Help - Passports renewal application stuck at Durham Passport Office and we are traveling this Friday

[wujo]

hi all,

I am desperate!!!

Passports sent via PO Check and Send on the 2nd July.
Called the IPS 0300 number over 60 times today - got through a dozen times.
Cant escalate - can't get transferred to Durham.
Cant talk to anyone.

I am crying and feeling sick as it will ruined the holidays for my twin girls, my son, my husband and my mum.

Can someone help or know someone from the Durham office help us!? We prepare to drive up from Bristol tomorrow to pick them up if need be :(

Help!!!

I contacted durham and they said its not in there area (obv) x they just gave me the same number as i have which is the 0300 number. Can the mp help? Its kind of a last resort thing! We are due to fly in 8 days and i just really dont think its going to happen :( x

hi ring the durham number direct on 0845 277 0044 they will help you! xx

| don't want to sound smug as so many people are having a miserable time here but would like to recommend the one week fast track system for anyone reading this wondering how best to apply for their passports.

We had an appointment at the London office on Friday (you have to keep calling to book when they open phone lines to get an appointment and dont bother with call back facility it just cuts you off). I took form for 2 child first time passports was seen on time and over in 45 minutes. Passports arrived this morning (through the door didnt have to sign???) before 9 am.

I previously had a stolen passport from the same office, paid one week fast track price but was able to collect it on the same day as they weren't too busy. I had allowed time to do that on Friday in case they offered again but they are too busy atm.

Hope everyine gets their passports soon!

Lots of people on here have contacted their MPs and all have had positive outcomes with it. As Durham are no use really I would have suggested the MP route to you. Im sure you will get an answer within next 24 hrs. More nail biting tho ey!

Beyondstressed- yes its so nerve racking! I feel sick
To my stomach x

As for fast tracking or one week service i am aware you CANNOT do that for a first adult passport xxx

I know how you feel, I think all of us on here have had countless sleepless nights and being off food through worry!! but hopefully all of us waiting will have some good news soon xx

Everything else has gone wrong for us so im thinking why would this go right :(

It just doesnt seem possible it will happen in 8 days :(
My eyes are killing me from crying so much! Ha
Are you in the same sitation beyondstressed? X

yes I had sent my daughters renewal off on 30th july Peterborough had received it 2nd Aug through check and send so my 10 days is up today, she needed to have 6 months validity on hers for us to go to Turkey so thought I would have bags of time, but when I contacted 0300 they said its gonna take up to 6 weeks, so came onto this thread and was reading everyones posts and managed to get Peterboroughs phone and called them on friday she told me to ring back today which I have (0831hrs!!!!) and they are trying to get it upgraded but will ring back hopefully soon. We fly on 22nd Aug and keep saying to my daughter 'IF' we go!!! bless her she is being really good about it all. Just panicking now in case they forget to call me!! I think my next call if they were going to be stubborn would be my MP... trying to eat something now and walking round with the house phone like its an extra limb!!!

Awww! I really hope they can do it for you! Seems like you can upgrade it if its a renewal x my boyfriends is his first one so looks unlikely for me doesnt it x were due to fly to the dominican on the 23rd! :(

Does your b/f not need an interview to get his first British passport?

Yeah its been 2 weeks and not had a letter
For an interview or anything! This is what i mean what are the chances of getting an interview and having your passport in 8 days :(

When I spoke to P'bro last fri she told me they were only now clearing the July passports and hadnt started on the august batch yet! Maybe try ringing the Durham office asking if they can give you liverpools number, maybe start crying on the phone especially if its a male that answers!! and see what they say? apart from that im at a loss as to how to advise you and maybe re-send email to MP xx

I need to wait till my boyfriends home because they wont share
Information with me x i sent the mp an email at 9am
This morning so im waiting for her to email back x

well I will keep fingers crossed for when b/f gets home and makes the call. I know it seems impossible but keep positive thoughts coming and let us know how u get on xx good luck

Awww thank you! It means alot xxx

Hope you manage to get yours sorted and make your daughter happy! Xx

Thanks!! hopefully will get call back soon! yes then will be happy husband too!! think he will have a breakdown if not !!

Im on a verge of a breakdown!

My boyfriends telling me to go without him
If it doesnt work out but i just cant and dont even want to talk about it! X

I know like u would even contemplate going without him!! Can u not transfer tickets?? More expense tho?

What do you mean? X

Transfer them to a different date? Or are u stuck with holiday dates as they r ? Got phone call back getting p/p thurs or fri but until it's here will still worry invade it slips down the drivers seat!!!

I meant incase....

Yay im so happy for you! Thats great news! We rang up thomas cook
About moving the dates and they said its too late x were just having a nightmare, ive really got no hope now :(

Hi Danielle665,
I suggest you ring Thomas Cook again. I changed my booking with only 5 days to spare. The first time I rang, I was told it was too late. Then I tried the next day and paid the admin fee. So keep trying till someone has compassion. Hth.

Oh right u would also loose your money now if u cancelled wouldn't u? Maybe MP is looking at it for u at the mo? When is your b/f home?