your flight ?

    Thursday morning or night ?

    • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 18:46

      Morning 7am.

  • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 18:43

    I've renewed my New Zealand passport on a Monday, flew to Sydney and picked it up Tuesday afternoon and flew out Tuesday night.

    Was a very expensive oversight, passport was nearly $500 and same again in flights.

    Kiwi passports used to only last 5 years too.

    • Tnetennba on 10/07/2017 - 18:49

      Kiwi passports used to only last 5 years too.

      Australian passport last for 10 years, but as OP was on a child's passport when he was 17, it was only 5.

  • Randxyz123 on 09/07/2017 - 19:03
    -1

    Damn.

    It's not impossible but given you live in Perth it'd be tricky.

    Get everything together tonight. Go to the post office first thing tomorrow get expedited processing. You SHOULD have it by Wednesday.

    Worst case can you change your flights? Call your airline and ask how much that would cost. Say you have an emergency to deal with and can't go on Thursday. Depending on who you talk to you might get someone nice who can put you on another flight for free or they could let you pay the difference.

    You may Arrive after your friends but still enjoy your holiday?

    May I ask where are you going? Do you need a visa as well?

    • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 19:06
      +7

      Probably can change my flights but I assume the cost will be huge considering I got them for really cheap.

      I'm going to Malaysia, so no visa required afaik.

      This adult life stuff is hard.

      • HardQuiz on 09/07/2017 - 19:29
        +6

        This adult life stuff is hard.

        Welcome to the real world son

        • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 19:30
          +35

          Thanks dad.

      • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 20:43

        How cheap? I'm going Thursday with Qantas

        • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 20:58

          $140ish return with AAX

        • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 21:43

          @nurries:

          Not bad! Is that all inc. tax?

          Mine is around $1,500 via Singapore with a day long stop in Singapore on the return.

        • Ridiculous Panda on 09/07/2017 - 22:07
          +3

          @Drew22: let him focus on his problem.

        • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 22:08

          @Drew22:

          Yep, all included except checked baggage and meals.

          Big difference between Qantas and AAX though haha

        • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 22:09

          @samBee:

          Can't really do anything about it at 8pm on a Sunday haha

        • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 22:09
          +1

          @nurries:

          Air Asia has really nice food! Personally the best for any airline in my opinion, especially if you pre-order the meal online.

          Go to KL often then?

        • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 22:12
          +1

          @Drew22:

          First time :) Their food menu did look good! I didn't preorder anything but I might buy a couple meals on my flight (assuming I can get on haha) :D

        • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 22:14

          @nurries:

          Defo buy online first! Much better selection than on the plan, but the plane stuff is good too.

        • Ridiculous Panda on 10/07/2017 - 00:58
          +6

          @nurries: But it's like asking someone who'd just been in a car crash how much he bought the car for lol

        • simmos on 10/07/2017 - 19:16

          @Drew22: Nasi Dagang $5 booked online - absolutely delicious and authentic too.

        • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2017 - 19:25

          @samBee:
          Not really the same thing at all. Not even close.

        • KupoHo on 11/07/2017 - 10:49

          @simmos:
          Love their chicken teriyaki !!!!

      • Sebastian on 10/07/2017 - 01:55
        +4

        See if it's cheaper to book a ONE WAY to Malaysia.. and then use your return flight back.

        • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2017 - 02:16

          Why didn't I think of that haha. If I don't get my passport til Thursday I can take the 4pm flight and only miss out half a day of my holiday. Thanks for the suggestion!

        • abb on 10/07/2017 - 10:00
          +4

          Except the airline is likely to cancel the return ticket if you don't show for the first flight…

        • 26144073772 on 10/07/2017 - 16:34
          +2

          @abb: Return ticket will still be valid with AirAsia. If you do miss your first flight, you can also get a refund on the Airport Tax portion.

        • purplelady on 10/07/2017 - 17:02

          @26144073772: Yeah this is right. I once booked a flight Syd - KL, KL - Jkt with only 1.5 hours gap and I bought it separately (plus the return flights). Realising I had like 10% chance to make it, I booked another KL - JKT, giving me more time to catch it.

