Passport still not arrived traveling in 6 days

[Turnerjamy]

Hi Everyone!
I am new to mums net! I’m an avid watcher from the side line but have never posted. Here goes! As the title says my partner still has no passport on May 2nd we did an online renewal 4th of May we sent new photos etc! Since we received a letter asking for a statement to say why passport was damaged a counter signature for 2 more photos and a counter signer to complete section 10 of the form they had sent! Since this date I have rang almost daily requesting call backs upgrades fast tracks! 1- call back still hasn’t happened 2-can’t upgrade as the application is still “being processed” 3-to fast track I need to do a new application! I have also asked for an appointment in Liverpool to be told for an appointment my current application needs to be cancelled and a cancellation request could take 2 weeks?!?! Has anyone ever had any similar experiences? Can my partner just drive to Liverpool and beg to be seen and have current application cancelled there and then? I am completely at a loss! Not to sound dramatic but literally loosing sleep! Can’t focus and basically loosing my cool
Any help would be so appreciated
X

This is why they tell you to allow 6 weeks. They’re busy, especially at this time of year. They won’t fast track just because you didn’t apply in enough time.
Sorry, know it’s not the answer you wanted.

No you can't just drive to Liverpool to beg to be seen, everyone there is seen by appointment.

This is why you are told 6 weeks, May is a busy time.

Before I applied online I called the passport office and a specific lady “Rebecca” Advised me tha adult renewal would be within the 3 week timescale and I could dastvrack once the application had been processed so firstly I agree it wasn’t done in great time but it was done with timescales provided by a passport office representative secondly the passport wasn’t renewed before hand as he still has just over 5 months on he’s current passport but to our place of travel requires 6 months and this trip was only booked on the 24th of april

I'm not sure what to suggest but you will not get into the passport office without an appointment. There is security on the door that check that you have an appointment.

I’m totally at a loss! I have tried on several occasions the “your advisor Rebecca told me...Can you get someone to listen to the call” but you just get a blunt no and she advised you wrong. I have tried complaining and asked to speak to senior members of staff but again it’s a blunt NO.

I don't think there's anything anyone can suggest, you won't get the passport in time and you can't just turn up. Even if Rebecca advised you wrong they won't push you to the front of the queue, especially when all this information is available to you online.

Have you tracked the application online using your application code? That is quite quick to see the status and any actions.

It’s states all over the internet passport renewal takes 3 weeks! That is the timescale stayed online!! Is it not highly unreasonable of them not to abide by there own timescales

Can you change your dates of travel? Or go by yourself and dp meet you? I've been in the same boat but with issues with a one week fast track. They did sort it out right at the last moment, but only because I had paid extra for the fast track. I made alternative arrangements for a friend to take DC away by then although luckily didn't have to go through with that. don't think there's much you can do apart from keep ringing. And accept that your DH may not be able to travel yet and make alternative plans. I'm sorry. I know how shit it is.

Hi at first we could track as we initially applied online but since the application was replaced by the countersigners for with 2 more photos the application log in will not comply

Hi Noqont at the moment my partner not coming along may be the only option I think I am holding onto a tiny bit of hope that it may all work out. We are going Florida and the cost of the extra flight would probably be out of the question as at the moment they are so expensive. I will continue to keep nagging in the meantime I have found a direct line phone number to Liverpool’s passport office I think I will try them in the morning every bit of advice counts I suppose

But surely the timescale is from the time they receive all the necessary information. If they've had to get back in touch with you to get people to countersign photos and complete forms (which, presumably, should have been completed correctly the first time round) then it's not just that they've taken 6 weeks because they're slow,it's because they haven't had all the info necessary to complete your application.

Sorry, I don't mean to sound harsh- I know it really sucks but I don't think it's as simple as them being totally in the wrong.

Hi sausage roll on the initial application online (we also ticked to say damaged as I had put it in the washer a couple of times) at the end of the application you print of a list and signature page it stated 2 recent photos (no countersigniture required) and my partners signature! We recived a paper application back asking for this to be completed this time with a counter signer and 2 more photos. We received this Friday 18th sent back Monday 21st via post office check and send

Yeah the three week time scale would have been if no additional info was required. The extra photos will be because the water damage has affected the current photo and therefore they need a new countersigned one as they can’t rely on comparison with the old.

Passports are a very serious business they can’t cut any corners.

Hi MyKingdomForBrie then I’m not quiet sure why they ask “is the passport damaged” for them to not ask for the countersigniture in the first place?

Fingers crossed for you turner that it works out. Keep nagging. 🤞

They do tell you not to book before you receive your passport

Sorry to throw a further spanner in the works but you do know he'll need a new esta don't you, with having a new passport number?

I'd just ring every day and ask nicely each time. You may get a sympathetic ear. Also, you could try your mp. They can sometimes apply pressure but I'm not sure on what grounds in this case but maybe worth a go?

The way things are now with travel to the states I wouldn't personally book before esta (and linked passport,) were in place. So many people are refused estas now

Because the damage might not be to the photo or might not be enough to necessitate establishing identity - this link explains

www.gov.uk/government/publications/damaged-and-faulty-passports/damaged-and-faulty-passports-policy

It’s very straightforward - someone could have stolen his passport, used the damage as a cover to substitute their picture and therefore end up with a ‘renewed’ passport for themselves with his identity and their picture.

As for what you can do - I really don’t think there is anything you can do at this stage. The passport is in the system with so many thousands of others and all the processes take time, like cancelling the application as it and the docs would need to be extracted from the queue. It still might come back in time.

What date do you fly?

Sorry just seen it says in the title!

How can you put a passport through the wash a couple of times?! 🙄. You don’t book tickets unless you have a valid passport. You’ll just have to wait...it’s the busiest time of the year so good luck.

How the passport was put in the washer really isn’t any concern is it!!!

I’m well aware of what damage means that exactly why I ticked damaged on the application! That link you posted still doesn’t explain why the waited 2 weeks to request further information

Didn't you return the damaged passport?