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Help - Does anyone work at the Passport Office at Durham

896 replies

janeb204 · 23/07/2012 22:30

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

OP posts:
needu · 04/08/2012 18:54

All these useful hints of how to get a passport quicker are amazing, thanks.
I've got a holiday booked Thurs 9th Aug and Durham told me today they would "pull my passport today" and i can expect a callback either next Tues or Weds to organise a courier service. Can anyone tell me what I can do to improve my chances of getting my passport before next Thursday and/or what does "pull my passport" mean. I asked Durham this but lady said she'll do her best.....no passport means no holiday. Mega stressed, can anyone suggest anything as I'm close to tears???

oldwomanwholivedinashoe · 04/08/2012 20:46

Thanks beck. I'll try it first thing Monday. This is a total nightmare. So upset. My luck is so bad at the moment; passport drama and cat of 16 yrs run over today. I've cried buckets:(

Shona831 · 05/08/2012 12:10

I am at my wits end too waiting for daughters renewel. Spoke to passport office several times, just the general one and on Thursday was informed it has been approved after 3 weeks with the post offie check and send but still needs to be processed....!

Also emailed general office and from there know it is in Durham....! Reading all your comments am still panicking....! as travelling on the 9 August. Does anyone have the direct number to call Durham and is there any way i could drive the long journey up there and collect or pay extra for faster courier service?

oldwomanwholivedinashoe · 05/08/2012 15:14

Just got a call back from Liverpool. I can get upgrade and it should be in my hands by Saturday at latest. I will be able to fly Monday 13th. Will miss a week of holiday but so glad I'll get there eventually.

needu · 05/08/2012 15:41

I've been following this thread a few days and found this number for Durham here 0845 129 0044. I fly for first holiday in years on Thursday 9th eek and it'll break my heart to let my daughter down, not to mention the total waste of money. I believe you can pay approx £65 for fast courier service or collect passport from Durham. I'll be phoning Durham on Monday to try to do that aswell. Good luck all !!! This thread is a huge help, thanks everyone.

Shona831 · 05/08/2012 20:23

Thanks Needu for advice and number, fly Thursday too. Will be phoning Monday morning. Please let me know how you get on and vice versa. This thread has been such a help. Thanks all

Shona831 · 06/08/2012 15:09

Passport has now arrived Needu. Many thanks for the Durham number, got a fantastic guy called steve who said it went to the courier on Friday and phoned me back with the tracking number 10 mins later and even phoned back to see if i had managed to contact them. So Friday sent for printing and passport in my hand on Monday.

Shona831 · 06/08/2012 15:10

Hadn't finished and posted...! Turnaround once printed seems to be very quick. Hope you get your passport today and fly Thursday too.

needu · 06/08/2012 18:20

hi Shona831
So pleased you got your passport :)
Mine was printed yesterday but is not with the courier yet......fingers crossed it arrives in time for hoiday on Thursday 9th.
Enjoy your holiday.
Good Luck to everyone who is ..........still.........waiting for passports !!!

Shona831 · 06/08/2012 18:43

Needu, I do honestly think you will get your passport. The turn around after printing is quick. Think it will be with you tomorrow but you can get tracking number from Durham. The phone number of the courier if you don't havi it is 0844 277 3333.

LYSAIDANI · 06/08/2012 20:03

Hi does anyone have the number for the DURHAM office? i am desperate i fly a week on sunday and still dont have my passport!! i need to apply for a waiver 72 hours before i fly!!

please please please help!! i am so stressed about it

thanks

needu · 06/08/2012 20:08

Shona831 Thanks i hope your right.
Durham and DX Courier service do not have tracking number yet...., as passport has not been "scanned" but passport has definately left Durham....they both say its in "limbo till DX scan it in". Did you pay for a quicker delivery Shona831 ???
Does anyone know the quickest way to get your passport once you do have a tracking number.....please ???

Shona831 · 06/08/2012 20:59

Needu, after phoning Durham and getting tracking number was going to phone and pay for next day delivery which you can do but when I put the number in DX on line it said delivery today. Once you have the number it is very quick. Eveything crossed for you.

needu · 06/08/2012 22:13

ok thanks Shona831.

emz22 · 07/08/2012 11:41

HI

RE: DURHAM PASSPORT OFFICE.

I AM NOT A "MUM" BUT I READ THIS AND THOUGHT I WOULD POST ON HERE.

MY BOYFRIEND DID "CHECK AND SEND" AT THE POST OFFICE ON THE 09TH JULY AND THEY SAID GUARENTEED 3 WEEKS PASSPORT

HE STILL HAS NOT RECIEVED IT - AFTER ABOUT A MILLION PHONE CALLS HE DIDNT GET ANYWHERE, THEY PROMISED CALL BACKS FROM THE DURHAM OFFICE AND NEVER RECIEVED ANYTHING. THE MAIN PASSPORT ADVICE LINE SAID IT WAS READY TO PRINT AND THEY DIDNT KNOW WHY THERE WAS A HOLD UP.