          Then, as I had guessed, I missed the earlier one, and caught the later one. The return flights were not cancelled. And I asked for a refund on the Airport Tax. All was done with no issue.

        • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2017 - 19:28

          @nurries:

          AirAsia doesn't cancel tickets like that.

        • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2017 - 19:33

          @Drew22:

          It's all good anyway, problem seems to be solved :)

        • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2017 - 19:34

          @nurries:

          Good shit, be sure to party hard over there!

        • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2017 - 19:37

          @Drew22:

          I'll make sure to have a few drinks for you :D

  • ATD on 09/07/2017 - 19:24
    +3

    If you want to get it in the quickest possible time and make your trip, you should be going to your nearest Australian Passport Office and submit your priority application there and then collect it from there. Putting it through the post office is just more time lost imho when you don't have the luxury of time.

    • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 19:28

      Already booked an appointment first thing tomorrow with my GPO just in case my APO doesn't have any bookings left for tomorrow since you have to call and they're currently closed.

      • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 23:52
        +3

        Cancel it. Passport Office is the way to go, even if you get a later appointment time, Auspost send application into Passport Office at the usual collection time, processed at passport office, then sent back to you. so you lose 2 days of time. it's not worth it

      • justhooked on 10/07/2017 - 00:15
        +4

        Pleas listen to the people that tell you to go straight to the passport office in the am and you will get one that day , don't call or go to gpo just go straight to the passport office

        • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2017 - 00:17
          +2

          I'm doing exactly that. Currently preparing all my forms and have my alarm set for 6am ready to call the APIS in the morning. Straight to Officeworks for my photos after that and then straight to the APO.

        • justhooked on 10/07/2017 - 00:18

          @nurries:
          Good stuff enjoy your holiday

        • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2017 - 00:22
          +1

          @justhooked:

          Assuming I go on holiday haha

  • NancyCat on 09/07/2017 - 19:33
    +1

    I would call the Passport office first thing in the morning, to see if you can submit your application directly at the passport office. You don't want to rely on the post office to delivery your application to the passport office promptly. You can also arrange with the passport office to pick up the passport personally on Wednesday afternoon.

    Perth Passport office:
    Level 17, Exchange Plaza
    Sherwood Court (off St Georges Terrace)
    Perth WA

    Good luck.

    • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 19:35
      +1

      Thank you, also just saw this information on a gov website. Cancelled my appointment with the GPO and will be calling the APO first thing tomorrow morning.

      • justhooked on 10/07/2017 - 00:16

        Don't waste time calling just in the am

        • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2017 - 00:17

          It says you need to call for a booking, it's worth a shot.

  • Adz81 on 09/07/2017 - 20:06
    +10

    Oh, yeah, you flamingoed up good and proper… But you're fine, passport office, priority application (you'll have to cop the extra charge, but better than not going). I had the same thing (only I'd lost my passport), a little stressful, but contingency activities are awesome…

    For reference, my experience… A week before I was due to fly out…
    I knew I'd (profanity) up, but had the application filled out, photos signed by a jp, everything. Bam, job's right, I'm awesome… Then came the day to get my application in (Wednesday - flying out the following Tuesday, and I'm moving all of my possessions on the Monday).
    07:30: Board first available flight and travel 550km's to nearest passport office.

    09:20: Arrive at passport office, present paperwork.
    09:30: Passport office won't accept application because the JP's signatures aren't (profanity) close enough.
    9:45: Arrive at post office, get more photographs taken.
    10:15: call friend who's not working that day and lives in the city…
    Me: Shit's gone all sorts of pear shaped… I need someone with a valid passport to sign off on my photos.
    Friend: I don't think my passport is valid.
    Me: OK, are your electoral role details current? That should be OK…
    Feiend: I don't think so…
    Me: An entire sentence composed of profanity.
    Friend: I'll see if friend a & b can help.
    Me: Thanks, I'm in a cab almost at your place.
    13:00: Cue ahead 2.5 hours, photos signed, friend has driven me back to the passport office.
    Arrive with no appointment and wait… Difficult customer asks me if, "I can believe this shit?" referring to some issue he's having… Promptly reply to customer that I do not give a (profanity) about his problem, but his attitude probably hasn't helped him… Angry customer leaves… I wait… 45 minutes go by… Eating, waiting, bloody waiting, bloody… Finally get to present my paper work again… Everything seems to be in order… Until…
    Passport Office Lady: Oh, your address doesn't match…
    Me: No, it doesn't, but a week after my passport is issued, the address I've put on the paperwork will be my current address…
    POL: OK, we'll need a signed letter stating that.
    Me: Sure, may I borrow a piece of paper?
    Scrawl letter and sign it, all good… Then…
    POL: Oh, your signature on the paperwork doesn't match the signature on your license…
    Me: You what now?
    POL: Your signatures they're not the same…
    Me: it's kinda just changed over time…
    POL: We'll need a signed letter stating that…
    Me: May I borrow more paper please?

