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?!

From sounds of things here, a load of excess boxes have been shipped to Belfast for processing.

My 48-hr call back didn't happen - obviously, so I'll be hitting the phones again tomorrow. I would pay them any money right now. It would be worth it for the decent nights sleep it would give me.

Dont be sending anymore boxes to Belfast they cant cope with what's there already

According to today's mail (online) the backlog at Durham is by far the worst compared to all the other offices.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2660029/Half-million-people-waiting-passport-backlog-DOUBLED-just-three-months-ministers-lost-control-union-official-reveals.html

mine was sent to Durham first, was sat in the pile for 7 days before they decided to move it to Belfast (complete waste of a whole week)!

I phoned newport, picked up straight away, but told passports are in Liverpool. They gave me direct number and said to try and get them upgraded. Sat on the phone for 1 hr to Liverpool and still no answer, had to pick up son so couldn't stay on the line any longer. Will try again tomorrow

ThePrisonerofAzkaban could you post the number for Newport please? I haven't been able to find it so have been stuck calling the general advice line.

newport 08456015403

Liverpool 08456015107

Thank you I'll save that number! Can I ask where you're based? Makes no sense for your passports to have been sent from one office to another...

The Newport office is 0845-6015403

I'm based on the low Welsh boarders, as far in England as you get before hitting Wales.

My passport as been sent for printing I'm over moon

Hi. My passport was received 2 weeks ago at Peterborough. Small office I believe. Has anyone's passport been processed there and what were the times? Checked this thread but only mentions Belfast, Durham and Liverpool.Travel on the 4th July so not panicking........kinda!

Aldo I found out yesterday my Ds 1st passport is at Peterborough too.
Been 2 weeks as well and we fly on the 1st July, the lady on the advice line emailed them and I'm hoping to get a call by Thursday evening from them to see if I can upgrade.

I spoke to a friend who lives in Belfast last night and she said they have been employing loads of extra people to get through the backlog. Unfortunately she doesn't know anyone directly!

Fingers crossed for us all.

hi I have been following this link spoke to advice line this morn very helpful guy he has put a complaint in for me I did email my mp who is also helping chase passport very hopeful at the moment !!!!! we fly 6th july fingers and toes crossed. so big thankyou to all who have offered advice.xxxx

My MP's assistant said the passport office will contact me direct but I'm still waiting.

Update on durham two child renewals sent 16th May recieved with no contact from myself today. Just waiting on one more renewal.

rang durham this morning even though my partners app is at liverpool. his app is a first ever passport and the guy told me that his app hasnt even been looked at it yet and that it's ONLY been 5 weeks? he sounded unfazed we had been waiting this long. said we should wait another week until i get to 6 week period and ring liverpool to ask them to start looking at application and then they will discuss interview etc. this has made me feel so uneasy as we fly 2 weeks today. i am not taking his word for it though and going to call liverpool tomorrow to ask if they can look at it now. i know everything is fine with his app as we used check and send so its annoying knowing they just havent got round to it yet :(

Mine's also at Liverpool simple renewal been 7 weeks

janjanmama - oh no :( seems to be random where some people havent been affected by the backlog and others are waiting ages for a simple renewal. i like you contacted my MP who said they are waiting on a call back from a customer service manager. just gotta remain hopeful i guess.

Yes kutie - remain hopeful. have to. will inform mp if no contact from Liverpool by end of this week...

Hi I am new to this but I wanted to let you known I put in for my twins first past ports I did 100.o. check and send on the 29 May got text on 3 June
To say they got them
Just had a call from the peason who sign photo she had a letter from past port so hopefully I should get mind back soon

Sorry I mend post office check and send

How long should I wait before calling the Newport office direct do you think? I've spoken to the advice line a few times but they've mostly been useless, one did tell me that my application had been received last Friday (sent off last Wednesday via check and send). So it's only been a week - would you wait another week before calling Newport to make sure they've got my app and it's being processed? The automated message says that the number is only for people who've had a letter, so I feel guilty for bothering them when I only sent my app off a week ago!