Passport application or renewal timelines in one place at a glance -add yours!

[EveSix]

In the light of the hefty current backlog of processing passport applications, I thought it might be informative to start a thread for keeping an eye on other people's timelines for the applications for and renewal of UK passports. Personally, I'm hoping for reassurance at best, or a grim-faced reality check at worst.
I'll start. How about this format:
Type of passport requested: 2x DC UK renewals
Date of application: 18th of April
Method: Check and Send at local post office
Anyone want to add their stats?

I only say that because I messed up the spelling on DC 1st passport,where they had the BC as well.
It got printed with the mis -spelled middle name .
I did his next 5 year renewal with the same mis spelt name to make it easier .
This time ,as he is going into adult passport, I sent other official stuff to correct it .
His was the first back .

I definitely have an issue with middle names !

I’ve called them like 5 times today I hope this helps and not makes it worse 🫣😂😂

I've applied for my UK passport renewal from Australia. As required, I sent a photocopy of every page of my Aussie passport. Now they say they that's not what they want, even though the fucking page I've screenshotted from HM Passport says exactly that. They now want an "official" copy, but don't say what an official copy IS.

It's cost a fortune in copying and tracking so far and I don't want to get it wrong. I dread trying to phone them tomorrow to find out what an official copy is. I can imagine it's a person of standing, but do they sign every page (23!!!)?

They messaged and emailed me. I'll send it off today and see what happens.

Had a message this morning....
It is being printed....🤞

So apparently now they cannot find my documents at all, daughters have even been put into a queue to be checked supposedly. Was told I would have a call back within 48 hours it’s now after today been more like 60 and apparently now under having an “urgent” call back my arse. Why why why

Oh Markygirl1995 , I hope you have some luck today sorting it out.

I have had a message ,.Due to be delivered today .

But also reading about the proposed BA strikes !🤨

1 x child renewal from abroad
Applied for online on 17 May 2022
Old passport to be sent to Durham
Waiting time quoted as 11 weeks

Old passport delivered on 24 May
Receipt confirmed online on 14 June (i.e. a three week delay)

Application approved on 21 June
Printed and dispatched on 23 June
Delivered (abroad) on 27 June

Six weeks in total (excluding return of supporting documents - but I'm not so bothered about that!)

BEST OF LUCK to all those still waiting.

IT HAS ARRIVED !!
Just posted through the door.

Application was 8th April.

Good luck everyone else who is still waiting

And thank you for this thread.

I will still follow it because I am nosey!
RAIN , i really hope you get your son's "special" passport sorted x

Sorry....@Rainallnight

I just wanted to give some positive news to anyone applying, my dd applied for her child to adult renewal as old one expired, done online.
She applied 14th June & it just got delivered.
Exactly 2 weeks, I’m amazed at the speed of it.
Good luck to others too

@bizzey that’s so kind of you! Thank you for your support

Right people, I have an update and need help.

I sent off the additional documentation the passport office asked for. Tracked, it was signed for by Passport Office. I expected the usual delay in uploading it onto the system.

But on Thursday, I got an email from the passport office, written as though the previous request had never taken place, asking for the additional documentation. That is, it wasn’t a chasing email, it was explaining and asking from scratch everything they asked for on the phone a few weeks ago.

So that feels like we’ve just gone completely back to square one.

We’re flying in two weeks.

What number do I ring? Where do I go if I have to go up to Bootle passport office myself?

Help, please!

Finally update on my renewal!! Applied 7th may, received in Durham 20th may. Posting today! Yippee now to wait on my daughters first passport !