    Scrawl another note

    POL: And you want to pay the priority fee?

    Me: Well, not really, but I'm fairly sure that if I don't, my poor mum will have a heart attack- oh, nothing to do with you, but she was already stressed about my passport when she thought it was going to be lodged this morning…

    POL: …

    Well, this appears to be in order, we'll process this and call you when it's ready for collection.

    It's now 14:30, I call my friend back (they were waiting for me) …
    Me: Hey, are you nearby?
    Friend: Been doing laps around the block for the last 15 minutes, you ready?
    Me: Out the front… I might just pull this off.
    Friend: be there in five minutes, what time do you fly out?
    Me: Four boarding at twenty to , it'll be close, but I think we're good, I'll check-in on the way to the airport.

    15:15, arrive at the airport, hug & thank friend… Bolt into airport, get an excellent run through security screening, manage two gin and tonics in the Qantas lounge before strolling to board my return flight at 15:40…

    Got a phone call 36 hours later and the passport was ready…

    TLDR:
    If your paperwork is in order and you don't have to travel 550kms to a passport office, you're good… Try not to stress too much, contingency reaction planning and execution is brilliant fun :D

    Good luck and safe travels.

    • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 20:11

      So I should get all my forms and photos done before going to the APO?

      Sounds like you had a very stress free day /s

      • Adz81 on 09/07/2017 - 20:17

        A lot of mine was reactionary due to the original photos being stuffed up thanks to the JP… It should have been smooth as… If you're closer to a passport office than I am, you shouldn't have too many issues give the passport office a call first thing as others have suggested and get their take on it… Any paperwork you can have when you go in there first is a bonus I guess.

        It got better… On the day I was due to fly out, I arrived at the airport with NO bank cards on me (they were a 3 hour drive away- I'd taken them out to photocopy… For security and all that… Left them in the bloody copier… So that was fun… I do actually enjoy the, "Oh shit, time to think on my feet" moments though.

      • MrTweek on 09/07/2017 - 22:38

        Well, since you appear to be in a rush, it might make sense to get all the paperwork done BEFORE going to the passport office to hand them in.

        • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 22:48

          I'm not exactly sure what is needed and was hoping I could just fill it out over there.

        • MrTweek on 09/07/2017 - 22:50

          @nurries:
          You could start by going to http://passports.gov.au/, click on 'apply or renew', fill in the forms and read what they say about this.

          Just saying, you might save some time by doing that now instead of waiting until last minute.

        • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 22:53

          @MrTweek:

          I did go through that process but I didn't submit the application because I'm worried they might turn around and be like "Oh, you submitted the wrong thing and will have to wait 24 hours for it to be cancelled so we can submit a new one" or something along those lines. I would rather waste an hour or two tomorrow doing all these correctly than risking screwing up even further.

        • MrTweek on 09/07/2017 - 22:55
          +1

          @nurries:
          I think once you filled it out online, there's also an option to print it out instead of submitting online.
          This is generally a good idea because they are super pedantic with these forms (must be super accurate writing, must use black ink only, etc).

          Also, the paper form explains you in great detail what exactly you need to bring when lodging (i.e. you might need photos signed by someone).

        • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2017 - 00:11

          Thanks a lot for this, will be following exactly this! Hopefully the submission day is counted in the 2 business days for the priority service.