AFTER SO MUCH PANIC HE HAS DROVE DOWN TO THE OFFICE THIS MORNING AND SPOKE TO SOMEONE THERE, HE HAS PAID AN EXTRA £61 & £5 POSTAGE FOR A FASTER SERVICES AND THEY SAID THE EXAMINER WOULD RING HIM AT SOME POINT, HE LEFT THE OFFICE THE EXAMINER HAS RANG HIM ALMOST STRIAGHT AWAY, AND THEY HAVE SAID THEY WILL PROCESS IT NOW AND PRINT IT AND IT WILL BE DELIVERED BEFORE THURSDAY 1PM (THANK GOD!!!!)

I'D ADVISE ANYONE TO GO TO THE OFFICE AND PAY THE EXTRA.

Schenker · 09/08/2012 08:56

Hi Everyone

I discovered this board yesterday and have been reading all the posts into the early hours! So stressed, can't sleep, non stop crying, I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

I sent my passport via check and send on 13th July, the IPS advice line advised it was received on 17th July (already 4 days later). We fly during the early hours of Wednesday morning. I was advised returns at 3 - 4 weeks and I should get it back by 14th August. I didn't want to chance it that long so called back yesterday, and was told my passport hadn't even gone to print which takes 5 - 7 days, I told him this was too long and was there anything I could do, He tried to put me through to the progress team, told me they were busy and would callback in 48 hours! I asked if there was anything I could do, and he advised an upgrade which I didn't know was possible!

I was advised that they would try and upgrade but it would be at the examiners discretion because my application wasn't a renewal, it was lost! Still crying!

I called Durham direct this morning to be told I had to leave it 2 - 3 days before they called me back, and couldn't guarantee that the passport would arrive in time.

Is there anything else I could possibly do? we have been saving up for our holiday for 2 years, my daughter is in tears, I'm in tears my husband is so annoyed! I cannot even get a refund as you have to cancel 11 days before flying.

Sorry for the long post. Can anyone offer any advice on anything else I could do?

Many thanks

Schenker · 09/08/2012 09:10

Hi EM22, I have been told that I cannot go to the office, as I need an appointment!

OMG! I just had a call from them whilst writing! To let you all know, my first call to Durham this morning resulted in them telling me they would call me back in 2 - 3 days! However last night I was up till all hours, I emailed my local MP and emailed the Home Office, now I don't know if that had any sway, but within 10 mins of my initial call this morning, Emma from the passport office called to advise that my upgrade had been approved and my passport would be here on Monday at the latest! Relief!

I am still shaking! Email or call your MP

kirstyboo · 10/08/2012 21:55

hi i sent my passport off for renewal on 18th july? for name change! sent my hubbys off too cos his ad gone in the washer! rang the IPS number bout 8 times and everyone tells you different, is there another number i can call to help me???

kirstyboo · 10/08/2012 21:56

oh forgot to mention it went to durham office, i live 3 miles away from there

gemmay1 · 21/08/2012 05:41

OMG i am sooo stressed
I sent my daughters passport away via check and send on the 27th july as id been poorly and in hospital so unable to sort it before hand!
I kept ringing as i had not heard anything!
Told to ring today 20th as thats when they can put me through to processing to see whats happening.They have told me that a letter had been sent to the person who has signed the passport on the 15th (to weeks from the date they got it) and id explained that the person wen on holiday on the 17th so told me to get a new form filled in with a cover letter explaining what has happend.Went to hand it in at the durham office where the guy on the front desk found who was dealing with my original form and advised me to go to the phone's in the office and contact him- He refused to talk to me and via a very rude lady told me to put the form in and would not give me an idea how long it will take.
We fly out on our family holiday 31st aug and have had to sit down with my 6yr old and tell her that me and her might not be going on holiday it broke my heart and hubbys seeing her break her heart as she had been counting down the days!! i ve contacted my MP tonight and had an email back to say they will get onto it in the morning but im not holding my breath.
It annoys me as i work in the airport and see how many people get passports at the drop of a hat yet a child born in the uk who has already had a passport has to go through strict checks!!!
(sorry rant over)

Joanne03 · 26/08/2013 21:04

Hi I'm having same problem as some people on here put my 3 children's 1st passportapplications in on the 13th August was told i wouldnt have to use the fast track service as they would arrive on time we travel 3rd of September and I still don't have passports now they are querying wether or not I am a British citizen even though i put my passport number on the applications they want my birth certificate!! Thinking I should just drive to Durham from glasgow tomorrow and hand all the information in to them & it may hurry the passports up does anyone think that is my best bet? It's my kids 1st time abroad & they are so excited and the holiday wasn't cheap iv saved all year for it and would be so upset to lose all that money 😢 also to take away something my kids have been so excited about! Any ideas would be helpful thank you

Stirling1977 · 26/02/2014 01:05

Can someone please send me Durham passport office direct number I'm at my wits end and should be travelling next Tuesday, thanks in advance

atlantic04 · 22/04/2014 03:26

have anyone got the Liverpool passport office direct number

ilovepowerhoop · 22/04/2014 12:09

a previous thread gives this:

Home Office Identity & Passport Service 0870 521 0410 0151 471 6387 Liverpool Office; AdviceLine

Home Office Identity & Passport Service 0845 128 9988 0151 471 6176 Liverpool Passport Office

ilovepowerhoop · 22/04/2014 12:10

Home Office Identity & Passport Service 0870 521 0410 or 0151 471 6387 Liverpool Office; AdviceLine

Home Office Identity & Passport Service 0845 128 9988 or 0151 471 6176 Liverpool Passport Office

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