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?!

Fingers crosses I can get through today then & finally get this sorted!!

I agree tiredemma - They should remove this from their website if it isn't accurate & Also remove it from the 0300 number when you call as the 3 week time limit is constantly repeated for childeens new passports!!

Im not hopeful at all. When I spoke to the person at Durham earlier this week to request the upgrade they gave me the address of the team to send her Birth Certificate to. They said to send it normal first class post as sending it special delivery causes another 2 day delay due it needing to be processed differently internally.

I phoned yesterday and today to see if its arrived and looking at my application they cant see if its actually there or not.

Been told to call back now on tuesday.

I feel physically sick.

Oh no :( That's awful. I have been trying to get through to Durham all morning but keep going through the hold music. Been on hold now for 40 minutes!!!

What number are you ringing?

I really hope this gets sorted for you & you are able to enjoy your family holiday!

Fair enough tiredemma, I guess I would always assume the worst and factor in more time just in case.

You'd think they would do the same and that 3 weeks would be pessimistic from their pov. Not least because people will be chasing at the 3 week point based on their own guidance. Always better to under promise and over deliver rather than the other way round!

Did you do the application online and print off? I did and got a text the day before the passport arrived to say it was on its way.

Good luck and hope you make it on your holiday.

I had sent Ds2's off just 4 weeks before (couldnt afford to do them all at the same time) and his came back within 10 days so I suppose that added to my optimism!!

marie I would suggest when you do get through that you actually give your date of travel as a few days before you are actually travelling if that makes sense? they are doing it in date order.

If I had any brains about me i would have said that I was travelling on the 27th or something- I probably would know by now if I can get the passports or not. Instead ill spend the weekend stressing and not sleeping.

Winespider- I didnt know about the online thing until after I had filled in the form! wish I had now (theres a lot of things I wish I had done actually!like sent it off last september when DD was born!)

I sent off childs first passport 3 weeks ago today rang 0300 number they told me it's 'awaiting examination' does that mean they haven't even opened it?

But as it took a week to get from the post office to the passport office I can't upgrade or talk to anyone or do anything until next week.

We don't go for another 4 weeks but it is bloody annoying. I checked the website it said 3 weeks, asked lady in post office who said 3 weeks, my other boys 1st passport last year came back in 10 days.

If it had said longer I would of paid for a fast track without hesitation but I thought I had a spare 4 weeks to play with! Now I can't upgrade to a faster service until next week if I can get through, if they call me back and if they let me.

They are absolutely bloody useless.

Thanks Tiredemma - We are in exactly the same boat I couldnt afford to do everyones so left this one until last as I was assured it would take no longer then 3 weeks!! I could cry everytime just thinking about it.

Still on hold to them - I am ringing 0845 601 5175 - Is this the right number?

I just hope they can give me some answers!! It is awful they are making you wait again until Tuesday!! Do they not understand how much stress this causes!!

Thats the correct number. Just keep trying. It took me 45 mins this morning

Hi, Finally got through after an hour - Still in square one!!

The passport is waiting and examination - Which she said basically means it hasn't been looked at yet!!

I said I am travelling soon and she says she can't guarantee it will be back before we travel :'(

She offered an upgrade but I have to wait for someone to call back to put that through as she can't take the payment. Which she believes will now be after the bank holiday & it may still be to short notice and to close to the holiday to put the upgrade through.

I think it is time to face the facts that we won't be travelling :(

oh dear. Thats doesnt bode well for me either.

Tiredemma - I received a callback but from the wrong team - I am waiting for the upgrade team to phone me now, From what I was told by the nice gentleman on the phone they are open Saturday, Sunday and on Bank holiday so don't give up hope just yet :)

passportwoman thank you for updating us, as you say the powers that be should do the decent thing and update the website as should the Post Office when accepting our check and send applications.

Marie2312

DH took 2 days off work to keep redialling the Durham number. We are still waiting the promised call back to upgrade. They have had DD passport renewal for over 4 weeks and it is apparently 'still awaiting examination', it was done via check and send. I'm not expecting a call until Tuesday and DD due to travel Wednesday, Durham is a 7 hour drive away.

We have had to explain to her that sister will be visiting GP's without her

Goodness, it sounds like I was very lucky to get mine back in 4 weeks. Sounds like a very difficult place to be right now "passportwoman".

How silly that they don't want to change the advice of 3 weeks to 6 weeks average wait time, that would at least manage people's expectations and help with planning holidays.

Good luck to everyone waiting.

I received a callback at around 3pm today from a really nice lady - She just went over all the details with me & said when my upgrade goes through hopefully Tuesday I will 'Definitely' get it before I travel!! She told me I had no need to worry as I still had a while before I go (1st June)!! I just really hope she was being realistic & I have not been misled!

I will keep you updated!

Due to travel on the 28th! they have had my passport now for around 6 weeks. My year old passport got a tiny amount of water on it and because the new style photo page is not laminated like it used to be half my photo disappeared. been told i have been passed over to upgrades but passport still waiting to be examined.
I have phoned every day this week but same story given, dont hold much hope now and stand to lose over 2k on this holiday. I wish i kept my damaged one and just tried it.

Passportwomen

Do you think i have any hope of receiving it before Tuesday?
Are the passport office working this weekend and bank holiday?

i finally managed to get a call back from Peterborough office today and theyve fasttracked the passports which i can pick up on tuesday.
im grateful to eurocamp who let me postpone my holiday a week to give me a better chance to get them through. So so relieved

i finally managed to get a call back from Peterborough office today and theyve fasttracked the passports which i can pick up on tuesday.
im grateful to eurocamp who let me postpone my holiday a week to give me a better chance to get them through. So so relieved

Mamasaurus

"my 17 yr old son needs his first passport within just under 6 weeks"

I think that means he will need an interview, I suppose that might slow things down a bit but fingers crossed for you.

This thread is scary and heartbreaking. I'm terrified of passports - absolutely petrified of applying for them, losing them... Ours are OK for this year (travelling August) but I keep getting an urge to go and check on them in case they've, I don't know, dissolved or something.

@passportwoman I want to appreciate ur explanation of the situation, but pls I need ur assistance Becos d people at 300 are nt helping. Mine is an overseas application for first adult passport, I applied since feb 15 and when ever I call for up date all I get is it under examination. For over 12weeks. Its nt fair. I really don't knw what to do anymore. I plan to travel in June.

Text saying my passport is ready for printing
I got a text message from HMPO today saying that my passport has been sent for print, so I called Peterborough and they then said that my passport got sent for printing yesterday (22nd May).
When shall I expect ''the knock at the door''..?

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2637819/Passport-chaos-threatens-ruin-half-term-getaway-overwhelmed-staff-struggle-issue-documents-time.html