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Original poster

Another passport one - sent passport renewal by post, what happens if I don't get passport in time?

27 replies

SirChenjin · 21/05/2014 19:19

Sent passport to be renewed (complete with old passport, payment and photos) by recorded delivery - signed for at Durham on 19th May. We're travelling on the 6th July - what happens if I don't receive my passport back within the 3 weeks they are quoting on their website? What are my options? I didn't take a note of any ref. number from the application form - panicking now.

OP posts:
cookielove · 21/05/2014 19:45

Well if you don't get it within a week if flying I would call them and see if you can go pick it up. If you can't do that then you may have to delay your travel. I would think it would be back in time.

cazakstan · 21/05/2014 20:08

There was another thread earlier with this same problem concerning Durham passport office...think there's a huge back log. Hope you get sorted soon.

nikki1391 · 21/05/2014 20:52

Without bar code number I don't think you will be able to track passport. I too didn't think to write it down but I sent via check and send and thankfully they wrote it on the receipt. I called the advice line today and was told daughters renewal passport is at Durham and was received 5th may. .It hasn't been looked at yet and us awaiting examination. I was also told that realistically the application probably won't get looked for another 2 weeks and that waiting times are currently 4-5 weeks for renewals. And apparently they're been telling people first passports can take upto 6/7 weeks especially if they decide to contact countersigner

nikki1391 · 21/05/2014 20:57

You can upgrade application if you travel within 1-2 weeks I believe but not sure if you need to have the bar code to do that as I know they're very fussy about dealing with applications without the bar code being provided. To be honest though I think you will be ok but may be cutting it fine by the looks of things they probably won't look at yours until mid June

Original poster
SirChenjin · 21/05/2014 22:19

So if I don't get it back in time could I make an appointment to go to Glasgow (my nearest passport office) and get one there on the day - or once it's in the system is it not possible to apply for another one?

We can't just delay our travel plans - it's our family holiday. I was convinced that I had more time on the passport but when I was checking everything I realised that it had expired. Their website is still claiming 3 weeks to process Hmm

OP posts:
uptheauntie · 21/05/2014 22:20

I did my application online and sent the signed bits to Glasgow, quick turnaround. Might be worth trying them?

Original poster
SirChenjin · 21/05/2014 22:23

Thing is I've already sent the renewal off to Durham (without thinking to take a note of the reference number - bugger).

OP posts:
uptheauntie · 21/05/2014 22:26

Sorry sorry didn't notice you didn't have passport number. We got a text telling us when it was being printed, did you elect to get updates?

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 21/05/2014 22:29

I think that if you have sent the renewal to Durham, you would have to go to Durham if you end up needing to go anywhere.

Unfortunately, Durham is the office with the backlog! That said, I applied for new passports for DH, DS1, DS2 & DD back in January & all but DS1's were back within the three weeks stated. DS1's took 3 months though - all because he had slight red-eye on his photo & it took them two whole months to produce a letter telling us we needed to resubmit a countersigned photo!

Hopefully you should be fine if it is a straightforward renewal.

Original poster
SirChenjin · 21/05/2014 22:30

Oh god - I don't know, I really can't recall seeing that option on the form. I put both my mobile and my landline nos though

I don't mind going through to Glasgow if needed, and paying more, but I'm just trying to find out if they will allow me to do that if there is already a passport in process.

OP posts:
SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 21/05/2014 22:44

I'm pretty sure it's a case of you will get updates if you provide a mobile number.

nikki1391 · 22/05/2014 06:21

I put my mobile and land lane and didn't get a text to say they received it...I called up a week after I sent it and they confirmed they got it 4 days after I posted it

wigglesrock · 22/05/2014 06:47

No, I don't believe you can have 2 seperate applications in at the same time for the same person.

Original poster
SirChenjin · 22/05/2014 08:37

So if it doesn't arrive in time because it's still being processed at Durham there is simply nothing I can do??

I'm only going across the Channel to Normandy on the ferry!

OP posts:
Original poster
SirChenjin · 22/05/2014 15:45

Got through to the call centre on the 0300 number (eventually...)

I've been advised that I should have taken a note of the reference number (lesson learned the hard way), and as I don't have it I have to call back on the 27th May. They will send an email through (not quite sure to whom...) requesting the reference number be emailed or sent to me.

Once I have that (which should take 48hrs) then I can call on the 31st May for a progress update. I can then request an upgrade, but this is not guaranteed - it has to go for approval to the upgrade team.

The chap today didn't seem to think there would be a problem getting my passport in time - but until it's in my hand I won't be happy. The whole process seems unbelievably complicated - and I'm only bloody going to Normandy for 10 days!!

