Fast Track Passport renewal appointments

[Sarwrigh]

Not really an AIBU but posting here for traffic and in case the good people of AIBU can advise.

I need a passport renewed before the 8th June and tried going online on the fast track service to get an appointment. It appears that there are no appointments. I knew that there was a backlog but didn’t know that even fast track service was offering 0 appointments.

Does anyone have any advice on what to do? Has anyone been in this situation recently and managed to get a successful renewal fast? How are people getting a passport renewed for urgent travel?

Thanks

I don't think you will get one. If you can get a fast track appointment, which is nothing short of a feat of endurance the appointments are issues three weeks in advance, then add the one week wait and its not possible

It can be done - just keep trying every 15 mins or so - fast track appointments do appear, and sometimes they are only a few days away. Be warned though you may have to be willing to travel! Myself and my friend have managed to get appointments this way, albeit in Durham and Glasgow! (We are based in London).

for reference the online premium appointments are the ones that tend to be bookable 3 weeks in advance, fast track are also released that way but more immediate ones do come up - it’s just a matter of trying constantly throughout the day for a number of days!

A friend of mine needed one urgently last week but she was at work. I sat and refreshed the page because I was home, at 9am there were 30 appointments free over 3 days (25th-27th May) by the time I had contacted her (less than 5 mins) they were all gone again. 20 mins later I refreshed again and managed to get her one on the 23rd that wasn't even there before.

Probably not helpful but you just need to keep refreshing and checking, good luck

Good to hear - I’m trying now and am terrified we’ll have to cancel our holiday. Who knew a passport could last more than 10 years! Thank goodness DH checked.

Fingers crossed, I didn't know about the other options, I'm currently waiting In The Queue where they have all the info but nothing is happening

It took me about 5 days of constant refreshing to get anything - don't lose hope!

I started searching for fast track appointments last week and got one yesterday for Glasgow. I refreshed every few minutes pretty much for 4 days straight. In my experience the appointments don't appear at midnight. On the two occasions I managed to access appointments it was late morn/late afternoon. There are def appointments there, you just have to stay calm and keep refreshing. If you keep refreshing every few minutes chances are eventually you will hit upon the moment they come up. I managed that twice in four days. You will def get a fast track appointment as long as you are prepared to constantly refresh and travel-take the first appointment that appears no matter where it is!

You need to sit and refresh it all day. They do pop up randomly but go very quick

Just an update, it appears that appointments are added after lunchtime. At least that’s what I noticed over the last two days. On Monday I was seeing appointments for June, but today there were some for this weekend. Good luck everyone and thanks for your advice

You can also choose another office no local to you, it means travelling a bit further but if it guarantees you will get it in time well worth the journey, you can find other offices here: www.passports-office.co.uk/nearest_passport_office.asp

I kept refreshing and suddenly got in the queue. Am picking up in Newport on the 30th. Expensive and inconvenient but done! Have a digital passport photo ready and keep trying, and be prepared to travel to pick it up.

I need to do this for my son so can’t use the premium service Only the fast track service. Any idea if appointments are also coming up for the fast track service?

Just a warning that fast track passports are not always coming through within the 7 days….We’re on day 11 and no passport and no response from HMPO

Yep they do but same process - possibly days of refreshing constantly and be prepared to travel for the appointment!

Just a quick question - for those using the online premium system where you apply online then get the passport at the appointment, has the online tracking updated? I have an appointment (c.3 hours away) to pick up a passport tomorrow and the online tracking still just says 'application being checked' - and can't get hold of anyone on the phone obviously!

Found this thread yesterday - thank you for giving me hope! Just to update, I went on the premium online page at 7.57am, then at 8am I moved into the queue, and got an appointment about 20 mins later. It is in Newport, Wales in three weeks time, and will cost me around £300 total with the train ticket, but better than nothing. Don't know how a family would manage...