Passport supporting documents and updating system

[milkyjo]

Not sure if this is the right place to post so forgive me if its not!

DH sent off the declaration form and supporting documents I had printed out including birth certificate for DC3. He sent it through his franked post at his work (although I'd asked for recorded delivery!). Anyway it was well over a week ago and when I've tracked the progress online of the application it states waiting for applicant to send information. I've also received a letter in the post stating they have not received the declaration form etc. Now I am panicking thinking I'll need to now apply for a new birth certificate, get the countersignatory again and photos etc if they have been lost in the post. It also worries me that they may have been stolen and now DC3 has had their identity stolen!

So my question is, is there a delay between the Passport Office in Belfast receiving the documents and then updating the system? Or does someone open the envelope and immediately put it onto the system? Contact with the passport office just gives me the same standard advice that I can see online. I have about 4 weeks left before the application expires so I don't know whether to reapply for a new birth certificate now or to wait. We don't need the passport until the end of August.

Thank you if anyone has any insight!

They are really disorganised. I also received the letter even though I had already sent off my declaration form. The letter even gave a different return address and a different number of days for the deadline (80 rather than 90) than the original application did.

It was all fine anyway and they had received it just fine. I have my passport now too.

Now you just have to watch out for DX Delivery, who have the contract to supposedly deliver your passport when it comes. If my experience is anything to go by, they'll tell you it will arrive on a certain day, you'll wait in all day, and they won't turn up! Easier to go and pick it up at a passport office if you can!

Thank you. Yes I remember it said 90 days and the letter says 80. I might leave it another week before getting a new bc. But think we will lose the passport fee as well as forking out for new bc! It's the second time I've been stressed about getting a passport. DC2 passport was involved in the huge backlog issues they has a few years ago. We phoned every day and were told something different each time.

I honestly think it's likely to be fine. Give them a call in a few days just to check.