Passport advice

[Fleurjoy]

I hope this is the right place to post this.

Do people use GOV.UK for their passport renewal applications, or should I go to the post office? Which method is more straightforward and less hassle for the application? Also, how long does it take to receive your passport if you apply online? Thank you.
I am going away for the New Year, so it is a long way off.

If you’ve already got an adult passport do it online it’s quick and simple.

It’s cheaper to do it online and very easy. I did mine last week and posted docs off Monday last week. I had a text today to say it had been approved and that they would let me know when it’s been posted to ms 😊

The website is a doddle, do it on your phone so you can take and upload the photo easily. Ten minute job once you’ve got a pic you’re happy with!

Just renewed two passports for my adult dc and we don't actually live in the UK. All done online. One was queried and needed a friend to confirm ID - again all online and instant confirmation. Beginning to end less than three weeks. Really impressed.

Id be surprised if many people go to the PO nowadays as it's so easy to do online

Do they even still do the checking service anymore?

Do it online ASAP as you'll need it for visa waiver process.

Thanks all. I appreciate all your replies.
I haven't been abroad in donkey years due to ill health and family problems. Hopefully, there will be no distractions or obstacles in the way.
I hope my pic looks ok..🙂

It's more expensive to do a paper application
Do it online; it's pretty straightforward

I think the Post Office is still there as an option for people who can't/won't do such things online.

We have to do our passports later this year and I'm glad you can now take your own photos, last time phone photos were often rejected but obviously phone cameras have improved massively since then.

The Post Office is good for those who like me get anxious they've messed up the application as the person behind the counter will let you know if everything in your application is in order. Piece of mind over a rejected email from .Gov

Me too, just removed the worry...

Getting an acceptable photo can be a bit of a faff. If you can get a passport grade photo from a photographer (digital) or I think some machines will give you a code that you can put in. That’s what I did for my Irish passport.

I did the photo's through a shop and got a code when I renewed mine. The website was a breeze. I sent the old passport back the following day. Application Sunday, passport sent back Monday, new passport arrived Saturday! It was in January though.

I went to a local photo place. They took the photo, sent it off and my new passport took less than a week to arrive.

I just got DC to take a photo with my phone. There are apps you can use to pass the photo through to make it passport compliant before submitting it. They remove background shadowing etc for a small fee. Handier than going to town to a photo booth.

I also recommend getting your photo done a Timpsons, they understand what is likely to be accepted/not and will keep snapping til they are happy. You get your prints and a code to upload to the passport website, which makes your picture magically appear! It’s dead easy.

Online is really easy. Just renewed mine and applied for DCs. Arrived 2 weeks after application. You will still have to post old passport or birth certificate depending on renewal or new application.

For the photo there is an indicator that tells you how likely it will be accepted. I went to a local photo place but you could do them yourself.

Definitely online. Have your photo done at a photo shop and get the code. Not mine, but when I did the dc last year, I mistyped and entered dh’s birthday wrong on one of them. So passport office had to contact me to request that I send in his birth certificate for proof of the correct date. Even with that hold up, I had them in 2 weeks from submitting the application.

The apparent Post Office checking service completely messed up my mothers application by ticking a random box, it took weeks to sort. I'd never trust them now.

Online however was easy.

How old is your Passport (you say not been abroad for donkeys years) ?

So long as it's not from before 1994 it should only take a week

OH's took months as it was so old

Definitely online.

Renewed mine on the Tuesday evening, new passport arrived Friday of the same week.

@Oldraver I think my passport is 12 years old.
I used to travel a lot, so in the New Year, I want to step out of my comfort zone and enjoy myself at my age. Also my friends and families are getting older, and I love to visit them and connect with them again.
@BellaVita That was quick!

Thanks again, good info, advice and helpful suggestions. xx