To book a holiday before a passport arrives?

[MsWalterMitty]

Found a really good deal today for a week’s holiday abroad during Easter. Got all excited, dug the passports out and have realised that ds(12)’s is out of date! 😫… This would never have happened I’d it wasn’t for bloody Covid!!

Anyway, I’ve booked a fast track, so it’ll be here for 5th April… as long as the week fast track works! Doe any one have experience of it not working?

The date of the holiday is 8th, so cutting it very fine!

Would you?!

@Flockameanie similar situation, did normal application for sons first passport, Royal Mail lost his birth certificate
Had to change to a 7 day in person application.
Beyond stressed right now!!

@Flockameanie

Feeling your pain @LGY1! DH spent something like 100 mins on hold with the passport office at the end of last week.

My cousin did the 7 day fast track service for her child 3 weeks ago and she got it back 13 working days later. Luckily she doesn't need her passport till next week. Not worth booking a holiday as no insurance will cover you for passport issues.

My friend is doing this. Her boyfriend's passport has expired and didn’t realize until they were about to book . They decided to book the trip anyway and do a fast track! She should get the passport a day before travelling. It is literally touch and go for her but it is a guaranteed service!

[quote LGY1]@Flockameanie similar situation, did normal application for sons first passport, Royal Mail lost his birth certificate
Had to change to a 7 day in person application.
Beyond stressed right now!![/quote]
Oh poor you. I actually first joined Mumsnet because there was a passport crisis and wondered if I’d get my passport in time for my holiday . I hope you get through!

@LGY1

Had the 7 day fast track appointment on 10th March. Still waiting for passport, we go on Friday! I spent 7 hours on the phone getting nowhere yesterday!! Even the phone operators tell you it’s not 7 days, could be 10+ (not what the website says!!)

Eeek the piece of paper they gave me at the appt definitely says one week! Did they give you a reason for the delay? Was there an issue with something ? Really hope it arrives on time 🤞🏼

@HaggisBurger 3 days after my husband went to the appointment I got a text update on the original application text thread saying “we have received your documents”
I had a suspicion they had linked the two & it was being processed as a normal application
I called them numerous times, only to be fobbed off that it wasn’t possible.
Only listened to me once it was 10 days since app & got escalated to a Manager
The first thing he said was “ah, have you got another application?

That was yesterday morning, promised a call back, never happened.
4 hours on hold last night, spoke to the “progressions team” who promised it would move to the highest priority, but at the moment it’s still sat at “being looked at”
I’ve spoken to 4 people this morning, husband currently on hold again to the progressions team
Need it printing today and posting tomorrow for us to have any chance!

Don't do it. Currently playing passport roulette from outside the UK and it's soooo stressful. If anything doesn't go as planned you'll get no help or answers.

Ah @LGY1 - how frustrating! Yes they asked me at my appt to confirm that we had no existing application in the system. That can obviously confuse thing but it so annoying that they wouldn’t listen to you. Really hope it gets printed today 🤞🏼🤞🏼

@HaggisBurger husband took a letter as instructed. Still didn’t work.
Would have helped if they had listened to me in the first place

I wouldn’t but it could depend on where you send your renewal. I’ve had a dreadful time renewing my youngest’s, did the photo booth photos and sent in the old passport for it to be sat there for 10 days before they did anything with it. It’s now been 4 weeks and they have approved the renewal so I’m just waiting for the new passport. Thankfully, I hadn’t booked anything (and generally don’t unless I have 4 in date passports) but it’s definitely been really slow this time round.
I remember her last renewal fondly, no fast track and sent to Peterborough and had it 5 days later….it was exceptionally good!

[quote HaggisBurger]@MsWalterMitty - what did you do? Not book? Just got a text to say the passport will be out in a few days (this was from the Fast Track appt late on Friday). It says officially they don’t update you. But I take that to mean someone else has physically looked at the form and approved it as there was always a possibility of queries (even though it was checked at the counter in the passport office). 🤞🏼 I get it tomorrow or Thursday.[/quote]
I haven’t booked! Seems too risky. Although I’n desperately keen to go away!… Wondering if I can leave 12yr old at home 🤔 🤣

@ChicCroissant

No, I wouldn't risk it. We still don't get mail every day here so even if the passport was processed I'd be worried about the delivery.

That’s my biggest worry! My dh was a postie and I was suprised when he told me they leave some rounds for a day or 2 when they’re busy!

Just got a Royal Mail pre delivery notification by text for tomorrow. I paid the extra few quid for special or tracked delivery

And then bizarrely it’s just arrived. So that’s Friday 5pm to Wednesday 10am. Pretty good going HMPO 😀

@HaggisBurger

And then bizarrely it’s just arrived. So that’s Friday 5pm to Wednesday 10am. Pretty good going HMPO 😀

Hurrah! What a relief. Gives me hope we’ll be ok. Which passport office was it?

It was the main one in London. Was busy but well staffed it seemed.

@HaggisBurger

It was the main one in London. Was busy but well staffed it seemed.

Great, thanks - that’s where our apt is

OP, did you get your passport? My friend did a fast track and got her passport within 3-4 days.

@Hairbrush123

OP, did you get your passport? My friend did a fast track and got her passport within 3-4 days.

Hi, I went to Durham on Weds morn. I have received a text today saying it’ll be here in a few days.

I’ll update when/if it arrives 😀

Well..erm..we did..all 3 of our children’s hadn’t arrived. Let’s just say my husband drove to the depot to collect them the night before 😅

Update: my son’s passport arrived today!…. So took 4 days! I’m impressed 😀

Great news! My friend is off on her holiday tomorrow £147 lighter. Enjoy your holiday whenever you go!