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Original poster

Passport Processing Time

999 replies

bex12345 · 02/04/2014 13:04

Anyone have any idea on processing time of First Passports at the moment? We sent our daughters application via check and send almost 2 weeks ago and no idea on when to expect it back. Hopefully someone can shed some light?!

OP posts:
Becks6765 · 05/06/2014 15:53

Update...well after a week of no call backs from Durham after being repeatadly promised from the 0300 service (waste of time!) i finally received a call this morning. They lady asked if i wanted an upgrade and i said yes but that i did not want to pay as they had had them so long already. I told her we could not book anything until the passports arrived (as advised by them). I said i hoped that our passports werent being put to the back of the queue because we were not paying for an upgrade and i also hoped that people were not getting through before us just because they had already booked a holiday. She agreed with me and said she'd pull both the applications and forward them to the team to look at straight away. She gave me the direct dial Durham number (which i already had from you lovely people on here!) and said to call on Monday to check they had been progressed. I will do but i am reluctant due to the amount it costs and how long you have to be on hold. Hoping there is some light at the end of the tunnel soon although still dont hold out much hope for booking a holiday in June like we had hoped!

Sonya8007 · 05/06/2014 16:40

I have been reading your post for the last couple of days and I am in a similar situation. I applied for my son's first UK passport on 14th of March and still nothing! I started calling the 0300 number 4 weeks I was told I will recieve a call back after 48 hours! Finally I spoke to someone at the Durham office yesterday and the lady on the phone wasn't very helpful at all. She told me someone will call in the next 24 hours but I am still waiting! I've been sending letters to Durham to request his Bulgarian passport and again I hit a brick wall! I will be calling again and hoping this time to get someone to help me! We are travelling on the 21st of June I gave them plenty of time to issue the passport and I am getting stressed now that I won't get it on time.

Sonya8007 · 05/06/2014 19:42

Just emailed my local MP and the Home Secretary! I also sent a letter to the Newport office to complain about their services and phoned to make a formal complain too. I don't know if that will get me anywhere! Fingers cross I will get my son's supporting documents back or his UK passport on time

yummmymummy1 · 05/06/2014 20:08

well my local mp has emailed me back today saying he will do what he can and has said that he has been inundated with the same kind of requests over the last couple of months...... something has to be done at the passport offices whatever system they have is obviously not working i dont think we are going to make our much waited for holiday to spain i cant even get a ring back to upgrade to the fastrack service :(

Hairbrush123 · 05/06/2014 21:13

Bettyelizabeth14, what's the number for the Belfast passport office please? I'm going to phone them tomorrow at 8AM sharp to get exactly what's going on...

Sent mine off on the 17th of May (just a renewal) and I phoned the passport office and they said it's processing and still going under examination and they said I might get it in 1-2 weeks time. I've emailed my MP and she's asked me for my personal details and application queries but hasn't got back in touch... I'm going away on the 21st! Panicking!

Hairbrush123 · 05/06/2014 21:19

Sonya8007, I too am flying on the 21st of June and I need the passports before next Monday! I need to book the flights as they are slowly going up! I am urging them to complete it before the 20th of June (have a very early flight on the 21st and the airport is 150 miles away from me!) I am waiting for my PM to help me, all she's done is ask for my details but I am sure she is trying to help! I need to know exactly what is going on and when I will receive my passport! Ugh!

Irishtown · 05/06/2014 23:33

Does anyone have a direct number for belfast office?

CheeryName · 05/06/2014 23:37

I sent my renewal off to Peterborough today, I will post again when I get new passport so we can see current times.

Good luck travellers!

Hairbrush123 · 06/06/2014 07:36

Irishtown, 0843 479 1814

Firewood · 06/06/2014 07:45

Hi, I've been following this since I posted off a child's renewal & a child's first passport application on 14th May. Just wanted to let you know that the renewal came back yesterday, so less than 3 weeks since they sent me a text to say they had them. Still waiting for the first passport to come back, I'll update when it appears.

