We all know that our passports should have plenty of date left on them when we plan on setting off on our holidays, but did you know that the smallest of blemishes can prevent you from flying this summer? Should your passport have a little too much wear and tear or water damage, you could be left out of pocket at the gate while your friends and family head off without you.
You may have read earlier this week that one holidaymaker flying from Australia to Bali was blocked on arrival, due to a one centimetre tear in his travel documents - forcing him to spend a day at airport security and £800 out of pocket.
And with passport renewals taking as long as ten weeks to receive at the time of writing, the sooner you check your document, the better chance you have of getting away in the prime holiday season. But what do you need to look out for to avoid getting stung at the airport?
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Thankfully, The Mirror has put together a list of common passport mistakes which could stop you flying this summer.
1. Not enough pages
Post-Brexit, border officials are required to stamp UK passports - so government officials can keep tabs on who has been where. Cody Candee, who is the founder of luggage storage company Bounce, has warned travellers that they could be faced with certain issues if their passport is overly full.
He said: "If you run out of blank passport pages you will have to renew your passport sooner than your renewal date. Some countries, such as Italy, require a fully blank visa page for valid entry, while others, such as South Africa require at least two.
"Be sure to check the requirements of your chosen destination before traveling so that you don’t get caught out."
You can renew or replace your passport online via the Government website.
2. The dates are wrong
While many people know that their passports need to be valid for at least three months after their departure date when heading to an EU country, people sometimes forget that your passport must have been issued less than ten years before the date of entry.
Many travellers have been caught out at the airport thinking that they are good to go because their travel document isn't due to expire for some time. But if you turn up to an airport without a valid passport, you could be denied entry to EU countries altogether.
Countries outside of the EU also may have further rules and regulations with regards to expiry dates upon visitation - so be sure to do your research before you book up.
3. It's too damaged
While a small portion of wear and tear isn't likely to cause you much trouble at the gate, overly damaged passports could see punters spend their week of annual leave at home, rather than in the sun. Officials have the right to stop you passing through if your personal details or observation pages are unreadable, laminate is peeling, or details cannot be made out.
Missing pages as well as those that are detached or cut out are another reason why security officers may turn you away.
Should damage be present not on the personal details or observation pages, and all visas, vignettes or immigration stamps are unaffected by the damage, security guards are more than likely going to let you through. Tears, rips, burn marks, writing and drawings only become problematic when they are on the cover, aforementioned sections or blank visa pages.
4. Liquid issues
Relating to damage, if your travel documents have become spoiled by water or booze, then you could find yourself with a problem. This is particularly problematic when liquid has caused discolouration, ink bleeding, or severe staining.
If there's only a slight touch of water damage to the page edges however, you should be sweet.
5. Beware of copycat websites
If you come to understand that you need a new passport, you should only apply for one via the official Government website - and avoid imitation copycats at all costs. Said websites charge users in the region of £20 to £100 on top of the normal passport fee, for offering additional 'validation' services.
However, you should never use these as they're more than likely a scam which will steal your money and personal information.
Always use the reliable source, such as the official Government website of the Post Office's Check & Send Service - which offers in-depth passport application guidance from specially trained personnel.
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