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!

Good news story: adult & child renewal sent 2nd July (last Wed) - received TODAY! I was in shock!

Good news for you. DD's request for fast track was turned down today as her passport had been lost. She has missed one holiday, and may lose a second. Where were yours sent?

So it's been examined and approved, should be posted by friday and with us by tues. not out of the woods yet but definitely worth ringing up and asking before the 7 days before you travel period is upon you!

Been watching this thread everyday as was beginning to panic that I wouldn't receive my passport in time as travel on 26th July. Have contacted my MP and Paul Pugh this morning so hopefully they can help me as it's been just over 3 weeks now. Fingers crossed.

Greyvix I don't know where it was sent. I only posted to give others hope not to show off. How can they do some so quick but not others? I wasn't fast-track or anything, sent it 1st class recorded though.

Is that a first passport or renewal Sunshine?

It's a renewal for myself, can't fault the lovely lady who I spoke to at the passport office but I was frustrated when she said I would have to wait till the 17th before they could fast track it as that's a week before we travel. I need to renew my esta too before travelling and can't do that without new passport.

What's an esta?

I'm travelling to America so need an Esta to travel, it's like a visa it just gives me permission to enter the US.

I've been watching this thread for a few weeks. Daughters first passport was submitted on the 5th June, received at Liverpool 7th.
We travel on the 24th July. When I contacted the passport office prior it submission I was advised it should take 3 week. I thought 6+ weeks was plenty of time.

I've rang repeatedly only to be told it's in examination, which could mean anything.
Now contacted MP, who rang yesterday to say they would be contacting passport office for me.
I phoned 0300 number on Monday and asked to be upgraded. They rang back today (when I'd nipped out for 5 mins and didn't have ref number), and told me to ring back in a few days to see if it was in print and if not I should request fast track?!
I was a bit puzzled by this, as that's what I thought I'd done on Monday!! So I rang back and requested track again.
I was advised they'd call me back up the fast track team but that 'they were very busy processing applications with less than 1 week to travel' and that I may not get a call back from the escalation team if they didn't deem it urgent enough!

I feel sick. Hoping MP can get things sorted. Otherwise it's panic stations next week!

crabwoman contact your MP again and also email Paul Pugh. I can't remember his email address but it's on google. Others on here have done that and have found his PA to be very helpful.

Good luck, hope you get your passport soon.

Thanks talea. That is my next plan of attack. Will cc the home sec I as well - you never know it may help! Is it even worth trying to phone Liverpool office directly? I've been told they're not picking up any more.
My MP's aide seemed pretty on it too - he assured me they've dealt with a few cases like ours recently and they've all got theirs in time! Fingers crossed.....

Was just wondering the people who emailed Paul Pugh and there MP how long did you have to wait to hear back from them?

DD has been told she will get her passport on Friday- the day after her flights leave, but better than nothing, as hopefully it will be here in time for our family holiday.
It appears to be standard that they leave the fast track upgrades until the week of travel, so some are lucky and others are not.
The whole thing seems pretty hit and miss; I cannot understand why some passports take days and others weeks/ months. Reading about it, it was a disaster waiting to happen with changes in the law regarding renewals for overseas citizens compounded by the closing of the Newport office.

Sunshinesammy I emailed on a Thursday night and got a reply at 7.10 the next morning got the passports the following Tuesday. We live overseas too

Finally got a call from Belfast this morning. They are working on travel dates rather than when you submitted your application. So they are working on people who travel on 20-22 July today,23-25 tomorrow,25-27 Friday. They said mine would be done tomorrow,fingers crossed.

greyvix.... every application is different... even though a renewal is just a renewal to Joe Public, there are many reasons an application may be delayed.
There may be missing information or signatures ... there may be , queries regarding consent/PR which need establishing... and you would be amazed at how many people fill simple details in like DOB etc wrong! a fraud match could flag up on an application, meaning it has to be referred to the Fraud dept to be looked into... and invariably when we contact the countersigs, they take forever to reply! Its VERY frustrating for us ... all we want to do as examiners, is issue your passports for you!

Sent off via check and send for first child passport on June 6

Called 0300 number three times - it's in examination. Promised a call back. Heard nothing. Just emailed Paul Pugh and MP.

It's with Liverpool - does anyone have any number? The one I have which may be Liverpool just rings out.

We travel in 2 weeks so feeling very stressed

APotNoodlandaTommy I found these, I don't know if they are any good, haven't used them as my passport was at Peterborough.

0870 521 0410 or 0151 471 6387
also
0845 128 9988 or 0151 471 6176
0845 601 5107
0151 236 6292

Hopefully one of those might actually work.

Sunny, that would figure.

We are travelling mid August and told we would receive ours 30th July.

Also, do they phone counter signatories or mail.

Mine has gone on holiday

Thank you Talea I'll start mithering them

Straightforwarda, I realise that every case is different, and that mistakes slow things down. However, the posters on this thread have done everything by the book, followed guidance on time applications take, used check and send etc.
We may be Joe Public to you, but that doesn't stop us feeling frustrated when holidays are missed, with the associated emotional and financial cost.

DD received her passport at 5.30pm -12 hours before she was due to fly! I've only just recovered enough to update. The woman at Paul Pugh's office was wonderful and emailed DD back a few hours after getting her desperate email - this was at the weekend as well. Belfast rang within a few minutes of DD getting the email from Paul Pugh's office. I don't know why her passport was in Belfast as we live near Southampton! The MP's office rang first thing on Monday and they were also brilliant at chasing up the passport.

In the end, DD's passport was printed on Monday morning, flown over to Southampton airport where a courier was waiting to take it to us! DD was very, very, very happy!

When she emailed the MP and Paul Pugh's office she included her barcode, her name, phone number and I think address.

Great news. Paul Pugh's office seems to be the way to go, though too late for us!