Passport office - I need ideas

[PassportMessUp]

So 13 weeks before travel I sent off ds2’s passport renewal. This is his second passport. None of his details have changed. I am married and live with his father. I am English by birth and h has a British passport granted years ago. We don’t have a criminal record nor cases pending. They have not spoken to the counter signature. They just say we are at the ongoing security checks stage. They have told us they have no obligation to tell us what these are or when or if they will be completed. It has been 8 weeks. Any ideas what could be the problem? Or anyone encountered similar? We need the passport so we can visit family.

I would contact your MP. 8 weeks is beyond reasonable.

I would also take this further 8 weeks is ridiculous. If you have a good MP that would be one way to go. It could be they've messed something up or confused your application.

That is what I was thinking. It is the frustration. They won’t tell us the problem. H is wondering if they have lost the application and they are hoping we will go away. I’m wondering if they taken one look at our name and decided immigrants. But when I changed my passport name I provided my marriage certificate plus when my parents applied for my first over 30 years ago they would have had my birth certificate. H has a fully checkable history. I’m so lost.

I am sure I read somewhere after so long the application drops off the system and you have to apply again. If you don't get any joy with your MP demand a call back from a manager at the passport office.

I would ask for complaints procedure but also check how long other people’s passports are taking . I can remember there been a big problem a few years ago

OP you mention that you are English by birth...but are you Asian or have an Asian first name or surname? On your previous passport was there any stamps for visits to middle eastern countries

I'm not meaning anything by the questions, I'm just wondering if they are using that as a reason for security checks ...(if they are then it is racist in my opinion and I echo the above poster who said involve your MP...you are entitled to know what is going on)

I'd just assume that they had some priority work and it was delaying passport applications. Asking your MP is a good idea.

We are not Asian but my husband’s home country is classified as Muslim. I seriously am beginning to think that someone just saw the name and started immigration checks. It is complete madness. We always got passports back in a couple of weeks. Even h’s first passport was back in less time and he had to do an interview. They just won’t talk to us. They keep saying we are under no obligation to tell you anything!

Definitely contact your MP. Ours was fantastic when we had a passport issue last time (entirely of our own making btw 😁).

Well the counter signature has rung - they have contacted her to confirm things. She is going to fax apparently- I’m surprised they still use fax machines. She is my husbands accountant and a lovely woman. She is also not british by birth - maybe that was an issue too? She has held her British passport for years mind.

I’ve also re read the application and so have family - no one can see errors.

Well it is 9 weeks and counting. They still won’t explain what the problem is other than the need for security checks. He is 5 and neither of us - his parents - have had as much as a speeding ticket. No response from the home office to my MP. No response to my complaints. Spoke to resolutions team and no explanation from them. My mil is in tears as she thinks she won’t see her grand children again. I have no idea what I can do. H is in denial and booked an apartment at the beach for us all - that includes the in laws. I