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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that the passport office are taking the piss?!

52 replies

Doodledumdums · 29/05/2013 12:57

Seven weeks ago I applied for my baby sons passport, and STILL no passport. We are supposed to be flying on Friday Sad (luckily haven't booked flights yet, just accom- which I know was stupid)

They decided to do a spot check on the person who countersigned for us, even though he has signed loads of passports before. So this has held things up, but he complied immediately, so the hold up isn't down to him.

But seven weeks?!! Really?!

I don't understand why it is so risky to issue a passport to a four month old that it would take that long and need spot checks?! DH and I both have held British passports our whole lives, neither of us have even a trace of a criminal background, our son was issued a birth certificate so he is officially legitimate and linked to us, so why the hold up?!

I've called the passport office twice, and no one can tell me what is going on with it, not even if it has been dispatched. How am I meant to know whether it has been lost in the post or stolen or anything if they can't even tell me that?

Sorry, bit of a whinge! Has anyone else experienced this with the passport office?

OP posts:
HollyBerryBush · 29/05/2013 13:00

I always express mine through the post office. Guaranteed turn around.

Original poster
Doodledumdums · 29/05/2013 13:04

I really wish I had done that, really don't know why I didn't! Passports are fairly expensive though, I feel that even using the slowest route, seven weeks is a reeeeally long time. Looks like I should put all of my sons lovely holiday clothes away Sad

OP posts:
iwantavuvezela · 29/05/2013 13:04

I received my daughters within a week after they got hold of the person who counter signed. Good luck. Hope it comes this week.

Original poster
Doodledumdums · 29/05/2013 13:09

Well that fills me with some hope! The bank holiday has slightly messed things up as it means we've had one less working day. I really hope it comes tomorrow, my family are going to be really upset if my DS (and DH and I obviously...but it's the baby they are mostly interested in!) can't go on holiday.

If only we could revert to the old system where babies and children can travel on their parents passport!

OP posts:
janey223 · 29/05/2013 13:12

Can you go into the passport office?

Original poster
Doodledumdums · 29/05/2013 13:17

That would involve going to London though wouldn't it? And I think you have to have an appointment. I may be wrong though!

OP posts:
LifeofPo · 29/05/2013 13:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Doodledumdums · 29/05/2013 13:22

Yes, twice, but they can't tell me anything because I don't have the barcode number from the top of my application form. (I had no idea that I needed it, it certainly wasn't made very clear I don't think!)

OP posts:
Tiredmumno1 · 29/05/2013 13:22

I you haven't phoned them, then maybe you should and explain the situation, they might be able to help.

Tiredmumno1 · 29/05/2013 13:23

if not I Hmm

Tiredmumno1 · 29/05/2013 13:25

Sorry x-post, that doesn't sound very good, I'd phone again and hopefully you'll get someone that's a bit more helpful.

Original poster
Doodledumdums · 29/05/2013 13:34

Yes that's a good idea, the people I have spoken to before have been nice and apologetic, but I haven't got anywhere, I just keep getting a 'computer says no' response! Hopefully i'll get someone a bit more helpful if I call today.

OP posts:
Tiredmumno1 · 29/05/2013 14:19

Best of luck, I hope you manage to sort it, if they are still unhelpful, then ask if you could go to the passport office to sort it (if that's easier) Smile

Ihatepeas · 29/05/2013 14:29

My baby's came with in a week.. I'd be calling them again!!

ChewingOnLifesGristle · 29/05/2013 14:34

This doesn't sound rightSad There must be an explanation for the hold up. We renewed 3xdc's about 2 mths ago and they came back with a week.

Hope you get it sorted soon.

Scholes34 · 29/05/2013 14:35

Have you ever read any Kafka?

CajaDeLaMemoria · 29/05/2013 14:36

How many passports does the countersigner sign?

Signing a large number in a short space of time is a big flag, and they have been cracking down recently.

With a 7 week wait, I'd be thinking that there is an issue somewhere. Either with him, or with them not managing to link up some details about your son.

Can you really find nobody to speak to you on the phone? You might have to try a few times to get someone who will look it up without the barcode.

Good luck, though. I hope it's just the bank holidays that have messed it up, and it's in your hands very soon.

LifeofPo · 29/05/2013 14:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

aroomofherown · 29/05/2013 14:45

The passport office is a huge ball-ache!! My friend and I both applied for a first UK one around the same time, she got hers delivered to her home within a week; mine took longer and had to have a delivery arranged. No idea why there was a difference. This was after my citizenship certificate had an typing error on it and it took 11 weeks to get it replaced. Last year I had to get a replacement stamp in my old foreign passport and they kept my passport for 4 and a half months - I got it back 8 days before I was due to go on holidays with friends. I dread having to deal with either the Home Office or passport office.

CatHackney · 29/05/2013 14:51

My baby's passport arrived in 2.5 weeks from the day I submitted through the post office check and send service ... So definitely seems your application has encountered a problem and you need to speak to someone.

BehindLockNumberNine · 29/05/2013 14:54

I second (third, fourth) all those saying you need to chase it up. And refuse to hang up until you have some answers.

We applied for passports for the dc four weeks ago. I am Dutch, the dc are half Dutch so expected a longer turnaround.

New passports arrived within 3 weeks of us sending them via post office check and send service.

Chase it up. It has gone missing somewhere or has fallen behind a desk or something which would explain why nobody can help you...

CatHackney · 29/05/2013 14:56

My baby's passport arrived in 2.5 weeks from the day I submitted through the post office check and send service ... So definitely seems your application has encountered a problem and you need to speak to someone.

Smartiepants79 · 29/05/2013 15:00

I've just recently replaced both mine and my baby DDs. They each took less than 10 days to appear!
You have been unlucky.
Hope they turn up.

GoodbyePorkPie · 29/05/2013 15:06

"they can't tell me anything because I don't have the barcode number from the top of my application form."

I agree that you should call them again, I had something similar happen to me and was getting desperate. On the fourth go I got a really nice person who told me that I would have it within the week.

Good luck...

Choccywoccydodah · 29/05/2013 15:08

Omg, we did ours (not through the po) and got our ds's back within a week! Yes, definitely taking the piss!