Is a Passport my property or the governments.

So Paul is it cheaper to renew over getting a new one?
Mine expired probably around the same time as your mothers-way back when.

So Paul is it cheaper to renew over getting a new one?

Sorry, I might have phrased that badly.  When I said I renewed 10 years ago, I actually had a new passport issued.  Even without the change to the new burgundy-red EU passports, I don't think they'll renew the current 10-year passports, will they?  My old blue passport issued for 10 years in 1988 does have "This passport expires _____ unless extended" printed on it, but I'm guessing that was leftover wording from the days when they were initially issued for 5 years.

I'm working from memory, but if I recall correctly mom's passport which was issued in the very early 1950s was for 5 years and then had a renewal stamp for a further 5 years. 


P.S.  Note #7 inside the rear cover of the old blue passport, or on page 3 of the new red passport:

Caution.  This passport remains the property of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and may be withdrawn at any time. 

{.....}

The passport of a deceased person should be submitted for cancellation to the nearest such passport authority; it will be returned upon request.

Sorry, I might have phrased that badly.  When I said I renewed 10 years ago, I actually had a new passport issued.  Even without the change to the new burgundy-red EU passports, I don't think they'll renew the current 10-year passports, will they?  My old blue passport issued for 10 years in 1988 does have "This passport expires _____ unless extended" printed on it, but I'm guessing that was leftover wording from the days when they were initially issued for 5 years.

I'm working from memory, but if I recall correctly mom's passport which was issued in the very early 1950s was for 5 years and then had a renewal stamp for a further 5 years. 


P.S.  Note #7 inside the rear cover of the old blue passport, or on page 3 of the new red passport:

Yes Paul I wrote earlier that it cost 2/- a year to renew but I don't know how much it costs now.

Yes Paul I wrote earlier that it cost 2/- a year to renew but I don't know how much it costs now.

It's increased "only" by 720 times then!   The current fee is £72.

You need to get a new one.  Passports cannot be valid for over 10 years, and as far as I know it has been quite some time since they issued passports for a shorter duration to adults.

Vicky

It's increased "only" by 720 times then!   The current fee is £72.

I think that is a days wages, right?

I think that is a days wages, right?

I wish! 

Passports cannot be valid for over 10 years, and as far as I know it has been quite some time since they issued passports for a shorter duration to adults.

That's what I was getting at.  The passport office talks about "renewing" a passport (I have the forms here now as mine expires soon), but it actually means issuing a brand new one, not adding a renewal stamp as was done in the past.

It seems that 10-year passports were first issued in 1968:

http://www.ips.gov.uk/passport/about-history.asp

They talk about renewing because there is now a different process for first time applicants (such as interview).


Vicky

The good news.

You can get a passport free of charge. True!

I forget everything I read about renewing but the gist of it is that an expired renewal is treated the same as an original application.