Sonya8007 · 06/06/2014 08:36

Hi Hairbrush123
I am calling the Durham office this morning AGAIN in the hope to speak to someone nice who can help me. What I am trying to do is to get them send my son's Bulgarian passport back I am not even rushing them to issue the UK one ! I have tried everything sent letters , emailed many times and called them at least 20 times for the last 4 weeks! I don't know what else could be done to get Durham start doing their jobs. I am very frustrated now! If anyone have suggestions please help me

Chloeboe1 · 06/06/2014 09:39

That's good to hear Firewood, sent my daughters first passports off via check & send on the 14th May. Got my MPs office to e mail too, so everything crossed for everyone waiting.

yummmymummy1 · 06/06/2014 09:43

firewood out of interest where in the country are you?

Sonya8007 · 06/06/2014 09:52

A little update ladies! I was just on the phone with Durham office after 40 min on loudspeaker! I spoke to a really nice gentleman who was very helpful. He told me that my son's Bulgarian passport and Birth Certificate we're send on Wednesday so they should be with me today or tomorrow! He left a message to the person who looks into my son's application form to call me back and to give me some more information. I will keep you posted

yummmymummy1 · 06/06/2014 09:54

www.facebook.com/pages/UK-passport-problems/305360079629070?fref=ts

i wondered if any of you would like to add to this page to help others

kylecarey · 06/06/2014 09:54

Sent my application on 29th April, they received it 1st May ... Still haven't got it. 3 week check and send has now turned into over 5 weeks. Rung numerous of times and told it should be here in the next couple of days, they have been saying that for 2 weeks now.

I have called the direct number for Durham and they have advised it is still in examination. I also email my MP and asked him to contact them .. this is the message I got back;

Dear Kyle

Just to let you know that I have contacted MP Enquiries at the Passport Office to speed things up for you. Durham have had an enormous backlog for the last couple of weeks which is now clearing. Those that had imminent travel dates were prioritised to ensure nobody missed out on their half term travel plans – we even had constituents driving to Durham last week to collect passports. I know things are nearly back to normal and I will let you know as soon as I have an update from them.

Regards

Nicky Guy
PA to Robert Syms MP
01202 718078

I shall update when I receive my passport!

CheeryName · 06/06/2014 09:57

Sonya that's great news. You must be so relieved!

yummmymummy1 · 06/06/2014 10:09

brilliant sonia :)

Becks6765 · 06/06/2014 11:01

Further update.....

After the phone call from the lovely lady at the Durham office yesterday i received a text this morning saying that both passports were being printed and should be on their way in a few days. Then i had a phone call direct from Durham just now confirming that both were printed last night and should be with us tomorrow or Monday.

So so so happy right now as we may get to go away in June after all. I will update when i have them in my hands. Keep at it ladies, just keep pestering and you should get somewhere. Smile

pickletray · 06/06/2014 11:04

Just found this thread. Glad to here some people are getting sorted.

Sent my passport on 11th May. But found out yesterday the passport office claim to have only received it on 27th May Hmm.

We travel on 6th July so we have four weeks but if it's taking as long as people say I'm quite worried. Range to enquire about upgrading to fast track and they said they'd get back to me on Tuesday.

What happens when the upgrades people ring you? (sorry I haven't read whole thread)?

Sonya8007 · 06/06/2014 11:13

Thank you ladies
I will let you know when I get my son's Bulgarian passport in my hands.

Becks6765 · 06/06/2014 11:13

Hi pickletray,

Think regarding the upgrades they wont do it until a week before you are meant to be travelling or something. They are going by date of travel. However we have not booked anything so far as waiting on our passports and i told the lady i didnt want to pay for an upgrade. She pulled both applications straight away but only because they had had them for nearly 5 weeks. Both people i have spoken to at the Durham office were lovely.

pickletray · 06/06/2014 11:19

Holy shit! Not till a week before I travel? They could process it the normal time before then if it took the three weeks its supposed to take. Do I have to go to an office?

To make matters worse I have an exam and an academic presentation the week before I go.

Fuck. We can't really afford this holiday anyway, and we're not going now are we?

Becks6765 · 06/06/2014 11:30

Not too sure how it works, but maybe someone on here can give you an idea if they have had to pay for an upgrade. Think if it is just a renewal they will send it to you. Keep contacting Durham (if that is where your passport is) and pester them. Although they wont do anything until they have had the passport for 3 weeks apparently.

kylecarey · 06/06/2014 11:40

If it has been 4 - 5 weeks for a renewal, bluff them and say your friend or family member sent theirs off at the same time and they got a free upgrade and you want one. They will pull your passport and upgrade it so it will get printed that day or the next. Don't be pressured into paying extra!