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Original poster

Passport turnaround times

43 replies

Thinpigeon1 · 04/03/2023 21:01

Does anyone know what the current times are for passport applications? It would be two adult renewals and two new children's applications. Looking at a nearly last minute trip in May but not sure if that's cutting it too fine?!

OP posts:
stealthninjamum · 04/03/2023 21:02

Op this question was asked on my local Facebook group today and people were saying they’d had their passports back in two weeks.

HappierTimesAhead · 04/03/2023 21:03

Within a week for us

Anotheradventureforme · 04/03/2023 21:03

Sent mine off early Feb, had it back 10 days later (didn't pay any extras for speedy service). My supporting documents came back after another 3 weeks!

Meandfour · 04/03/2023 21:03

I reckon you’ll be fine for May.

Wait2see2 · 04/03/2023 21:05

No delays. I just got a child's first passport in under 2 weeks.

Wait2see2 · 04/03/2023 21:05

Forgot to say I didn't pay for speedy service and the supporting document came back about 3 days after passport arrived.

guessmyusername · 04/03/2023 21:19

Mine was back in a week with old passport sent to Glasgow office. Adult dd sent the day after mine to Bootle office took 2 weeks. Don't know how they decide which office the old passport is sent to but it does appear to make a difference. But the closer we get to the summer the longer it will take.

Paturday · 04/03/2023 21:20

You’ll be fine for May. Probably back by the end of March!

TalesofHoffman · 04/03/2023 21:25

I sent my dcs old passport and countersigned form for renewal which they received on 20/02 (they signed for it on 20/02). I got an update from the passport office saying they received it on 02/03. No news since.

Namechangetimesigh · 04/03/2023 21:27

The official line on their website is 10 weeks, but our renewal came back yesterday...a week after we sent it off!

In previous years, turnaround times got longer the closer you got to summer hols.

Brenna24 · 04/03/2023 21:29

I did the online renewal for DD on the 25th February, got it countersigned on the 26th, posted the docs off on the 1st and got a text and email to say they had received them on the 3rd. I will let you know from there.

Namechangetimesigh · 04/03/2023 21:29

Top tip - get the photos done by staff at an approved place, eg Max Spielmann, because they're approved on the spot, instead of risking having your own pics rejected and holding your application up.

samthebordercollie · 04/03/2023 21:32

I live in France and did everything online. Was pleasantly surprised to get the passport in less than 10 days. Absolutely non need to get professional photos done, we did ours with a phone and uploaded them, they were accepted no problem.

MisgenderedSwan · 04/03/2023 21:40

I did photos on my phone - the new update on the iPhone where you can take the subject out the pic and paste it on a plain white background. Sent the application, did the inferior verification and sent passport on 24th feb. Confirmed as received on 27th. Now waiting.

Strawblue · 04/03/2023 21:42

I got mine back a few days ago and it took just over a week for a renewal/name change.

DC’s is taking longer as they need another document sent.

parentallyadept · 04/03/2023 21:48

We recently did two renewals online, one came back as needing countersigning so took an extra day, both back in just under 2 weeks

TheSnailAndTheWaaaail · 04/03/2023 22:36

/ weeks from online application to passport landing through the door. First child passport.

TheSnailAndTheWaaaail · 04/03/2023 22:37

TheSnailAndTheWaaaail · 04/03/2023 22:36

/ weeks from online application to passport landing through the door. First child passport.

*2 weeks

Why can't we have an edit function?!

rickandmorts · 04/03/2023 23:15

Namechangetimesigh · 04/03/2023 21:29

Top tip - get the photos done by staff at an approved place, eg Max Spielmann, because they're approved on the spot, instead of risking having your own pics rejected and holding your application up.

Yes to this! Costs a bit more than doing it yourself but worth it for the peace of mind. You get a code that you type into the passport application and the pic pops up so it's very easy.

I applied for baby DD's last Weds. Had a text Monday to say her birth certificate had been received. And got a text yesterday saying it had been approved and was being printed so hoping it comes back before our mini break in April!

TroublesomeLuck · 04/03/2023 23:21

MisgenderedSwan · 04/03/2023 21:40

I did photos on my phone - the new update on the iPhone where you can take the subject out the pic and paste it on a plain white background. Sent the application, did the inferior verification and sent passport on 24th feb. Confirmed as received on 27th. Now waiting.

Slightly off topic but what update is that please? Could you talk me through it please?!

EasterIssland · 04/03/2023 23:23

Around 10-15 days for renewal of a child.

Soloparenthelp · 04/03/2023 23:28

I applied for my DS’s 1st Feb and it arrived on 15th Feb. Very fast turn around.

TheABC · 04/03/2023 23:39

1 week for renewal and 18 days for children's (countersigning delay). They are pretty good in the UK with an automated service to let you know each stage your application is at.

maximist · 05/03/2023 00:03

Mine took just over two weeks a few weeks ago, it was a renewal and I did it online. I took my own photo with my iPhone, against a cream wall, and they accepted it with no problems.

BreastedBoobilyToTheStairs · 05/03/2023 00:05

I received my renewal on Tuesday - less than two weeks from sending off my old passport. All online with an iPhone selfie on a plain, light wall. I was very pleasantly surprised!