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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:
OwlCapone · 25/05/2014 08:24

A fair number of the delays seem to be counter signatory problems where they are waiting for a response. I can't see why the system can't send a text advising the applicant that they have asked for further information which would allow them to ensure the countersignatory gets the letter.

Retropear · 25/05/2014 08:34

Yes a teacher friend of mine last year had a request for more info sent to her school during a school holiday.She and the applicant were oblivious.Confused

MegMogandOwlToo · 25/05/2014 08:40

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.

Because you have to send your old passport back as part of the renewal process, so you are without a passport during that time. If you travel frequently, this causes problems when the website states 3 weeks processing time, but the reality appears to be longer.

jamtoast12 · 25/05/2014 08:44

You can plan though, between oct - February you can get them back easily in 2 weeks. If you need sooner, you can do fast track or premium one day.

Tiredemma · 25/05/2014 09:25

That was mt problem jam- bloody DP and his never ending work jaunts abroad (2 a month). This was the only opportunity to squeeze in the renewal (sent in on 24th apr) - which is still 5 weeks and almost double the advice given on the site.

Retropear · 25/05/2014 09:33

Not everybody can afford fast track on top of the renewal prices.

Also we didn't know we could afford another holiday and I wouldn't have wanted to renew all 4 and risk a year of non use unless we knew we'd definitely use them that year.

GB is hardly the third world.Seriously given the prices charged this simply isn't good enough.We should have a decent passport service and we don't.It's beyond crap.

OwlCapone · 25/05/2014 09:53

If you travel frequently, this causes problems when the website states 3 weeks processing time, but the reality appears to be longer.

It's only longer during peak application times. If you can't find a slot in the 9 months to do your renewal during a quieter time then you have to pay to fast track it.

I suspect it's not coincidence that these passport threads only crop up at this time of year. If you travel frequently, you need to plan well.

Retropear · 25/05/2014 10:17

Sorry but going by that argument a gov office should also plan ahead and well-ie recruit more staff and perhaps not close two UK offices and stop embassies processing passports if it's unable to vote during the time the maj want to use it.

It's not rocket science and people are paying more than enough to expect decent service any time of year and the time stipulated on their website and literature.

Retropear · 25/05/2014 10:17

Cope

OhYouBadBadKitten · 25/05/2014 10:21

Absolutely retro and they should give realistic waiting time updates as well. Not difficult to put on their website 'waiting time sep-feb 3 weeks, waiting march-August ??? Weeks' so that people have an idea. You shouldn't have to guess that it's going to take double the time.

OwlCapone · 25/05/2014 10:23

Sorry but going by that argument a gov office should also plan ahead and well-ie recruit more staff and perhaps not close two UK offices and stop embassies processing passports if it's unable to vote during the time the maj want to use it.

The two things aren't mutually exclusive, in fact they are linked. If more people applied earlier, thus spreading the load more evenly throughout the year, the delays would be less.

Retropear · 25/05/2014 10:26

Er no it's a service which we're all paying handsomely for whenever we use it.We should be able to use it when it is convenient and needed for the various reasons and more already pointed out.

OwlCapone · 25/05/2014 11:08

You can use it when it is convenient. The service is available all year round. However, like every single other thing out there, it is affected by demand and has peak and off peak times.

Anyone who travels frequently is going to have problems finding time to renew it whenever they do it, so it makes perfect sense to do it in off peak times.

Retropear · 25/05/2014 11:26

No companies and services are supposed to meet customers needs so if they are already failing to meet those needs at peak times you don't take away two offices,give the remaining 3 more work from embassies on top all the while lying about there being a backlog whilst not even looking at applications for the 3 weeks you say customers will have their passports back.

Any company run like this would go bankrupt.Pretty sure Gove wouldn't tolerate the ed dep being run like this either.

Tiredemma · 25/05/2014 12:02

I emailed my MP yesterday evening. I imagine because of the BH he wont become aware of it until tuesday anyway.

jamtoast12 · 25/05/2014 12:04

To be fair the passport office do need to remove the 3 weeks limit that's for sure, it would solve a lot of issues and bad press.

However a lot of the people on here and similar threads are awaiting due to their own error e.g. Some not submitting all supporting documents, others not completing form right, some applying form abroad were timescales are totally different, others saying their counter signatures letter got lost in their internal post (if they send and it gets lost at place of work, how is that the passport offices fault!), counter signature letter sent to school (why put a school contact address down if you know it's going to be closed?), plus there's at least one on her that hasn't even applied with 3 weeks to spare.

