Passport Processing Time

[bex12345]

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?!

JammyGeorge - that is great for you. Sure you are pleased. I travel next week on Saturday and latest update is that I will be upgraded and they will call me closer to travel date. I live in london so travelling to durham to collect isn't ideal. Did you choose this option? If they deliver, do they offer fast delivery which I would be happy to pay for? Also prior to them calling you, when did they say they would upgrade. It seems they are working so close to travel date and I am just hoping that they are making progress through the backlog so that we get passports a few days ahead of travel so it is not a completely stressful build up to holiday!

On Friday they said that upgrades would look at the application on the 8th at the earliest so 5 days before, I think they actually opened it on the 9th, then got it on 10th so 3 days before.

I chose to pick it up as I live up here so she didn't give me any other options but others have said about 24 hour couriers I think.

There was a girl in the office travelling on the 15th asking for help because she'd missed an upgrade call!

I spoke with an examiner today and he said he'd examined it and it was ready for pick up but I had to collect it from Peter'boro but the payment/fast track team had to take a payment off me first. That was at 11:30am and I'm still waiting for them to call me to take the payment. Even though it's past the processing time they want me to pay the extra which is fine but I have to wait for them to call me and my travel date is tomorrow....,

I'd just go tomorrow holly. Try and ring 8.45am on way to office but I dont think you have much choice?! Is your flight late?

What time is your flight tomorrow Holly? Have you contacted your MP?

My flight is at 7pm tomorrow but I have to get from London to Peterborough so think I will just drive there in the morning.... They must have the ability for you to pay there as they do the one day premium on site. Trying to stay calm but the woman I spoke to earlier said there is a note on the application saying my travel date is tomorrow. Here's hoping.... Good luck everyone

Hello can some one assist on d number to call on overseas applications pls not 0300

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2654195/May-accused-incredible-complacency-holiday-crisis-MPs-say-families-state-panic-passport-delays.html

Not sure how they can deny there is not a backlog now... The arrogance of ministers is breathtaking.

1 have 3 overseas renewals currently in Belfast. Which office is dealing with yours?

My passport applications must be in that picture somewhere :(

omg that picture is awful - mine are presumably all in there too. Wish I hadn't looked . Mind you there could be teams of people grabbing those box files all day long and whizzing through them .

It is the Daily Mail though....

Hayland how long have Liverpool had ur application and what type is it? Do u live near there?

I have 3 pending and they are all at Peterborough - I think .... been there for 3 weeks and all renewals - 2 children's one mine. How about you?

I stupidly didn't write down the application bar codes and so it's proving hard to find them. Waiting for a call back before tomorrow at 5pm but not holding my breath.

When I did speak to them they were very reassuring though and seemed to think that things were running more smoothly than the media were portraying. I don't know, hard to judge whether they were just saying that or would they be truthful and keep expectations low if that were the case re media reporting?

300,000 extra applications on last year is horrendous however you look at it though....

Hopefully Holly you will get your passport tomorrow!
And that picture is worrying on the Daily Mail article... That's made me worried now :( I'm so scared my passport won't come back in time! I'm going to phone tomorrow and see how it's getting on! It should be here on Monday but I have my doubts!

Just found this forum, I have sent my sons passport for renewal a couple of weeks ago. I phoned Belfast office last week (wed 4th) just to check progress as was really wanting to book a holiday soon, they informed me that they were currently looking at applications received on 19th May, today I phoned again and they are now on applications from the 22nd! Not looking like we will have his passport back any time soon as his was received on 29th May in Belfast. Here's the Belfast number I found which put me through straightaway to their office-028 9078 9464. I wish everyone the best of luck.

Holidayhopeful3, my passport too is at Belfast. I sent it off on the 17th of May and they received it the 17th then changed it to the 22nd (?) I phoned the 0300 number and they said it's going under security checks which made happy as it would but that turned out to be a lie!

I phoned the Belfast direct office to realize it hadnt even been seen! I went into panic mode and they said not to worry and they will put it under examination for today or Friday and will have it by Monday the latest hopefully if everything is correct. Here's the number I phoned: 0845 601 9031. Be prepared to wait up to an hour for an answer but they will help! emphasize the dates you're traveling so they know what to work to! If it says something about a letter - ignore it and wait. Good luck

Fingers crossed for you hairbrush123. The number I have posted before put me through immediately although they did ask me where I got it from, they were able to give full info on progress. Maybe it's worth you trying it? When is your holiday booked for?

Thanks holidayhopeful3. Crossing my fingers for you too! I will try the number you posted tomorrow and see what they've got to say. Thanks for that! You should try that 0845 number if you can't get help from any Belfast number. They're very helpful and hopefully are sticking to their word. I plan to fly out on the 21st of June.
The woman at the 0845 said I shouldn't worry as I have a while left but it will be processed as early as tomorrow (today) and will be here no later than Monday if everything goes to plan! Have you tried contacting your MP if it's urgent? Good luck with everything and keep us updated!

Thanks hairbrush123, I will try that number, seems by reading posts in this forum I'll be waiting a while yet. I haven't contacted my mp as I have resigned myself to the fact it maybe a U.K holiday for us.

When do you plan to travel? Don't give up!

I applied overseas for my dd 's renewal. This is her 3rd time renew. Just got a reply email from Liverpool office and know that they received all documents on 1st May. Still waiting for examination. Heard that some cases have been pending for three to nine months. We have booked and pre-paid the flights and hotels. Those are non-refundable. Dd will start her school in UK soon. It is impossible for us to go to the office and ask or do anything in person. So stressful!

Theresa May might claim that the 'majority' are issued on time, but the 2012/13 Accounts show (page 9) that they missed their target for processing passports to their specified time (target 99.5%, performance 84.5%)

Story is on BBC Breakfast now.

They have redeployed staff, many of whom are working 7 days a week. But they cited a claim that over 97% are issued on time. Unless they are using a different target to that given in the department accounts, that's quite a change since the last published figures.

Janjanmama- I am in a similar position to you. I have spoken to the consulate in the country I am in and they have said that if my children's passports do not arrive soon (3 months and 8 days so far) they will issue emergency documentation to get my kids back in to the UK.

Hairbrush123 we were planning a holiday in the next month as work and other things are stopping us later than that. Hope you get on alright today!