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

Hi everyone! I am in the same position, desperately trying to get through to someone to help me! I have been waiting on the liverpool office for nearly an hour, do they ever answer? I am calling them on 0845 601 5107. Have others spent this long waiting?

Just quick update, had a call from the friendliest person ever at Durham who has taken payment and my passport will be here by 1pm on Saturday :) perseverance and a combination of me, my mp and the Durham switchboard have finally won through :) so stick in there

Hi what number did you call on? I'm sooo jealous.

Hi I called the 08456015175 number but i know my mp also went to the home office minister to push the case so not sure which pushed them more the call to Durham or my mp :)

Oh good for you @JamieG just had feedback from my MP's office and apparently the 2 urgent requests for my passport are lacking information. I travel on Saturday and I'm a nervous wreck atm. Waiting on more feedback.

Everything crossed for you @cbrunton hope they sort out the missing info, can't believe it gets to the point where we have to get mps involved

cbrunton I really hope you get sorted.

I feel a bit nervous to say it out loud but I think we are getting ds's passport!

Got told no again this morning - after 52 mins waiting to get through - but an hour later someone else rang back (I know, someone actually rang back, can you believe it!?) and took payment, they arranged for special delivery by 9am tomorrow morning, just in time for our 6am Saturday flight. Phew.

She then rang back 2 hours later and said the payment hadn't gone through for some reason so I had to give her the card details again, but then she said she might have missed the special delivery time. So I know there is a passport somewhere for ds but I don't know if it made the post or not. I have visions of it going to the royal mail but it being too late for tomorrow's delivery so me having to drive around the country trailing a mail van...

I still haven't heard from the upgrade team, it seems they're working on applications of people flying on Sunday today, so does that mean I shouldn't expect a call until Sunday about mine (we travel Wednesday) I know they're open weekends and bank holidays, but surely not fully staffed? #panic

We only heard today and we fly Saturday so perhaps you might not hear until Monday?

Sending positive vibes your way x

The woman I spoke to today said to not expect a call until at least next tuesday (we fly saturday but need passports friday)- she did say that this weekend is very busy for upgrades as its beginning of half term but middle of next week will filter out a bit.

Oh gosh so worried after reading some of these messages. I applied for my sons first passport late april and received the text saying they had got it 4 days later. Still no sign of the passport after being reassured by the post office it would deffo be here after 3 weeks. Called the 0300 number to ask for an upgrade, they said i need to wait 48 hours to see if im allowed one. Do they accept all upgrade requests ? Also does anyone no if i can go pick it up without an appointment seen as they already have all our info? so stressed :'( xx

Good news, phoned the 0845 number frantically this morning asking for more information. Got told someone would be in contact in due course. Came off the phone and wanted more information - after waiting for 15minutes I had an unknown number call me and much to my shock and surprise it was the Passport Office to take payment.

Waiting on a call back now to get the tracking number but all looking good. Just need to worry about the curfew in Thailand now.

My advice is call your MP first and foremost and they will help you as much as they can :-)

great news cbrunton. when do you travel?

Travel tomorrow at 3. Cutting it fine.

God I dont think I can cope with another week of this.

hmmm, sent mine off 3 weeks ago and havent had the text to say it arrived. Fortunately I'm not in a rush, but where's my text?

I'd give them a call to see if they have recieved it ? I can't stand another day either I want to just keep calling but don't think il get anywhere. Going to give them a try tomorrow if I don't hear anything. X

livi when do you travel?

I did it by special delivery so I can see if it got there I think.

Yeah, mine got there. That's something.

In 2 weeks we travel. I'm on a training course the week before we fly for a new job so I'm even more worried I can't go down to Durham then if needs be :/ x

Just a heads up the 0845 number says it opens at 9am.. however I got through at 8am this morning and was speaking to someone within 5minutes.

Thanks cbrunton is that the direct number to Durham ?

Im not hopeful at all. When I spoke to the person at Durham earlier this week to request the upgrade they gave me the address of the team to send her Birth Certificate to. They said to send it normal first class post as sending it special delivery causes another 2 day delay due it needing to be processed differently internally.

I phoned yesterday and today to see if its arrived and looking at my application they cant see if its actually there or not.

Been told to call back now on tuesday.

I feel physically sick. Will be stressed all weekend

Yeah that's the direct number, just keep trying and trying. It eventually puts you through. I feel for everyone going through this - had the worst last few days ever.