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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:
passportwoman · 24/05/2014 07:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Tiredemma · 24/05/2014 07:21

I really feel for you- honestly I do.

Im more frustrated at myself than anyone at the passport office as I should have sent these off months ago really. I sent my sons renewal off in March and it came back within 10 days so I know that I cant moan- when it works, it works.

I too work in a public service industry where we are expected to consistently deliver with vastly diminishing resources and I am often getting abuse from the public. I understand your frustrations.

In my heart I know that DD's Birth Certificate is languishing somewhere separate to her application and by the time I (may) get a call later in the week- it will be too long to do anything about it. Im resigned to this now. DP's passport renewal is in the same envelope so I know he wont get his either.

passportwoman · 24/05/2014 07:33

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Tiredemma · 24/05/2014 07:39

Have a good day PW.

I promise not to cry.

Tiredemma · 24/05/2014 07:51

on a bonus note. Ive lost about 4lbs through sheer stress.

madlene · 24/05/2014 08:18

@passport I need ur assistance mine is first adult passport I submitted since feb 15 , an overseas application. Called 0300 severally now they say they can't trace my ref number. What is going on? I need to information

jamtoast12 · 24/05/2014 08:25

The article suggests though that nearly everyone is getting them in target time..... Only 6753 out of 980,695 are later than target times on the web site so the back log can't be that bad surely? I know it's awful for those in the 6753 but 98% success rate is pretty good going for many companies given human error etc. I expect those in power are looking at overall figures rather than the personal stories behind them.

I can't understand why they don't change the website timescale though. Plus I don't know why they are advising against fast track on the phone? My friend has just applied for her dds first passport, flying in 5 weeks. She asked for a fast track appointment and they said no, she didn't need it!

Deb2202 · 24/05/2014 08:38

I rang the 0300 number and clicked the request upgrade option, the recorded message was saying over and over unless you fly in less than 3 weeks don't upgrade just submit through post office check and send as it has a 3 week turnaround!

Well obviously not! As you've had our application 3/4 weeks and not even looked at it!!!

It's not the backlog or delays that's annoying me it's the fact that if they told the truth we all would have submitted it by fast track in the first place if we needed it quickly and their would be none of this carry on.

MegMogandOwlToo · 24/05/2014 08:59

It's not the backlog or delays that's annoying me it's the fact that if they told the truth we all would have submitted it by fast track in the first place if we needed it quickly and their would be none of this carry on.

Exactly! I submitted mine 3 weeks ago, as it was 6 weeks until we went away.

We go away in 3 weeks and it hasn't even been examined yet! I called to upgrade and was told I can only do this if I have a week or less until travel.

I'm so stressed, I just want our passports.

BrieAndChilli · 24/05/2014 12:30

If I sent 3 children's applications next week would it be likely that we would get them back by beginning ofnaugust?

lucylucylu238 · 24/05/2014 14:20

i have been waiting for my daughters passport for 4 weeks now we fly out end of july reading this thread has got me a little stressed and worried plus i have lost the piece of paper i wrote the barcode number on so i cant even trace the progress is there anyway i can find out the progress of the application?? and another thing i live in London why did the application go to Durham???

dazcheff · 24/05/2014 14:26

I live in Southampton mine also went to durham. Fly out Wednesday if a miracle happens and they contact me ill have to collect.

Retropear · 24/05/2014 14:31

Lucy we live in a Devon.Same question.Why Durham,they usually go to Newport.

Tiredemma · 24/05/2014 14:31

No wonder Durham cant cope. seems like they are taking the applications for the entire UK

Retropear · 24/05/2014 14:35

Really shitting myself.We're waiting for 4.Only had e-mails back for 3 which makes me think there is a problem with 1. The way the system works you can't work out which it is if there are several from one family.