DS’s renewal came back today after a 3 week wait. North West

Applied 2x child renewals via post and 1x adult renewal online May 5th. Adult renewal back within 3 weeks, no probs. 1x child renewal took 9 and a half weeks. Second child renewal took til today to print and issue, 10 and a half weeks of waiting. Both Durham Office. No issues with applications. Both sent off via Post Office Check and Send recorded delivery service on 5th May, but Durham office claimed they didn't receive them until a week later, on Friday 13th May. When it got to 2 weeks before our holiday and still no remaining child passport, I rang and requested an upgrade. Asked to email a copy of our flight booking which i did, to [email protected]. That was last Tuesday. Then I had to wait with my phone near me at all times to get a phone call today (3 days before flight) to say passport is going to print and do I want to collect it or have it couriered out, which can take up to 48 hrs. I opted to go and fetch it, fortunately Durham only 1.5 hours drive away. Once there, I was in and out in 10 minutes, but only because I had taken customer services adviser's advice NOT to turn up UNTIL rung by upgrade team. Many people had turned up on spec and were turned away or waiting around all day to see someone. The upgrade team work through the requests in date order of when you are flying, so they will prioritise the passports of those flying within 48 hours first. That is why there is absolutely no point ringing customer services or going to your passport office on spec or more than 3 days before you fly; you MUST ring to request an upgrade WITHIN 2 weeks of your travel date, only if you have been waiting more than 6 weeks for your passport. Those are the 2 criteria for an upgrade. Then, an advisor will make an upgrade request on your behalf to the upgrade team and send you an email confirming this. You must supply proof of date of travel via email to the upgrade team- i sent pdf if holiday booking confirmation detailing flights. You then must WAIT (the hard part) for them to contact you, which is likely to be 2 days before you need to travel. Expect no communication from them in the meantime, and calling customer services is pointless. Once called (keep ypur mobile phone on you ALL the time as they will ring from private number) you then rush up to go and collect it, or let them post it out to you via did courier (if you're feeling really brave!)
Hope this helps anyone out there in the same boat. It was horrible and nerve-wracking, but the system did work, thank God, and I did get my passport today, so I am happy and won't lose the holiday- woo hoo! We travel in 3 days.

Just popping in to say we finally got the DC's passports. Delivered one after the other on consecutive days. Such a relief as we travel next week. I had to step away from the thread since starting it as the whole circus was becoming too stressful. Wishing everyone the very best of luck, and safe, speedy deliveries!

Doesn't look like we're going to be able to get abroad this summer

Didn't book anything as dh's passport needed renewed. Sent it off on 2 May (just as ds's 1st adult passport albeit a renewal arrived, only 2 weeks after it had been applied for ) and it's stuck doing nothing in Belfast . We can't apply for it to be upgraded , although it's now 11 weeks , as we don't have any holiday at all in the next 2 weeks booked

Applied for adult renewal online on 10th July. Posted old passport on 11th. Received in Bootle on 12th. New passport arrived on 19th July. I was amazed at the speed after reading some of the horror stories on this thread!

@Rainallnight and others....
Really useful thinks in this thread. I'm new to the Mumsnet forum. 3 apps made for 3 children. 2 passports received within 8 weeks.... But....
Passport application for my son made 15th April, documents received 25th April. Think it went to Belfast. Included change of name.
App isn't recognised on the system, nor.al phone system have passed me through to the progress team a couple of times but not really got anywhere tbh.

We fly in 2 weeks, 15th August. Have expedited via the expedite email address and apparently I just have to wait for an email. Just emailed my MP.

Can anyone offer any advice on the best way to get this progressed?

We are stressed and panicking and already being told by the airline that they won't change the name on the flight details and may have to rebook a seat and pay again.

Any advice is much appreciated. I'm not on Facebook.

I put a very straightforward renewal in at start of May and I finally had an email a few days ago to say mine was approved and then being being printed and delivered . All I can think that seemed to make process move faster was emailing my MP, she contacted the home office and then it just felt like she speeded things up. I also called every day for progress - used this number which gets you through to an actual person 01633 285418. There is also a text number you can use. I got all this from Passport Chaos Facebook group and I have to say there was some really helpful info on there.

People are going directly to passport offices if they are flying within 48 hours and on the whole coming away with a passport. This was my plan until yesterday! It's all so stressful though and I really sympathise as it was causing me so much anxiety!

You should definitely challenge this as I was told the same and they did end up expediting it. I said this above but getting my MP involved really helped although I know this isn't the case for everyone

@AnniePie - can you get to a passport office? Doesn't need to be Belfast - just one of the ones that issued passports (like Peterborough, Glasgow, Liverpool, Newport, London although London doesn't seem to be as helpful ), not a processing one like Bootle.

Ideally no more than 48 hours before departure as they prioritise the queue according to 24/48 hours departure, but you could try and chance your arm earlier if there is good reason.

Get there really early (eg 6 or 7am and be prepared to queue. Take a chair and food . Be polite. It might will probably take all day - you might be sent away and told to await a call.

Most of them seem to be open on Saturdays too (even if they say they're not ). Not sure about Sundays.

Ignore everything you're told on the phone/text messages about not going to the office.

Good luck.

@newlabelwriter : Dh's passport was approved on Friday and arrived today - with no input bar patience from us.

Dh did however write two excoriating feedback questionnaires (at different points in the long process) about what he thought about the service

Only took 13 weeks

Brilliant - such a relief to get the passport in hand, isn't it?