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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:
HollyAlessandra30 · 10/06/2014 10:18

Yeah I am trying to get a fax from the hospital but it is in South America and is not a big city, I might get my passport before the fax is even sent. On hold for the 0845 number now. Thanks for the info.

tealover1985 · 10/06/2014 10:27

If I forgot to write down the application number is it worth me ringing to find out where my passport is up to? I had the text to say they received it a couple of weeks ago but heard nothing since. It's a baby first passport and we travel in 4weeks.

Do you think if the money has come out this is a good sign? This is starting to stress me out.

Bexm9 · 10/06/2014 10:51

1 child's renewal and 1 child's first passport TIMESCALES

Dropped completed applications into Liverpool passport off myself on Saturday 17th May, received one text saying application received on Tuesday 20th May.

Had a text yesterday saying passport going for printing, received the renewal this morning via DX so 3 weeks to the day that they say they received it.

Still awaiting child's first passport, does anyone know if they write to the countersignature for all first passports or is it a lottery? Countersignature has not received a letter.

meditrina · 10/06/2014 10:54

They do not write to every counter signatory (it's never happened in any of our issues or renewals), nor have I been written to when I have counter-signed.

I don't know whether they do it because there's something about the application that makes them way to verify everything, or if it's a random sample, or a combination of the two.

Bexm9 · 10/06/2014 10:57

That's very promising, thank you. My 3 eldest children haven't had a letter sent to countersignature but I was wondering if it is a new policy with all the recent changes.

LivinLaVidaLocal · 10/06/2014 11:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HollyAlessandra30 · 10/06/2014 12:09

It took me 45 mins to get through but I did get to speak to someone and they helped me with my application.
I am now waiting for them to tell me when I can pick it up from Peter'boro.

Hairbrush123 · 10/06/2014 12:26

BeyondBurma, did you get in touch with the direct number?

Chloeboe1 · 10/06/2014 12:38

Looks like my daughters is waiting for me at local Post Office! Less than 24 hrs after I last spoke to Durham! They couldn't deliver it as there was a postage charge of £17 that needed paying, didn't expect that & will try & claim it back. But just goes to show it can be done, I really think contacting my MP helped & advise others to do the same.

Bexm9 · 10/06/2014 12:56

Just received a text saying my daughters passport is being printed - it's her first passport and that's 3 weeks to the day since they text saying they'd received them. They haven't written to counter-signatory.

It seems that dropping them off myself at the passport office has been successful.

Good luck to all those still waiting x

yummmymummy1 · 10/06/2014 14:46

update just received the twins first passports via dhx 6 weeks to the day since sending them ironically still waiting for eldest daughters renewal which should have been here first in my opinion its out for delivery tomorrow tho we fly on friday im soooooo relived dont have to keep imagining the kids faces telling them we arnt going on holiday xxxxx hope everyone's comes through in time

becksmay25 · 10/06/2014 14:55

I am due to fly 28th June. Sent mine (change of name due to marriage) and my 2nd son's (1st passport - 11 months old) via check and send on 19th May. My applications were received in Liverpool (I live in Essex) on 21st May and are currently both still awaiting examination. I have rung the direct 0845 number for Liverpool on several occasions and the staff there are lovely but they have all requested an upgrade (4 times now) and I have yet to hear from the upgrade team. First I was advised it would be within 48 hours. Then the 2nd person told me it would be within the next week or so then I was advised it would be before this Monday just gone (9th june) and today I have been told it will HOPEFULLY be before this coming Monday and if it hasn't happened to call back again. They have had the application 3 weeks now and I am aware you don't have to pay for the upgrade at this point but I have told them I am willing to pay still if it speeds anything up. I have asked my mp to chase things along for me but he only deals in writing letters (don't think he realises it's 2014 and there are such things as email or telephone but hey - he is writing them a letter on my behalf). Does anyone have anymore helpful ideas on what I can do to get my upgrade? Or has it taken anybody else 4 or more requests to the upgrade team for them to call? Thanks x

