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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:
jamtoast12 · 07/06/2014 20:59

I really don't understand your situation yummy mummy...if they are doing them in order of receipt then none of it makes sense and is worrying. I live very local to the office and I know four people now who have had renewals back in the last month in less than 3 weeks including check and send and delivery times. I myself booked a one week fast track last month and they actually offered me a premium on the day (as if they weren't busy?). In fact I picked it up 2 hours later so they can't have been that busy. That was Easter holidays too. I honestly wander if they are randomly choosing certain passports to go through security as my sil was sent off after yours and it was delivered over a week ago. Did they mention how they sort through the applications in terms of priority etc? That's what's making me think it's your first passports holding it up, not the renewal as such.

I'd be arguing over lack of consistency tbh...different if they are all delayed but it obviously isn't the case?

jamtoast12 · 07/06/2014 21:01

Sorry what I mean is I'd be demanding to know why you are being obviously so fobbed off compared to others who seem to be getting them much more easily.

yummmymummy1 · 07/06/2014 21:13

its 1 childs renewal and 2 childs first

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jun/06/uk-passport-office-fraud-staff-diverted-applications-backlog

this might help theres hundreds of people in the same boat as me

BeyondBurma · 07/06/2014 21:29

omg I can't bear it - so worried for me and everyone else. Just read that link....

yummmymummy1 · 07/06/2014 21:56

me too beyondburma i really hope everyone get their much earned holidays and the government sort this mess out and stop giving the wrong information to people to try and cover up the fact their are major issues with the system when do you go??

jamtoast12 · 07/06/2014 21:59

I do understand that there are loads generally but the case is there's no consistency. It would seem there is a general delay with all those at Durham but with other offices inc Peterborough (some on here have said they've had them back in 3 weeks), some are getting them quickly and others are awaiting ages. Mine was a one day damaged application with a name change and could still be done in 2 hours suggesting they are choosing who they prioritise and who they do extra check on which is unfair. If there is a reason for it, they should make it more clear on their web sites that certain applications attract more checks. Online it says it may take longer if the forms is not filed in correctly or if they don't have the necessary supporting documentation. No mention that it may take longer if you're randomly chosen for "extra checks".

yummmymummy1 · 07/06/2014 22:22

who knows the reasons behind it all i get from the passport office is that i shouldn't have booked travel before i got the passports and that they do advise that it can take longer than the specified time i mean come on my 3 year olds aren't plotting to take over the uk and the counter signatory has done lots of applications for the kids at school so they have her on file my and dad are married i really don't see what extra security checks they have been making i think in my opinion they have cut jobs and now don't have enough staff to cover the high peak season demand they are dealing with the ones that are departing impendingly and then queuing the others behind it seems to just be childrens passports that are affected mostly i have definitely emphasized the lack of consistency from them but they just gove me the answer that thats just the way it goes some are checked some are not.....

pickletray · 07/06/2014 22:26

It's so stressful isn't it. It's the feeling of not ahving any control over what happens that is stressing me out.

yummmymummy1 · 07/06/2014 22:29

yes it is pickletray i mean do i try and salvage the holiday see if we can sell it or move it or do i keep everything crossed that we are lucky and get them on time im at my wits end !!

BeyondBurma · 07/06/2014 22:39

We're not going until July but it's a really big (expensive) holiday.

It's my fault though, I should have sent them off earlier. Too complacent. I couldn't bear the thought of cancelling or not being able to go. Big family reunion with people coming from other countries too.

I would go and sleep on the pavement for a week if it meant getting them back in time.

BeyondBurma · 07/06/2014 22:40

yummy next Friday? oh hell. Absolutely everything crossed for you.

I've no right to be worried when other people's requirement so much more urgent.

Fingers crossed for everyone.

Sonya8007 · 07/06/2014 22:56

We fly on 21st of June! They told me they are running the checks on the application no idea what that stage is! I was told that his Bulgarian passport it's been send on Wednesday still haven't got it I am really really worried now
I have to speak to someone at Durham office on Monday and check what their story will be

Irishtown · 07/06/2014 22:58

Yummymummy1 get on the phone 1st thing monday and sob your heart out. Ring your MP and demand they get onto them there and then everything crossed for you xxxxxx

Sonya8007 · 08/06/2014 10:37

Thank you yummymummy Fingers cross all of us get their passports on time I will keep you posted

blah1100 · 08/06/2014 11:51

We travel on June 22nd but will need passports on 20th because we arent flying from a local airport. Its for a big expensive holiday for a wedding to make matters worse.
Send 2 first childrens away on May 16th received at Durham on 20th. Ive phoned the 0300 line a couple of times. Got a really helpful guy first time and a rude cow the next. I rang Durham on Friday and was advised they're still working on applications received late April and she suggested I get referred for a call back from upgrade team. Told me to wait until Tuesday and if no call back then ring them again. She also told me the upgrade team are literally working on passports with only days left before travel so they're really cutting it fine!

Irishtown · 08/06/2014 18:41

How many days does it take to go from awaiting information from the applicant? I know they have my 3 renewals because I tracked it from Ireland

Chloeboe1 · 08/06/2014 19:25

yummy We travel on Fri too :(

yummmymummy1 · 08/06/2014 19:51

im not sure what you mean irish town? and oh god chloeboe when did they recive your application i havnt slept this weekend at all :(

Irishtown · 08/06/2014 19:52

How many days does it take to go from awaiting information from the applicant? I know they have my 3 renewals because I tracked it from Ireland

Chloeboe1 · 08/06/2014 19:56

yummy I did check & send on the 15th May & they received it on the 19th. My husband & I will both be ringing Durham tomorrow first thing so hopefully one of us will get through ASAP. I feel so sick about it all :(

Irishtown · 08/06/2014 19:57

Yummy I meant I did my application online and so you can track it from beginning to end my status hasn't changed and I wondered if anyone else has done the same

Irishtown · 08/06/2014 19:58

Yummy I meant I did my application online and so you can track it from beginning to end my status hasn't changed and I wondered if anyone else has done the same

indie123 · 08/06/2014 19:59

Fingers crossed for everyone travelling this week. I had 4 travel dates in mind and 3 of them have sold out in the past few days:(. If i don't book the remaining date it will probably sell out any day now. If it does the only dates left this month are all within the next 2 weeks and I need to be there by the end of the month! .I'm so nervous right now!! I need to know what's going on by thursday the latest because I need to make preparations and my aunt needs to know what date we've booked as she's travelling back with us. I need to have this passport by friday or at least know that its been approved by examiner so i know whether or not to book..due to personal reasons its a very important holiday for me and I'm desperate to go. Calling Durham at 8am and asking for an upgrade. Tomorrow will be 5 weeks since they received it...Thursday will be 6 weeks since it was sent!!

yummmymummy1 · 08/06/2014 20:08

Irish I did see somewhere that someone tracked there's online and it said it had been revived only then it turned up the next day have you rang te 0845 direct number for Dublin?

yummmymummy1 · 08/06/2014 20:11

Oh god they have had mine at Liverpool since 28th April :( I'm going to pull all the stops out tomorrow and find out exactly where in the process mine are now I've had enough I've gone past the upset and worried stage and I'm not just bloody angry!!!! Part of me thinks I should just make an appointment At Liverpool and refuse to leave until I have them in my hand