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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
laine Blackburne & Sophie Buchan

Vital passport checks you must make before you fly to avoid missing your holiday

There are some vital checks that you should carry out before you get to the airport.

The reminder comes as the government announced the price of a new passport will rise within weeks.

This means that the fee for a standard online application made within the UK will rise from £75.50 to £82.50 for adults. Meanwhile for children, the fee will rise from £49 to £53.50 whilst postal applications will increase from £85 to £93 for adults and £58.50 to £64 for children. To avoid the hike, people are urged to apply before February 2 - as this is when the increase in prices are set to come into force.

READ MORE: National Pothole Day: Five things you should be doing as soon as you hit one

But if you are planning a trip soon and need to use your travel document, there are three checks that you should carry out, as reported by Hull Live. Failure to carry out checks could risk your holiday, and all the money you've saved up.

Here is what holidaymakers need to consider...

When does it run out?

Before you fly, you will want to double check your passport's expiry date. And just because it is valid until after your planned return doesn't guarantee it will be ok to use.

Some countries require travellers to have at least three months left on the document by the date they plan to leave the destination - this includes anyone going to Europe.

To find out more about the country you are planning to visit you can check with your airline. Alternatively the government website has details of European countries as well as further information of all destinations.

When does it start?

It is crucial to check the date your passport was issued as under new rules, travellers are no longer allowed passports which have more than 10 years left on them.

Previously, British passport holders could carry over up to nine months from their previous one but now, according to the Association of British Travel Agents, you must now ignore any extra months you gained by renewing the document early.

They state: "Your passport cannot be more than 10 years old when entering the country – so check when your passport was issued and when it is due to expire."

Is it damaged?

A damaged passport is not the end of the world, but in some cases, whether it's water damage or a slightly torn page, it could be the end of your holiday before it even begins.

If the condition is in too poor a condition, you could be turned away from passport control. According to the Government website passengers are advised: "You must replace your passport if it has more than reasonable wear and tear because you may not be allowed to travel with it."

It's also important to note that there needs to be ample space for stamps needed by the country you have visited. Turkey, for example, demands visitors have a full page for the exit and entry stamp.

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