Sonya8007 · 10/06/2014 15:17

We didn't get my son's Bulgarian passport yesterday so rang the Durham office this morning and they gave me the DX tracking number. I phoned the courier but they said they don't have this tracking number on the system so I had to call back Durham and the lady on the phone managed somehow to track it for me and it said it was left at the DX depot last night at 6.33 pm and it should show on the system in the morning
I am going crazy now! The Bulgarian passport has been send last Wednesday and I don't understand why it takes that long to be delivered

Sonya8007 · 10/06/2014 15:26

Allmycats I did send my son's application 3 months and still haven't got it it is pretty obvious that the passport system doesn't work properly

pickletray · 10/06/2014 15:42

Bit disappointed to hear of all your problems getting the upgrade team call back Becksmay25. I was told on Friday someone would ring me today about it. i have had my phone next to me all day and it's twenty to four and still nothing.

On the other hand, i spoke to a really helpful guy. I asked about the discrepancy between me sending it and them logging it as received. He said he would change my application from normal to "priority". Not sure if this helps me and i may still need to upgrade. He explained how the people on the 0300 number only have a few dates on a computer screen, and he also said he would get someone from the "progress team" to ring me with more info. But don't know when.

Why didn't i ask more questions?

If nobody rings me by end of today I will be back on the phone tomorrow morning and may try the Belfast number.

becksmay25 · 10/06/2014 15:53

pickletray maybe the Belfast office are better at dealing with the upgrade requests. The lady I spoke to Liverpool today told me she wishes me good luck...not too sure what to think about. Hoping it wasn't because I really need it! I don't know if I should leave it til Monday for the upgrade team to call or if u should be back on the phone again tomorrow morning, but then what do I say...I am sure at that stage they will tell me to wait til Monday as advised! A bit worrying as the Liverpool office are threatening to strike at the end of the month according to the news and their backlogs are apparently as bad as Durham (which seems to have now cleared a bit by the looks of it her posts on this thread and others I am looking at)!

yummmymummy1 · 10/06/2014 16:09

pickletray they wont upgrade it until its in the final stages of the processing system so it may be they wont call you back until the end of the week but once they do upgrade it you will probably have it the next day so dont give up hope xx

becksmay25 · 10/06/2014 16:10

yummmymummy1 does that mean I won't get an upgrade at all as mine are still awaiting examination?

jamtoast12 · 10/06/2014 16:17

Becky, I have a friend who is waiting on two kids first passports at liverpool too...received by them on 19th - we fly on 23rd and no call for upgrade yet either.

yummmymummy1 · 10/06/2014 16:18

no you will mine were still awaiting examination on thurday and i have 2 of them delivered today we fly on friday what i ment was they wont ring untilo it has passed the checks but once its passed its a matter on hours and its printed and sent out mine were all passed on sunday and i got them this morning one is coming tomorrow

becksmay25 · 10/06/2014 16:21

jam have they been speaking to the Liverpool number direct? Are their passports still awaiting exam? Would anyone suggest I leave it til Monday and keep fingers crossed they call me or ring every few/every day for updates in the hope that helps. Don't want to annoy them even more than I probably already have!

yummmymummy1 · 10/06/2014 16:22

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yummmymummy1 · 10/06/2014 16:22

sorry about the typos trying to feed the baby and type one handed lol

JammyGeorge · 10/06/2014 17:00

I've got my passport! My dates etc if it helps anyone...

Childs first passport

Check & send 2nd may

Text received 6th may

Chased at 3 week point and requested upgrade

Rang several times and involved mp but just sat in upgrade queue

Travel date Friday 13th June

Phonecall Monday 9th June from upgrades saying working on it.

2nd phone call today tues 10th June saying putting if through free of charge will be ready in 4 hours

Collected from Durham passport office - done.

So they are working to travel dates and are calling people back. Defo call the Durham 0845 number at 8 in the morning for updates.

We'll never know if me chasing and involving mp made any difference but she did say she only called me on Monday as she could see I'd been ringing them!

Chocomint · 10/06/2014 18:32

Some reassurance that passports do get processed within 3 weeks. We got our daughter's back today, 2 weeks and 5 days after submitting the application via the Post Office Check & Send service.