Going end of July,been 3 weeks.Kids will be beyond disappointed if we don't go.

passportwoman · 24/05/2014 16:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Tiredemma · 24/05/2014 17:06

Hi PW- can I just ask what timeframe are you working on now? Is it people going on tuesday/weds? Also can I ask you about sending post in to the upgrade team how does it find its way to the correct application? I'm stressing that DD's birth certificate has gone missing. Thanks

jdg123 · 24/05/2014 18:20

Do you think things will get better after this week, ie. after the half term is over?

Brooke27abc · 24/05/2014 19:04

Hi passport woman. I was wondering if you could give me some advice please? I sent my passport through check and send service and durham office received it on 8th may. It was only name change through marriage so was in no rush for passport. However I got a call on Wednesday night informing me my mum has took ill and so I really need to fly abroad ASAP. After numerous long calls to advice line and getting nowhere I drove to glasgow office yesterday morning. The first woman who spoke to me was extremely unhelpful and told me unless I had medical records I had no chance in getting passport. I tried to explain that the situation with my mums new partner was complicated and he was not getting back to me with such information. Another helpful woman told me the quickest way for me to travel would be to withdraw application and travel under maiden name so I have been informed glasgow have emailed durham for me. Could you please tell me honestly how long a withdrawal takes as I really would hope to travel Wednesday at the latest and I would even be prepared to travel to durham for old documents? If anyone else on thread has any advice it would be much appreciated thanks

JonJo19 · 25/05/2014 00:36

From what I hear, applications will end up in any office within the uk. I'm assuming it's a way of spreading the workload so one office doesn't get inundated.
We lost quite a bit of money due to missing our holiday back in 1999. Hard to take at the time but, to be honest, no-one to blame but ourselves. We were lured by the cheap package price - the passport was an afterthought!
I empathise with anyone with a set travel date, but bottom line - you get the passport in your hand before you book a holiday. It's clearly stated the passport application notes & the website. I can't understand why someone would do it the other way round! They're not obligated to meet your flight dates - their business is the confirmation of identity & nationality.
PW - every sympathy for you & your colleagues. I'm well aware of the staffing cuts...etc. And I also notice the time has come for the yearly bashing from the Daily Mail. If it wasn't you, it would be some other government department!

Retropear · 25/05/2014 06:55

No sorry I don't buy that.

These passports cost a fortune.We're paying for these passport offices before we even pay the ludicrous renewal price on top.Many businesses and the holiday industry would have serious problems if those with renewals looming only booked after they'd been done.Life isn't that easy,you might only have 6 months left in between uses.Sorry for the price you pay in this day and age customers should be able to have and use a time frame.

It says 3 weeks,it still says 3 weeks on the gov website last dated the 23rd May.What is the point of putting a time frame of any length if they have no intention of keeping to it?

If it was a business they'd be in serious shite selling something under false pretences which they are.

jamtoast12 · 25/05/2014 07:56

But retropear if the article above is correct, 98% are being processed in 3 weeks. Of course we only hear about the late ones. A couple on this thread have confirmed they've had there's on time, my friends have had there's too.

Sadly this happens every year, it makes the news every year which is why the article gets so many defensive comments for the passport office because people still book holiday long before they sort passport (not everyone of course). It is frustrating that passport office still says 3 weeks but I don't know anyone who actually relies on this statement.

Retropear · 25/05/2014 08:08

Then it shouldn't be on the website or in the form literature.Take it off or give a correct one.

The reason it's on there is because they know the holiday industry don't want people not booking and businesses need a basic time frame to work with.

OwlCapone · 25/05/2014 08:14

Many businesses and the holiday industry would have serious problems if those with renewals looming only booked after they'd been done

You can renew your passport 9 (?) months before it expires and they add the extra time on so you get the full validity. Not use how this would cause problems for business.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 25/05/2014 08:15

Perhaps someone should do an FOI request to see the actual figures of processing time rather than one quoted in the press.

There are lots of reasons why people can't allow huge amounts of time for a passport to arrive - they may travel frequently for work or hop over to France to visit family. Their passport may have become damaged or lost in between booking or they may simply have believed the website.

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