Anyone work for the passport office?

[Bellakins]

My situation is that the passport application for my baby has been with them for just over 2 weeks. Our holiday is now 3 weeks on Sat. The woman told me my application has "still to be assigned" for checking so now I'm panicking as I had been expecting it back any day now.

Does anyone know how long this stage lasts? I also have my doubts the photo will be accepted and if rejected this will take even longer. Is there anyway to fast track an application already submitted?

I know the guidance is not to book a holiday until we have the passport but the holiday was booked before the baby was born!

I used the PO check & send service if that makes any difference.

You can book an in-person appointment at the passport office that's dealing with the application and have it back in a week. You do have to pay extra (to top up to the one-week fast-track service).

If you're worried about the photos then take another set and get one counter-signed now. If your baby is really diddly then the photo requirements are less strict though so this might not be the case.

To give you hope, I was in the same situation with applying for DS's first passport. I applied in May and it came back 2 weeks and 4 days later just before the Jubilee bank holidays.

DH just got his back and he only sent it in 2 weeks ago so you'll probably be ok. Just thought I'd give you hope!

I sent DD's off over two weeks ago as well. I was told it was taking around 4 weeks at that point.

If you used check and send then you shouldn't worry about it coming back to you-and if it does you could kick up a stink! But don't worry. I sent my baby's application off last June and it took about 3 weeks.

Mine went in two weeks ago and the lady who did my check & send told me its about 4 weeks.

Also first passport is supposed to be slower than renewals.

Thank you to those who have replied. I read some of the responses yesterday evening and I did feel reassured.

As an update, I called again this afternoon to see if things were any further forward. A very helpful man told me that the passport had been approved and was getting sent for printing, so it should be with me either Saturday or Monday. I am very relieved! :)

What a relief! Great news.

I have practically posted the same thing today. Expect ours has been with them for ages. We (dh) forgot the birth certif which we sent back 3 weeks ago and it's still waiting to be checked! I've rang everyday and I've lost count of the number of calls I've made today. Noone can help me. Our holiday is a week on Saturday!!! This means no time to go to an office in person.
I'm panicking. Aparently we need to speak to the Durham office but they never answer the phone and never call us back. Does anyone have a direct number for them?
Sorry to hijack your thread bellakins, glad you got sorted!

Onacollision course that's awful. Sorry I don't have a number for the Durham office but hope everything works out. I guess all you can do is keep phoning the normal helpline. What do they say when you explain you're going on holiday so soon? I cannot believe they haven'r escalated it for you!

Maybe also send a letter to the Durham office complaining and including all your contact details and the passport reference number. They have to open their post, surely?

Can I just ask what date you sent for check and send? I stupidly did it on 1st June, forgetting about bank holidays so doubt they received it until 6th earliest. We are travelling 5th July and it is my son's first passport. Starting to worry eek!!

I sent it on 25th May, they received it on the 28th. I think they were shut for two days over the Jubilee. I actually received the passport on Friday, so it took about 2.5 weeks for them to process, once you take into account the bank holidays.

Fingers crossed you get yours in time, I'm sure you will be okay. Try calling them on Monday to see how far along it is. Good luck!

That is encouraging. Decided to leave it till Thurs with 2 weeks to go until holiday. Fingers crossed. Have a good holiday xx