MAKE sure your Passport is valid and in order before the summer travel rush begins.

That's the message from the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) as the Province gears up for the big summer getaway.

Prospective travellers should check that their passports are fully up to date and ensure they leave enough time to apply for new documents before travelling.

Research conducted for the Passport Service revealed that: 17 per cent of people start looking for their passport one day before a trip; 15 per cent start looking only a few hours before a trip; seven per cent have had a last minute panic because they were going away and either didn't have or couldn't find their passport; and three per cent have left home for a trip abroad without their passport.

First-time adult passport customers are not able to use the fast track one-week service, as the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) has introduced face-to-face interviews as part of the passport application process.

Bernard Herdan, IPS Executive Director for Service Delivery, said: "If you're planning a trip abroad this summer make sure your passport is top of the ´to do´ list and get it organised now, before you book your holiday.

"With identity theft on the rise, new developments are being introduced to help fight passport fraud and forgery. The interviews will be brief and straightforward, and are a simple and effective way to protect our customers´ identities, making it much harder for a fraudster to get a passport."

The interviews are for passport customers aged 16 or over and who are applying for a passport for the first time. They are being introduced along with other anti-fraud measures to help fight passport fraud and forgery, protect the UK public from identity theft, and ensure the British passport stays one of the most secure and respected in the world. The fast track one-week service will continue to be available as usual for all other passport customers, such as for passport renewals.

Also, keep in mind strict guidelines for the photographs you submit with your application. To avoid resending photos, take into account the photograph size, background, paper type, and, that it shows, a neutral expression, mouth closed, and no refection of glare on your glasses. Luckily children aged five and under do not need to have a neutral expression and babies under one year do not need to have their eyes open.

In the past babies and children could be included on a parent or guardian's passport. The law has now changed and babies and children up to 16 who are not already on a parent's or guardian's passport must have their own child passport if they are going to travel abroad. A child passport is valid for five years. When it runs out you can renew it for another five years, and so on.

If your child is under 16 they cannot apply for an adult passport. For example, a 15-year-old who needs a passport must apply for a five-year child passport. They can use this until it runs out, in this case when the 'child' is 20.

When a child reaches 16 the next passport they apply for once their current five-year child passport runs out should be a 10-year adult passport.

If you haven't applied for a passport for 10 years, the price may come as a bit of a shock. Prices of Renewal or Amendment of an existing UK adult passport is £72.00, guaranteed one week Fast Track service is £97 and for the guaranteed Premium one day service, £114. A First Child passport starts at £46 and £94 for The Premium service. For a Jumbo passport - 48 page (not available to children) the prices start at£85 and ends at £123 for the Premium one day service.

By Elaine McComb