  • thatonethere on 09/07/2017 - 20:06

    I got some priority passports for the kids. It wasnt done in two days (7 days but before the travel was taking place).

    But i have seen people do it in 2-3 days at an APO.

    A lot of the delay seems to be the transfer of your forms to the passport office from the LPO and then the postage back to you.

    Good luck!

    • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 20:13

      Hopefully going from a child -> adult passport won't be an issue with the 2 business day service. Thanks!

  • JUSTINO on 09/07/2017 - 20:49
    +1

    Hurry up and renew your passport!

  • chumlee on 09/07/2017 - 20:55
    +1

    You can use my passport for a fee

    • fossilfuel on 09/07/2017 - 21:26
      +1

      How much to borrow your face?

  • rambutann on 09/07/2017 - 21:38

    Just FYI - you should be able to just do a renewal. I recently did one and I was in the same boat as you - got a child's passport at 17 and it was about to expire.

    Go to https://www.passports.gov.au/passportsexplained/pages/quicka… and go to 'prefill passport renewal' - get your pics done and take it in.

    But as already stated - you are in Perth so unless they do it by Wednesday, then express post it (which they dont - I'm fairly sure they only registered post it but I could be wrong) and you lived in an overnight express post area in Perth (which isn't that big because its Perth) then ye you're gonna have a bad time.

    If you are able to have the passport sent to an alternative address then I'd find out exactly where the passport will be sent out from, find someone you know that lives near there, then tell them to take it down to the airport and go to Qantas Freight, they'll have it on one of the next flights across to Perth and you'll have to go pick it up from the airport but it'll be same day. Again - this assumes a number of things..

    Best solution is a priority passport and buy a new flight for early next week.. But that's $$$ AF.

  • sanoze on 09/07/2017 - 21:56

    Plenty of time if the flight is on Thursday, I knew that cuz my cousin whose daughter Passport was expiring in less then 6 months and Singapore Airways refused to board her so they got the date extended for the flight for around $200 and then they applied the passport on Monday morning and got it on Tuesday afternoon, and then took the flight on Wednesday morning…Tell them you will pick it yourself instead of waiting for the post to deliver it to your place…

    • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 22:11

      What state was this in?

  • The Wololo Wombat on 09/07/2017 - 22:07

    I gave you a 10, but I still think you have a chance!

  • Chef-Johnson on 09/07/2017 - 22:11

    Have personally done the passport rush and had it next business day

    • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 22:11

      In what state?

      • Chef-Johnson on 09/07/2017 - 22:12

        Brisbane office

        • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 22:12

          Might need to fly over east if I can get it next business day guaranteed.

        • Chef-Johnson on 09/07/2017 - 22:13

          @nurries: worth a roll of the dice

  • Marcsie on 09/07/2017 - 22:11
    -2

    Haha, it's very funny :)

    • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 23:59
      +7

      Thanks! I hope you get hit by a bus :)

      • [Deactivated] on 09/07/2017 - 23:59
        -3

        its happened already. ;)

        • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2017 - 00:00

          Hope you got a decent payout then :)

  • heidisapirate on 10/07/2017 - 01:18

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't passports from age 16 plus last for ten years? Or have the rules changed recently?

    • [Deactivated] on 10/07/2017 - 03:08
      +2

      5 years if you're under the age of 18.

    • OzJD on 10/07/2017 - 03:38

      @heidisapirate I believe the current rule is 16+ - it may not have been that way back in 2012 though.

  • TtiGeR on 10/07/2017 - 02:44

    Plenty time.

    All Passport Offices (not AusPost) can process urgent renewals within 2 business days. The cost is high (almost $200 extra).

    For genuine emergencies (e.g. visiting overseas relatives who might not survive after 24-48 hours), they can even issue passports within hours.

    While they say you must have an appointment, ask nicely and they do help walk-ins as well. Prepare the docs. Visit the office early. You will be fine.

  • OzJD on 10/07/2017 - 03:37

    Does your current passport number start with an 'N'? The recent passports (>=2014) I've received are 'P' series (The passport numbers start with PA instead of N).

    If this is the case, make sure you let your travel agent/airline know (if you've given them your passport number previously)

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