If you need an urgent passport application to be processed...

[HomeEcoGnomist]

I had an emergency situation last week - realised DS's passport was going to expire whilst out of the UK. Dire warnings all over passport application site that applications are taking longer during peak periods, no one day premium slots for another 2 weeks...

Well, there is an agent in London who has slots on hold each day - if you can get the paperwork to them you can get the passport in a day or two

NB: i don't work for them or earn commission!
But if you are stuck and can pay the fee, it might be worth getting in touch with Benmar. Cheaper than a holiday cancellation!

Good luck all

I am really stuck. We are going away on the 14th August and sent our application for my 12 year old's renewed passport off on 13th July. We have phoned several times (the 0300 number) over last 3 days and have been promised a call back from the Peterborough office within 48 hours but as yet nothing. I spoke to a really unhelpful person this afternoon who couldn't put me through to Peterborough and said it looked unlikely that we would now get the passport in time as it was taking 5 weeks for processing. I can't get a direct number for Peterborough and I'm at my wits end. We only sent the application by post (stupid in retrospect but we understood we would be in good time).

All direct numbers here (Polish website):
www.anglia4u.pl/informacje/porady-uk/porady-uk/18-oszczednosci/73-alternatywne-numery-telefonow

Don't get your GP to sign the photo though - I've heard of cases where applications have been turned down. And if you check the list of valid people, GPs are no longer showing (I gather its because of the exhorbitent fees some charge)

Yes MaryBS. I have heard that a few times too.

"And if you check the list of valid people, GPs are no longer showing (I gather its because of the exhorbitent fees some charge)"

No, it's not because of that. It's because people were wasting NHS time and therefore money by making GP appointments to get their passport signed. GPs are still allowed to do them, as are hospital doctors, because they are "a person of good standing in your local community.

HomeEcoGnomist- Hi can you pm me who the agent is.
Thank u

I've pm'ed you too OP. If you have these details it would save my life!