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!

I've emailed Paul Pugh's office this morning as it's 5 weeks since I sent DD2 & DD3's passports for renewal - I applied online.

I feel that as I'd followed advice and haven't actually booked a holiday yet I am now being penalised for following that advice.
I can't fast track as we don't have flights and as we had to send them to Belfast where they are prioritising people who already have travel booked (even though you're advised not to book until you have passport!

At this rate I won't be able to take my girls away in the school holidays

Does anyone know if the counter signatory is always contacted in first child applications? DH has just spoken with ours and she has not had any correspondence from the passport office. Now panicking even more .

I've been following this thread for the last 3 weeks as it seems to be the most helpful place online and I thought that I'd give you an update.

We travel on 19 July and I applied for DD renewal by check & send on 13 June (just after all the news broke about the delays so knew the system was going to be even worse at that time). I did not get a text from the Passport Office until 23 June saying that it had been received! That's when I started to get concerned as it had taken 10 days just to get that far. I waited until 4 July (exactly 3 weeks after the Post Office got the application and called the Passport helpline. They said that it was awaiting examination at Peterborough and could be fast-tracked a week before travel - told to wait until then.

I then emailed both Paul Pugh's office and my MP with copy of Post Office receipt and airline receipt showing travel dates. 10 minutes later I got an email back from MP's assistant saying that she had rung the Passport Office, it was still awaiting examination and that she would apply for fast-track on my behalf a week before travel. She was very confident that if she did this that there would be no problem. I have yet to hear back from Paul Pugh's office!

I called Passport Office yesterday to see if there was any progress (there wasn't) and told to call back Saturday to request fast-track. The guy was exceedingly helpful, knew what he was talking about and very reassuring in that we would get it on time. Very similar to the first time I called - that lady then was exactly the same.

I have just received text saying that it's gone for printing and should get it in 2 days - which is 3 weeks after Passport Office received it, although took an additional 10 days through check & send.

I can almost relax - it can't take over a week to get to me - can it!!!

never recieved my call back from Liverpool yesterday, rang this morning promised a high priority call back in the next 6 hours, called back 7 hours later was told that they wouldn't have said that I'd need to wait 48 hours for a call back if I requested it today, explained I'd actually asked for a call back back on the 8th was told that even if I did get a call back they'd just tell me that they were in examination which is all they can see, said that in his opinion not everyone I spoke to thus far would give me the wrong information and that they would not be able to do anything until 7 days before we travel anyway. Absolutely fuming, he had a stinking attitude, and I'm so cross with myself for losing my temper! He did basically call me a liar though and listen to nothing I had to say.
I'll ring again tomorrow to request a call back, the one I requested on the 8th...

Arghhh I'm finding this all so frustrating and stressful.
After reading this forum there seems no methodical way Liverpool are dealing with passport applications!!
I applied for a basic renewal for a name change in May, they received it and took money 9th June and I'm yet to get my passport. I'm travelling on the 18th July, I'm now at the stage where I'm meant to wait for a call back from Liverpool to confirm or not if I can get a fast track upgrade! I'm willing to pay, I don't care, I just want my passport back in my hands!!
I've seen people that have sent off the same type of renewal later than myself and for later travel and they've received theirs, so where am I going wrong??
Does anyone know if they include the weekend in the 48 hour call back? I will be calling them again Sunday but will also try to call Liverpool direct tomorrow!
I've emailed my local MP but not holding out hope there, just praying I can go on hols. My hubby is now forces and only comes home this week from a 6 month tour so this holiday is so important in so many ways, I don't want to be waving him and our little boy off on their own :(

I've been waiting for a 48 hour call back for three days now mellytots, If you contact your MP directly they may be able to call them for you and sort the fast track on your behalf?

I personally don't expect to hear anything myself now until next week but I got the details of the last guy I spoke to who made me cry, and send it off to the MP in the hope my sheer frustration will have some weight. In saying that I don't travel for another 2 weeks.... hopefully... x

Thanks pushpins, I won't be trusting that 48 hour callback anyhow and will keep calling all over the weekend. I've contacted my MP, do you mean actually call them?
Yeah one of the guys I spoke today said he couldn't find my details??? I knew he was lying as I'd spoken to someone earlier, when I asked him to look again, he unwillingly agreed to then hung up on me..I was livid!!! I stupidly didn't remember his name!
I am meant to be going in 6 days and 2 of those days are the weekend so I'm praying for a miracle it seems :(

Quick update I received a call today from the passport agency and they have made a note on my application to have it fast tracked and told I will be called in the next 48 hours to arrange this. I'm feeling the very tiniest bit better than yesterday but I won't be happy until I have my passport in my hand.