OP posts:
magentastardust · 22/05/2014 22:32

Are you in Scotland Sir Chejin -does it not automatically go to Glasgow?

We were a 2.5/3 week turn around (but at Glasgow) but did receive texts to say when they had received it and then when it was being printed. We received 2-3 days after text about being printed and money being taken from our account.

Hope you get it in time.

Original poster
SirChenjin · 23/05/2014 07:57

I don't think so - I sent it recorded delivery and it's showing on the Royal Mail website as being signed for in Durham.

OP posts:
lucylucylu238 · 28/05/2014 03:00

I sent my daughters application on the 24 April and I didn't take the bar code down and my passport went to durham too the 0300 number is rubbish try calling this number 0845 601 5175 you have to just give them post code and some security questions and you can find out the progress my problem was that they wrote to the person who countersign my daughters passport but she didn't receive no letter so they have sent her another one not traveling till end of July so hopefully I'm not in the danger zone yet.

Sleepyfergus · 28/05/2014 05:35

I'm freaking out now. DH sent renewal in 2 weeks ago (or thereabouts) via PO Check and Send. We fly 2 in 2 weeks time. We're in Edinburgh so I'm guessing his app went to Glasgow. I'll be digging out the barcode first thing and getting him to follow up to see what's what.

I checked the passports in a whim at the time and couldn't believe it when I saw his expired this month. Glad i did though rather than finding out now although all the passport threadbare make me slightly panicky.....Shock

Amzymc2 · 29/05/2014 09:36

I can't tell you all your passports will be with you in time but I can tell you my story of how I got my daughters! A lot of stress travelling phoning and debating! I sent my two diahhriea passports via check and send the 22nd of April was promised by the post office that this service is very reliable and will be back within three weeks! However I did not recieve a text message from the passport office saying they recived the forms until the 6th of may! I think they wait until there is a big pile of passports before sending! It's a wate of time and money! Anyway I waited until the 16th of may and asked to track m passports to find out they haven't been printed and won't be as there is an eight week back log! And all the new applications just get dumped on a shelf and left! I asked for an upgrade and was promised a call back 48 hours went by no call back asked for another call back 48 passed again no call back baring in mind were waisting our time calling as I phoned atleaste 100 times the 0300 number which is a waste of time! You will never get through to Durham and the number wee need to upgrade the passports are withheld to us! I had my mp contact Durham and demand they prioritise the passports because they had them over the promised time scale and they were lied to also and supposably I was getting a call back Friday the 23rd no call. I packed my things and traveled to Durham from Edinburgh Sunday to go early monday(bank Holliday) Durham office were horrible! The manager turned to me and said we have hundreds of people asking for a call back thousands who send on applications doesn't mean we are going to give you yours your just a casual caller and we are not open to casual callers! I explained I was promise call backs 7 call back requests a complaint and faxes and nothing! I told them I was traveling the day after as if I said I'm not traveling until next week they wouldn't of helped me! I begged and pleaded and the woman was cold and heartless I phoned my mp again and the 0300 number again I sat there refusing to move with my two daughters saying they promised us a service and failed me that they would have to fix it three hours went by I was til I would be chucked out of I didn't stop going to the desk but I persevered! I eventually got the upgrade tem manager from Durham and was told to collect an hour and a half later! I burst in to tears and the upgrade was free as it was there error!!! I hope this helps someone! Go to the office direct it's the only way!

Amzymc2 · 29/05/2014 09:40

Daughters not diahhria and most passports get sent to Durham from Edinburgh! X

Amzymc2 · 29/05/2014 09:43

Don't trust the regional call centres they don't inform you of the back log or of the passports not being printed on time because it's easier for them! Arrange collection or an upgrade don't leave it til it's to late! A price of an upgrade is a small price compared to a new Holliday!

lucylucylu238 · 29/05/2014 10:17

Just called the 0845 number they said my daughters passport is being printed and I should get it by Monday in so happy let's see if I do get it because on my last post I said they was writing to the countersign person she didn't receive nothing but they have printed her passport now oh and when I called the 0845 number they asked me i shouldn't call it again and we're did I get the number from loool I told her look you have had my passport since April I have no barcode 0300 was third party crap cant tell me no information because of no barcode so why should I call them on Tuesday the women I spoke to on this number said I can call this number she didn't even respond she just said what's your post code lool rude cow lol

BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 29/05/2014 14:42

If you're only going on a ferry across the channel, you could ask if any other form of ID would be acceptable.

specialsubject · 29/05/2014 15:27

it won't be. British citizens can only cross borders with a passport, we have no other form of accepted ID.

and those being rude to the people trying to do their jobs - you are not helping your cause or anyone else's. The service is heavily underfunded now.