Travelling with proof of ID

Practical information

To travel to any of the European Union countries (25 countries), a valid ID card or a passport, even less than 5 years out of date, is sufficient. Outside the E.U, you will need to present your passport and and visa according to the country visited.
To obtain a National Identity Card contact the Identity and Passport Service (IPS). You will not be able to apply for an ID card until 2009. To obtain a passport, contact : the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), or contact your nearest embassy, consulate or high commission. The documents you need: completed application form, signed and countersigned, two identical passport photos, one certified; documents that prove you are British. Validity: 10 years. Cost: it depends how you apply. It costs £72 for a basic postal application, £97 for a fast-track, one-week service. How long: several weeks. A minor travelling with their parents should have either their ID card or their passport if they are not on their parent's. From the age of 16, children must have their own passport and visa, thus you have to apply for an adult passport. If the minor is travelling alone, then they must have their National Identity Card and a parental authorisation. The documents you need for a child's passport: the child's full birth or adoption certificate showing parents' details and evidence of one parent's nationality or immigration status at the time of the child's birth, the mother's UK birth certificate or her passport that was valid at the time of the child's birth or the father's UK birth certificate or his passport that was valid at the time of the child's birth and the parents' marriage certificate. Validity period: 5 years. How long: several weeks.
The visa is obtained at the consulate of the country you are visiting. The documents you will have to provide vary according to the country: your passport must be 3 to 6 months valid after your return date, forms to fill in, ID photos, travel agency vouchers, criminal record... How long: from 24 hours to 2 to 3 weeks according to the situation. Cost: variable, from free up to around £50; according to how long you stay.
Some companies do visa applications in your name. Cost: from £10 to more than £120, according to the company, the visa, the emergency and the number of people (lower prices). Some even insure other applications (car registration, driving licence...). Some addresses: Identity and Passport Service (IPS), Passport Adviceline. Calls are charged at £8 per minute from a BT landline. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 0870 521 0410 For visa matters arising overseas. UK Visas, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, King Charles Street, London SW1A 2AH. Tel: 020 7008 8457 01 42 85 20 20. 01 53 76 03 03. Other documents: href="http://www.easyvoyage.com/pratique/6-carte-europeenne-d-assurance-maladie.html"Ask for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)The EHIC has replaced the old E111. From 1 January 2006, E111s are no longer valid. Validity period: 3 to 5 years. If your driving licence does not enable you to drive in a foreign country, apply for an International Driving Licence from your local authorities. Documents to be supplied: the driving licence, ID relevant document, 2 recent ID photos, residence relevant document. Free since the 1/01/2000. Validity period: 3 years. How long: immediate. Remember your vaccination book and the required vaccination (yellow fever, etc.), but also the one for your pets. Some countries have entry regulations for pets. Bring photocopies of your documents (passport, visa, tickets, bank card), useful in case of lost, stolen or damaged originals. Useful websites:href="http://www.service-public.fr">http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/index.htmhref="http://www.expatries.org">http://www.ips.gov.uk/href="http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr">http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ href="http://www.ameli.fr/"

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