Passport processing time 2

[sunshinehopeful]

Since the last thread (www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_advice_tips/a2043055-Passport-Processing-Time) is now full I though we could continue our discussions here!

Well, I got through quickly this time to 0300 number. Its being processed... I knew that from the website. But she said renewals can take 3 to 4 weeks. They received it in Belfast on 3rd June so Im still with in the time lines. Just have to wait and see. Other offices seem to be processing them quicker than Belfast. I will call BElfast direct next tuesday!

Does anyone know the various stages to getting child's first passport. I've been told it's in the waiting for examination stage. Does this mean, in a big pile on a floor or something further along?

Bozzie sadly, I think "being processed" is code for "yes, it's here, no, no-one has looked at it". When someone is actually looking at it I think they say "It's with the examiner".

Mind you, I think that the 0300 helpline can be a bit behind with developments. People seem to get a clearer picture if they speak direct to the Passport Office. Might be worth a go? (If you haven't got anything better to do than listen to a recorded message for 20 minutes!) They told me they're working on 2 June applications, hopefully 3 June ones won't be too far behind?

Let me know what they say on Tuesday anyway, as your application should be two days ahead of mine.

Just tried to ring Durham on 0845 601 5175 to chase my application up with is now been over 4 weeks and it's saying the number is no longer available??? Anyone else got a number for Durham?

My dad's just tried that this afternoon. Was ringing once and going dead

Be11e it's in a box in a pile of boxes waiting.

I'm supposed to he getting a call from upgrades about paying for fast track but have had nothing yet.

Keep trying the number I've just tried again and got through after 5mins on hold which was pretty good compared to the 2 hour wait last week! Even though they recieved mine and my husbands on the 29th may there currently doing applications that was recieved on the 10th may she said so give it another week before they get to ours!!! I think it's pretty bad!!! I've read on here ppl who sent there's start of June and have had them bk already!!! I'd love to know how there system is working right now!!!!! I'm fuming!

I,ve been watching this thread for a week now and trying not to panic. 2 passports where sent to be renewed on 26th May. I have just checked our bank statements and only one cheque has been cashed on the 6th June. Does that mean the other cheque hasn't been cashed therefore the other passport is not being processed? Both were sent to Belfast. Any advice would be gratefully received.

Sunnybank10 I've give them a call and check it out! Just for peace of mind :-) x

I have just emailed Paul Pugh again complaining! Let's see if he gets back to me this time! Sorry to keep on people but I'm so annoyed!

Relieved to say that our child renewal passport arrived today. Timeline as follows:

Tue 27 May - posted via special delivery
Wed 28 May - received and signed for in Glasgow

Started chasing on the helpline after about 2 weeks. Got nowhere.

After 3.5 weeks (Sat 21st June) I emailed CEO and our MP just asking for someone to tell me everything was "okay".

On Monday 23rd, MP responded to say she'd spoken to them and the case was marked as urgent, and to wait until Monday 30th before chasing again. We don't travel until 11th July, so that was okay.

Wed 25th - Glasgow office call to query a minor spelling mistake on application form (in middle name of child) - but they were happy to re-issue based on the name they had on the system from the previous passport (thumbs up for common sense). Said passport would be "issued" and to allow 3-5 days for delivery.

Thu 26th - passport arrived.

So, all in, 4 weeks and 1 day from date the documents were delivered.

vinoandbrie the person I spoke to from DX couriers said they are allowed to post thru the door in some areas but not all - very strange!

The stress of this passport business is actually making me ill. I sent my daughter's 3rd renewal in on 7th June, arrived in Peterborough on 12 June. Since then I've been told it's going through the examination process which it has been doing for the last two weeks. I assume this means that it's in the queue but no one has actually looked at it.

I spoke to a very nice lady on the advice line today who said that she would expect it to be in the examination process for most of the time as the printing process is very quick. She said that it's 3 weeks from when they receive it and that hopefully I should get the passport by next Wednesday. She advised me to call back if I don't have it by next Wednesday and they would then request a call back from the Peterborough office to discuss what's happening. My counter signatory has not been contacted and neither have I. She seemed to think this meant that everything was going through Ok but I have my doubts. I think it means no one has even looked at it yet.

I can't sleep and today I've been sick with the worry that I might not get my daughter's passport back in time. I applied with 9 weeks of leeway, foolishly believing the passport office who said that it was 3 weeks to get a renewal. In fact I made the application 2 days before all this hit the press. If I'd applied 2 days later I'd have gone for check and send or... not applied at all as my daughter's passport is still valid till Oct. I could kick myself for not checking whether we needed to renew it or not.

We are travelling in August so there is still time but had I known there was a possibility that this would happen, I would never have applied for it now.

I don't know what to do now.

Anyone got the number for liverpool, and know if they answer out with 9-5 office hours?

Talea when are you travelling in August? You should be fine I'm sure, yours arrived the day before mine, they're not looking at mine for about 3 weeks (if I don't fast track) so yours is likely to be the same. It's quicker the other side of the process, so I imagine the latest you'll get yours back is end of July / early August.

I'm not taking the risk and will be fast tracking when I can! But that's because I need my passport 1st August.

I have learnt my lesson through this and that is no holiday unless I have full uptodate passports.

I received no calls from the upgrades department today like the lady from Belfast said we should. It was to take a payment so I still don't know if we have to pay or not.

Just email [email protected] hes the CEO worked for me and others its the best advice I could give anyone

chocchoc30 snap on both counts, waiting since Sunday for that call! and I won't be doing this again!

I just find it strange that mine and my husbands were back after 2 1/2 weeks. I know they were both renewals but they were pretty quick.

Hulababy it's strange you should say that about your parents' passports because I'm in Yorkshire and the Post Office check and send sent DS's renewal to Durham. I phoned the advice line last weekend and was told it would be with us by Weds (yesterday). I then had a text on Tuesday saying it was being printed and would be with us in the next few working days, which seemed correct after what the advice line said. Now, I'd also emailed them last weekend and got a reply yesterday saying the application was going through the application process at Belfast. No mention that it was being printed. Today I got home from work to find DS's old passport has been returned but no sign of his new one.

Wtf?!

Just realised DS2 passport will expire before we travel on 30 July! Argh!

It seems risky to send off his renewal in the post even by Check & Send. Once "in the system" it seems to be hard to then escalate.

Thinking of making an appointment and the journey to London Passport Centre and paying for a Fast Track service which should take a week. Do you think this is the best course of action?

girlynut - 100% worth paying for fast track, make an appointment soon though as some people are waiting up to three weeks for a slot

If I was u girlynut I'd do fast track now I wouldn't want too take the risk and not have it bk in time. X

Just a renewal; did nothing more than complete the application form; couple of photos and the cheque. New passport arrived three weeks to the day. Also got a nice email from the passport customer service in answer to my query to let me know my passport was being processed. what more could you ask.
the politicians maybe useless but it appears the guys on the ground are doing OK.

I always tried the phone number with no response but emailing them seemed fine.

What does fast track (for child's first passport) involve? Dies it always involve going to a passport office?