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Original poster

Passport still not arrived traveling in 6 days

128 replies

Turnerjamy · 31/05/2018 00:23

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

OP posts:
TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 31/05/2018 08:42

The website is quite clear about timescales, including the fact that any problems will cause a delay, and it does advise not to book before receiving your new passport. I don’t think you can blame them. It may be that you have to prepare to go without your partner and just hope for the best. Six days is still quite a long time, but the ESTA could be a problem.

How long it takes
It should take 3 weeks to get your passport. Use a different service if you need it urgently.

It can take longer if more information is needed or your application hasn’t been filled in correctly.

Don’t book travel until you have a valid passport - doing so is at your own risk. Your new passport won’t have the same number as your old one.

Sugarhunnyicedtea · 31/05/2018 08:44

Even straightforward renewals are currently taking longer than 3 weeks. This is a really busy time of year. There's nothing you can do but hope that it arrives in time, but I imagine that is unlikely given that all of the required information was only sent a week ago

Original poster
Turnerjamy · 31/05/2018 08:44

Hi Almostthere15 yes he’s got to get a new etsa hopefully that could be processed pretty quick he has no criminal back ground etc. I actually read online regarding mp’s help so I emailed our local mp last night fingers crossed I hear from her today! Thankyou for your advice x

OP posts:
sausagerole · 31/05/2018 08:44

They don't process each passport immediately the day they receive it!

ArfArfBarf · 31/05/2018 08:46

Just for general information, you don’t need 6 months left on your passport to go to the US as a UK citizen.

However, they are very fussy about damaged passports so you were still right to try the renewal.

Fingers crossed it arrives in time.

NoSquirrels · 31/05/2018 08:46

All you can do is keep calling.

It’s unfortunate, but you have no redress - they’re following their procedures, which are for everyone’s benefit.

Fast track you would need to do a new application (I’ve been in a similar scenario) and even if you’d get the appointment in time I’m not sure it’ll help you - the damaged passport will surely be flagged and will cause a problem to get it back.

I’ve always found them really helpful if you approach it from the perspective of it being your own fault - not theirs!

So try being apologetic when you call next for information, and keep your fingers crossed.

Original poster
Turnerjamy · 31/05/2018 08:48

Hi ursulapandress yes we sent the damaged passport back on the 4th of May with the initial documents they required.they requested more (but took almost 2weeks to do so) this was sent back via post office the morning of 21/05/18 the chap told us it would be with them by the end of the day

OP posts:
BarbaraOcumbungles · 31/05/2018 08:49

Why would you book such an expensive holiday without a passport you could use?

NoSquirrels · 31/05/2018 08:50

Your MP won’t help!
From the Gov.uk website (my bold)

How long it takes
It should take 3 weeks to get your passport. Use a different service if you need it urgently.

It can take longer if more information is needed or your application hasn’t been filled in correctly.

Don’t book travel until you have a valid passport - doing so is at your own risk. Your new passport won’t have the same number as your old one.

Original poster
Turnerjamy · 31/05/2018 08:53

sausagerole thanks for that! I wasn’t aware you worked for the passport office Grin thanks again for your non helpful information

OP posts:
NoSquirrels · 31/05/2018 08:54

Lesson learnt - if you need to be sure and you’re in any doubt (which you should have been with a damaged twice-washed passport) then Check & Send at the Post Office would have sorted this on 4th May.

Honest to god - you’ll get a more sympathetic ear if you go to them sounding apologetic for being a hassle because you were foolish rather than angry because you think they’re wrong (they’re not!)

brittanyfairies · 31/05/2018 08:54

I recently applied for a new passport for my son, and in total from submitting the application online to receiving the new passport was 10 days. I'm also in France so probably a little longer in postal times. So maybe now they have all your paperwork in place it may arrive quickly.

I did also note that we needed it quite quickly because he needs it for ID in exams.

Prior to sending it in, I did have to lose a holiday though because it didn't have 6 months left. Only realised two days before departure, that was quite upsetting.

SeriousSass · 31/05/2018 08:58

.

MyKingdomForBrie · 31/05/2018 08:58

Well @turnerjamy you clearly aren’t aware as you asked why they didn’t ask for countersignatory in the first place and that link tells you exactly why - because they need to assess whether the damage affects the photograph and therefore identification!

They didn’t ‘wait’ two weeks it was in the queue to be processed and as soon as they looked at it they asked for extra info. They can turn them round same day so if it hadn’t been in the wash then three weeks would have been enough - process it after two weeks, print new and send out in third week.

You’re being obtuse about your mistakes and rude to any poster who’s answer isn’t ‘omg hun poor you those bastards’ - it’s your bloody fault!

Original poster
Turnerjamy · 31/05/2018 08:59

NoSquirrels like I said on numerous occasions I told them on the application that it was damaged!!!!!!!!! So please done tell me I should of been in doubt when I was the one that told them it was damaged in the 1st place and as a matter of fact the initial documents was done check and send on 4/5/18 and the documents and new from from the via check and send on 21/05/18 and lastly at what point have I stated I have got on the phone angry?! And NoSquirrels I don’t think that there representatives are wrong I know they are wrong!!!!! Please go away posting irrelevant information without ready what’s actually already been said in the conversation find a new topic to be a “know it all” about

OP posts:
Original poster
Turnerjamy · 31/05/2018 09:01

Well @Mykingdomforbrie your sympathy wouldn’t of saved my holiday neither does crappy comments! I asked for advice if you don’t have any your more thanks welcome to leave!!

OP posts:
greengardenchairs · 31/05/2018 09:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 31/05/2018 09:04

As it stands, you sent your completed application on 21st May. 3 weeks from then is 11th June. Of course, it may not be completed in that time frame. You just have to hope that it comes in time. I don't think keeping on calling them is going to help at all, there's others also in the queue who want their passports back.

Sugarhunnyicedtea · 31/05/2018 09:08

My advice would be not to speak to anybody at the passport office with the same attitude you have here.
If you used the post office check and send initially then they would have advised you that the photo is the one thing they can't guarantee.
No use to you now but with a damaged passport and such a short timescale I would have had the photos countersigned regardless and sent a full explanation of the damage with the application whether it was asked for or not.

QueenOfMyWorld · 31/05/2018 09:11

V strange,I had to send additional info for mine and the lady I spoke to who requested it was v helpful and told me to send the info for her attention.It was all bavk to me within 3 weeks

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 31/05/2018 09:13

If you’ve had the same attitude on the phone that you’ve had on this thread, I’m not surprised you aren’t getting anywhere.

This isn’t the Passport office’s fault, ultimately it’s yours. If you accept that and strop trying to make an issue over the wrong advice you were give you might start to get somewhere.

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 31/05/2018 09:16

Depends on the time of year Queen. This time of year is always busy.

NoSquirrels · 31/05/2018 09:17

Well, that’s told me! Good luck, OP. Hmm

LIZS · 31/05/2018 09:19

I asked last night about current timescales and most were reporting about 7-10 days turn around time for online applications. Maybe ticking the damaged box has triggered the issue.

SendYouUpinFlames · 31/05/2018 09:20

If you're using this attitude at HMPO then they're probably thinking cheeky bitch she can wait for her passportGrin

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