Anyone who knows Belfast number? Tried to call 08456019031, 02890789464 lots of times but no success. Leaving in 5 days time & 0300 people just telling me to wait for call back in 24-48 hrs, same promises that never happened a week ago. Emailed MP & said waiting for countersignatory verification but countersignatory never received any letter:(Very. Stressed!!!:(

DD's passport is here! (sent June 11, fast-track agreed July 08). am beyond relieved. and will renew it in darkest january next time!

hoping everyone else gets sorted too!!

*Crabwoman", counter-signatories are not always contacted. I am a solicitor and have often signed passport forms but never been called.

We are just back from holidays and have another flight in four weeks. DD's passport expires in three weeks. Should I pay to fast-track?

I would definitely pay for a fast-track at this point. you will only get it for free if they have HAD your application for 3 weeks through no fault of your own and you are travelling within 7 days. I think the timescales just won't work for you and you should pay for a fast-track up front if possible......

I would pay for fast track - infact in the future I'm only going to do the one day service. It's way too stressful.
It's taken 6 weeks for my daughters first passport (got a phone call today to say it was being printed) and daily phone calls to MP, call centre etc.
My nephews first passport took 7 weeks and an equal amount of chasing.
I have a colleague who's daughters passport took 8+ weeks to arrive - thankfully she didn't need hers urgently.

Another tale of woe here!

Applied online for renewal with name change on 14th June and sent declaration form straight away.

Still no passport as yet, and I'm travelling next Wednesday so I rang the advice line and spoke to a helpful advisor who emailed Peterborough and asked for it to be fast tracked. Trouble is, he said they would call me within 24 hours but I'd need to make sure I picked up as they would only try once. Did my best but typically, I was teaching when they called so I missed it! Called advice line again,who sent another email, asking that they rang after 3.15. So now I wait again. Apparently giving me the number for Peterborough so I can call them is out of the question. Sigh.

Anyone who's been there/done it know why they need to call anyway? Can't they just get on with it??

Closer it's madness, I did get my phone call and all they did was got me to confirm my travel date (this Friday) and then said ok that's soon, I'll put a note on your application to be fast tracked, someone will call in 48 hours!!! Another call....got that one today and a lovely lady in Liverpool told me oh dear that's soon, I'll issue your passport today with a 48 delivery!! That's a total waste of 2 people calling, like you said why not cut out the middle man!!!
I hope you get your call soon, although it seems they are really leaving things to last minute!

You cannot get through to individual offices on the 0845 number. The only thing staff can do is to arrange a call back which unfortunately 9/10 times doesn't appear to be happening.

Call backs are actually 48 working hours and most people are being wrongly advised unfortunately :(

Waiting for a call back as promised by 0300 last Saturday & yesterday. Has emailed my MP & Paul Pugh's office as advised by successful applicants....

Hi new to the thread and travelling on Friday. They keep telling my DH that his passport has been sent to print and there is nothing more they can do??? Is this right. We sent the application via post office check and send on 12th June - still no passport.

We are really panicing now, as this is the trip of a lifetime and so worried in case DH doesn't get his passport back

Does anyone have any advice?

Gutted to be joining this thread. I applied online and sent off applications on 9th June, was a bit nervous as travelling 26th July and already booked flights.

Now panicking as still not got passports, we are away this weekend and meant to be travelling in 10 days :(

Ive been trying to get through to Belfast but line is constantly engaged, so have emailed our MP and Paul Pugh.

Fingers crossed for all of us we get our holidays...

Well ... I've just managed to get through to Peterborough after 20mins on hold.
Spoke to someone who said they would fast track it (for £55! Thought they couldn't charge if they'd had the application longer than 3 weeks?!)
I've now got to wait for another call to let me know if it's all ok and being sent. Sounds similar to your conversations mellytots - let me know if it works out for you!

What was the number you used to call Peterborough? Really struggling to get any useful info from the helpline

Well quick update - having emailed Paul Pugh on Friday got a reply from someone (on his behalf) to say they are chasing it up and lo & behold checked online and my girls' passports are now showing as dispatched - hopefully will arrive soon and we can book our trip.

Thanks to MN and this thread with advice to email Paul Pugh

I used 08456015549 nickuk. All the time you're on hold it keeps saying 'this number is only to be used if you've had a letter from us' but I ignored it and got through to someone really helpful in the end.

Thanks I'll give that a try