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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:
Anthy72 · 12/06/2014 21:16

Hi, received a letter from Durham passport office saying my son's renewal has been rejected as not countersigned they ask me to complete form provided but since they was no form enclosed. I can't in touch with anyone and the 0300 transfers you to a automated system to leave your details that was on Tuesday still no call back. I just need to know if I can just complete a new form from the post office? They didn't even return the photos !!!!!

Irishtown · 12/06/2014 21:17

Sorry Hecticmummy didnt mean it to sound like that. I only used the 0300 number to enquire where our 3 applications were. I hope you get some news soon good luck

Irishtown · 12/06/2014 21:19

There are numbers on this thread for every office have a look back and ring first thing in the morning

hecticmummy · 12/06/2014 21:50

No worries Irishtown. Just wanted to clarify that I wasn't using that number.
From reading the latest posts, I am getting a bit nervous that the situation isn't improving that much. People are really getting passports at the very end.

Irishtown · 12/06/2014 22:08

I can't think of anything else. I'm substituting passport for other words in conversation. I dream of passports......it's taking over my life. I have time if they pull their finger out.

Hairbrush123 · 12/06/2014 22:15

Anthy72. I do not think you have to pay for a new application. It will just cause delays to your passport application. Just send it back to the Passport Office you sent it to in the first place, I think!

Hairbrush123 · 12/06/2014 22:18

Sorry Anthy72, I read it wrong. I don't think you can. Have you tried going to your local PO and asking?

Hairbrush123 · 12/06/2014 22:21

BeyondBurma. WOW! Did you call your MP? When do you travel again? Did you have to pay for an upgrade? I'm so happy for you! I'm waiting for mine to come back still any day now! I think I'm going to phone tomorrow as I thought it would be here by now on the 0845 number to see when it will arrive as I have received the text!

Anthy72 · 12/06/2014 22:37

Thanks. I went PO and got a new form. Just didn't want to confuse them, reference quoted must be from previous application. I still can't believe they didn't send photos back! Oh well fingers crossed and try again thank goodness we're not travelling till October.

Hairbrush123 · 12/06/2014 22:41

Anthy72. Hopefully you won't get any more problems & go on your trip without problems! I've got just over one week to get my passport back but apparently it shouldn't be here any later than Monday and I received the text yesterday saying it's being printed and will be here within a few working days! Still panicking as it isn't my hands yet!

Hairbrush123 · 12/06/2014 23:01

Beaverbill. I am almost certain you can fast track a child's first passport. Check the HMPO website, it should say.
They can only fast track it after examination.

BeyondBurma · 13/06/2014 07:46

Thank you Hairbrush .To be honest and to give hope to people, I didn't call my MP, upgrade or even pester them that much. They just came within 4 weeks.

If I'm honest I think the media has made this massive and the system probably is working for most people although there was someone on R4 this morning saying that it is dreadful at the offices. So hard to know what is true isn't it?

That's good that you got a text saying it is being printed - nearly there! I didn't get any texts or call backs at all - they just turned up.

It's really strange though, having spent so long worried sick and yes substituting words for 'passport' I almost can't allow myself to be happy as my brain is still in anxious and worried state. Still feel a sort of dread which is completely stupid I know. I keep checking them to see that they are real Blush.

We are going on a massively expensive, big family reunion in the Far East - I would have been devastated not to have made it. Once in a lifetime stuff.

Praying and hoping for everyone's passports to wing their way to them very soon.

BeyondBurma · 13/06/2014 07:47

Sorry going in just over 3 weeks time and yes I blame myself totally for not applying sooner. I really think they should give incentives such as cheaper fees for people who apply over the winter months.

hecticmummy · 13/06/2014 08:32

Called again and message pretty much consistent. Should be expect a call wednesday next week (travelling Saturday). He told me people working very close to travel date, and that he was just on a call with someone needing their passport on monday and while on the call, getting a call from the upgrade team. Phew! This is going to be a stressful week.

Hairbrush123 · 13/06/2014 09:16

Hecticmummy, you're traveling on the 21st too? I'm going to call the 0845 now and ask maybe for a delivery code to track my courier or tell me when it's gonna be here...

Hairbrush123 · 13/06/2014 09:18

Wow! beyondburma it's great you didn't have to do that as a last resort! I'm very happy for you! When are you going? And sounds exciting! I would have been hugely disappointed if I couldn't go as you've paid so much! I hope you enjoy your family reunion Smile

pickletray · 13/06/2014 09:44

Happy foe you Beyondburma. Your idea about discounts/incentives for applying in the winter months is a brilliant one!

I blame myself for my situation. I was complacent. I thought 8 weeks would be enough for a childs first passport. I wish I'd used check and send or at least sent it recorded delivery -seeing as it took a suspicious 17 days from me posting it for them to mark it as received.

I need my sons passport in three weeks. I know my situation is better than a lot on here but still worried. If it is processed in the time its supposed to I would be fine.

Two callback deadlines have been and gone. Is it too soon for me to ring the Belfast office direct?

stefsof · 13/06/2014 09:53

The number for Liverpool is just ringing and ringing now - no automated message whilst on hold. Not sure what that means, especially as it was working 24 hours ago...

sighbynight · 13/06/2014 10:01

I don't know if I should be panicking or not. Obviously I am. We fly on 5 July. The flights were booked in December and it had totally slipped my mind to check the dates on the passports.

Anyway, I realised at the beginning of this month that one out of the six of us (my 10yo daughter) had expired, and sent it in via check and send at the Post Office on 5 June. My fault. Entirely my fault. This is cutting it fine at the best of times, although I've always had things back within 2.5 weeks with check and send in the past.

A week later and I haven't had any confirmation of receipt from the passport office. I'd have fast tracked it if I had known. Or made an appointment at the passport office. I don't even know what office the application is at - we are equidistant from Liverpool and Durham.

How long do I leave it before I move to panic level 2? Or rather, what would you do in my situation?

hecticmummy · 13/06/2014 10:08

Hairbrush123 - yes, I travel on the 21st. So cutting it very fine. But our application is in Durham - I think yours was elsewhere. It seems Durham is working the closest to travel date although some do seem to be getting theirs a bit earlier. I just wished I had used the fast track service, but I thought six weeks for a straight forward child passport was enough time.

kylecarey · 13/06/2014 10:10

0845 number for the London passport office anyone please?

gowan1990 · 13/06/2014 10:18

Just spoke to Liverpool mine not been examined yet because it's a lost passport needs double the checks said passed to priority team I travel on 25th said I should get a call back by Thursday I can't cope

pickletray · 13/06/2014 10:19

sighbynight i travel the same weekend as you. I sent mine on 10th May but it allegedly wasn't received until 27th (17 days later). Definitely ring passprt office and ask if it's been received. You can then explain situation and ask about getting it upgraded. I think you will need to.

0300 can give you basic info on where in the system it is. If you need more info you can request a callback from progress team but they don't seem to be calling people back when they say they will, you can get the direct number for the offices on this thread. Which office did it go to?

Hairbrush123 · 13/06/2014 10:20

Hecticmummy. Oh god! The same as me! Mine is at Belfast. Don't panic too much. You still have some time left. Just keep phoning! What process is it at?

Hairbrush123 · 13/06/2014 10:23

Kylecarey: I've found this number: 0844 496 0605

I've just been in touch with the direct office in Belfast and he said that my passport was printed off yesterday and was sent to the courier (I forgot to ask was it sent yesterday or today!) and gave me the telephone number to ask for a tracking number. I'm going to give them a phone in a minute! I'm not going to panic too much as I still have a week for them to give it to me but I just want to know when it will be here!