Help - Does anyone work at the Passport Office at Durham

[janeb204]

Im at my wits end...I need to speak to Durham Passport office, I am going on holiday Saturday and my daughters passport renewal is stuck in a backlog at Durham. I will pay for accelerated service but can't get through to ask for it. The general phone number takes hours to be answered, the call back service doesn't work, the 48hr email reply service doesn't reply. Can I drive to Durham and sit and wait. I'm frantic to resolve this...but what can I do? Has anyone got any suggestions of what I can do....apart from cry? Does anyone work there and can tell me something I can DO

To everyone having issues getting through to liverpool for two weeks I have been at my wits end. I sent my babies passport off over 7 weeks ago and am due to fly out next Friday. I have tried for over two weeks to contact the passport office to figure out why it isn't here yet and been promised call backs everyday within 48 hours, I've not had one as of yet. I received a letter yesterday saying there was a issue with card details I gave for payment, (printed off form to pay debit card) I called straight away to resolve this and was also told they originally sent me a first letter on the 8th of may, I have not received this otherwise I would have sorted this straight away. The lady was lovely and gave me dorect liverpool number to see what I can do about gettin back before holiday. The passport advice line is ridiculous I keep gettin fobbed off. I have now recieved the direct number for liverpool passport office and was waiting for somebody to answer for over 4 hours yesterday at a 0845 number cost to no avail, I was hoping they could fast track my application or pay extra to do something as I fly in 10 days to canada. Our entire family is going for my husband sisters wedding. Without my babies passport him and myself would he stopping at home. I was so stressed and made my self Ill, I didn't know what to do. So I emailed my local mp and they responded withing an hour to say they will look in to it but I was still so anxious so later today I jumped in my car and went to liverpool for around 12.30pm said I has an enquiry and was given a ticket. I literally had to wait only 15min to he seen. The man I spoke to was amazing and said my passport had literally been passed at 12.34pm probably due to mp! There's no point paying extra now as will be printed in the next 24hours as he seen them working up till 12am with the backlog. He said so many people have complained about the same issues with the phone lines! I even asked to look at his screen for my own peace of mind! He gave me the the couriers number to track it and everything. I still won't be 100% till the passport is on my hands! Bit trust me do not wait for phone calls or to answer your calls. Get to liverpool, I was so angry with them before bit I saw today literally every desk is manned and they r workin so hard to get peoples problems sorted!

NickyKaur where did you travel from to get to Liverpool?

mikeysmum1 how did you manage to get details if your application without a barcode?

Durham direct number is 0845 6015175 make sure you ring at 8am sharp - never waited longer than 20 minutes to get through and ignore message about needing barcode number or having a letter. Good luck

We just found out today that our 'witness' for our babies first passport had been contacted a few data ago to check us out. A random check apparently but that may explain why we have been waiting at least 5 weeks. Might be worth others checking that if not already done.

Preston, so just an hour away, bt I was sat at home twiddling my thumbs so thought let's just go and see and literally was 15minute wait to speak to someone and they have had soo many complaints about not receiving call backs! Even though I seen with my own eyes sent for printing still not convinced till it's here haha

NickyKaur I am considering my 4 hour drive to Liverpool but everyone has told me I will just get turned away without an appointment and they won't do anything as it's still awaiting to be examined :/

When I was in Durham collecting they were trying to help people that had just turned up on the front desk, the staff were not being rude and sending people away.

They were checking the system and explaining what was going on but unfortunately they left emptied handed though as they wouldn't call people down from the offices just kept reassuring that upgrades will call them back.

If I was desperate and close by an office I'd rock up and see if they can help.

they have come !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lottie that's great !!!!????I've just got off the phone to Durham, they answered within 5 mins. We fly on the 16th but still waiting for my daughters passport. It's been in the upgrade queue for over a week now and the lady told someone should call today or tomorrow. The waiting is killing me !!!

I was told I would not get a call until Thursday the 12th I rang yesterday then got a call back within a hour to say they were printed good luck hope you get your happy ending :)

I've just missed a call from a unknown number. Would they have left a message. Could kick myself.

Brill news Lottie.

Keep your phone close kezza. Someone in durham yesterday had missed a call from upgrades and she was travelling on 15th so you surely must be getting up to the top of the pile!

Good luck

Arrrrgh, don't worry they'll call back (if it was them).

they left me a message and called back 20mins later and then rang back again as I didn't have a pen to get the tracking number :)

Seems your grammar isnt much cop either huh stupidly??.... Or was it meant to read stupidity I really cant be bothered to sit arguing with you straight, but for someone who seems to have all the answers and is employed by HMPO you really are not a very helpful person are you.

Just got a text saying that my passport saying my passport is being printed and should be on the way within the next few working days! Yay! So happy!

Crochetcircle - they just take name DOB postcode etc

www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.html

I wondered what these'boxes' they spoke of looked like!

I just realized how poorly written my comment was! I meant my passport is finally being printed and should be here in a few working days!

When do you fly?

Kazzab77 - next Saturday

Hi, does anyone have the 0845 number for Durham please? Only sent my applications off on Monday from PO check and send. Flying on 20th July. Both child renewal with name change. Would rather have number handy to ring in case of problems (hopefully none)! Thanks in advance x

whisper2432, 0845 129 0044. Not sure if it works but give it a try. Be prepared to wait up to an hour for an answer.

whipsher2432, if that doesn't work then try 0845 6015175

Well, after six weeks of waiting and no change to the online status of our application, I have emailed my UK MP and he is going to try and contact the passport office on our behalf. Until we get my son's US passport back we are stranded here - and goodness knows when the British one will be issued.

I haven't had a reply to the email queries I have sent and can't get through via phone. And to be honest, I don't really want to be on hold for an hour to Durham from the East Coast of the US...

I know so many other expats in this position. Interesting that our online payment was made two months ago now, docs Fedexed inc counter signature shortly afterwards, and nothing has changed at all since receipt seemingly.

It's a shambles and Theresa May is a liar.