With regard to counter signatures, surely you choose someone on the basis that they will be very easy to contact and you inform them to reply ASAP to any correspondence? They can give their home address is needs be. It's all about planning in advance and allowing plenty of time which is stated on pretty much every page of the passport offices site.

Of course there are very genuine delays but I can't believe anyone thinks they can get a passport in a month at peak times regardless of what the website says. Yes you can chance it but why spend £1000s on a holiday then scrimp on the £20 or so per passport to fast track?

OwlCapone · 25/05/2014 12:17

you don't take away two offices,give the remaining 3 more work from embassies on top

The fault for that lies with the government who made cuts. There is no doubt they need more staff but the government at the top of the tree is at fault, not the passport office.

The fact remains that if more people applied for their renewals earlier, demand would be spread out more evenly and delays would be less. Very few people fall into the category of needing a passport urgently or being unable to apply at certain times of the year. If others had the common sense to apply earlier, delays would be less.

My passport is currently in for renewal. I travel at the end of July. I could have applied back in enquiry so it will be my own fault if I have to chase it up urgently because I knew there are delays at this time of year every year.

OwlCapone · 25/05/2014 12:21

There are ways it can be streamlined. They already use electronic communications so it can't be rocket science to automatically let people know electronically where their application is or if it is waiting for further information.

I've just realised I should have chosen a different countersignatory for DS1 as the one I chose is often in the middle of the North Sea on an oil rig. I don't think his application really needed a countersignature so hopefully it won't be a problem. If I knew he'd been sent a letter for example, he could ask his wife to open it and email it to him.

OwlCapone · 25/05/2014 12:22

Everyone wants lower taxes and cuts to government spending. Unfortunately, there are consequences.

jamtoast12 · 25/05/2014 12:24

In fact if you look at website it's states under renewal...it may take longer if further info is required or if form isn't filled in correctly.

For lost and stolen passport it says ...you may have to attend interview which may make it take longer

Under first child passport...it maye take longer if more info is needed. So at all times the 3 weeks looks more like a guide but not absolute.

OwlCapone · 25/05/2014 12:31

I think it should also state that at peak times between XX and XX it can take longer.
I do also think it should be made very clear everywhere how early you can apply for a renewal, maybe some kind of advertising campaign in September suggesting you look into renewing. Obviously this costs money though!

dazcheff · 25/05/2014 14:53

So I have been contacting the passport office everyday for the last 2 weeks with regards to my renewal for a slightly water damaged passport (only 1 year old). I sent it in at the start of April.

My flight is on Wednesday 7am

I was told last week it was with the upgrade team but have heard nothing. All i get is its in examination process.

I have now booked a hotel for tomorrow evening so i can be there Tuesday morning when they open as its the other end of the country in durham.

I explained to the 0300 phone line that i am travelling up there to either pick up my new passport or i want my old one back to travel on that.
I used it earlier in the year on a trip and I was able to travel. I only sent it in as a precaution and now im in this mess!.

bonvony · 25/05/2014 21:58

@passportwoman please ask your colleagues to look at withdrawls, trying to get old passport back which Glasgow office told me hasnt been examined yet (sent it off to change to married name) but will change flight details to maiden name and travel with old passport if I could just get it back. Glasgow have emailed Durham on Friday with attached letter from myself but ive yet to receive callback and cant get through on 0845 number. I just need to speak to someone in person that could make this happen and I will drive down from scotland to collect. I travel on friday and still have to submit esta!!!

bonvony · 25/05/2014 22:04

@passportwoman please ask your colleagues to look at withdrawls, trying to get old passport back which Glasgow office told me hasnt been examined yet (sent it off to change to married name) but will change flight details to maiden name and travel with old passport if I could just get it back. Glasgow have emailed Durham on Friday with attached letter from myself but ive yet to receive callback and cant get through on 0845 number. I just need to speak to someone in person that could make this happen and I will drive down from scotland to collect. I travel on friday and still have to submit esta!!!

Marie2312 · 26/05/2014 10:06

Just had a call back from a lovely lady. She has put my daughters passport in the post so i will receive it special delivery before 1pm on Wednesday :) Didn't have to pay for an upgrade which was a bonus!! Can now start looking forward to our holiday!!