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

Fingers crossed you receive it back soon 🤞🏻

MPs offices usually aim to reply within 10 to 14 working days and they have huge amounts of correspondence to deal with, often on life threatening issues. I am not sure this should be the top of their in tray - as others have pointed out, it's your mistake.

Oh no @bustergonad that’s not good, who was you traveling with? At least it got sorted in the end our plan was try to re arrange he’s flight, we have just received a call back from the upgrades department and luckily they have fast tracked it to us should be here tomorrow or Saturday at the latest! It cost around £98 expensive but nothing really comparing to him missing the holiday or changing flights flights thankyou very much @sandrapanda Luckily we are all sort just in the nick of time! X

You can contact your MP. They have contact details for the passport office that aren’t available to the public. The passport office are a shambles especially given how expensive passports are, every year there’s some sort of crisis.

I work with HMPO. Please please look at your passport NOW and check you have plenty of time left. This is their busiest time and the lead time starts once everything has been received.

Even if you are within the 3 weeks there are no guarantees. HMPO make a lot of money from Fastrack services due to people forgetting to renew, losing their passport etc.

Going to check mine now (yet again!!)

I hate unfairness and you’re being unfair, simple.

Stop getting your knickers in a twist

We were with Qatar airways, we were living in Qatar at the time, my son's needed renewing and it cost £60 to post from Qatar, then a few months later my husband pipes up saying his needed doing so another £60 p&p when they could've gone off together!!!! So annoying!!!!!

Hi @BakedBeans47 I email last night to our local MP but have no response yet.. Your right the prices are through the roof i genuinely believe they leave you to the point of sheer desperation so that your willing to pay there “upgrade fees” Luckily passport is now on its way after lying and telling them we fly on the 5th not the 7th and paying almost £100 to have it here next day!
@BusterGonad it’s so frustrating isn’t it.. I can’t help feel it’s all on purpose so that They can charge you the earth.. They literally have you over a barrel

I don't think they do this on purpose to get you over a barrel. All you've done on here is moan over something that was in your control- check passports before booking a holiday as others have said already. Even now when you've been told it's on the way and you'll receive it in time you are still complaining. Do you not think that this is a really busy time at the passport office? It's not their problem that your partner uses his passport almost every day (why??) and that it keeps getting put in the washing machine.

When I got married and needed my passport asap I drove to Newport to get it, it was so easy, but obviously not everyone can take the time off work to do so, but it's well worth the additional cost.

They really really haven't done any of it to make a profit out of you.

You made a mistake, and it has cost you.

But there's no conspiracy.

@201805spring the facts online regarding people desperately paying whatever amount state otherwise according to the internet millions is made on passport updgrades fast tracks etc. If you have a problem with moaning why comment? Why get involved? @BusterGonad that’s lucky I tried to get a passport appointment in Liverpool but they couldn’t cancel current application in time.. Why is there not just a cancel button haha!

They literally have you over a barrel

You figuratively put yourself over a barrel.

I do think the costs of passports is extortionate, they do have you over a barrel because if you want to go abroad you HAVE to have one!

I bet it gets to you in time, DSs came through last week a week after sending it.

Turnerjamy if you give yourself enough time as in more than just the three weeks then they wouldnt have any one over a barell. Our kids were processed and new ones to us within twe weeks last year.

Two years ago they did take ages over ten weeks they'd had mine and my dh passports. When I called up and told them we were going away the next week they got them out to us within two days with no extra cost because theyd taken so long.

Seriously why would you write to your mp?! You could’ve fast tracked it in the first place. As for the barrel comment; no one forced you to go abroad! Just follow the rules and you won’t be disappointed!

@HateSummer I wrote to the mp because that is exactly what your local mp is for disputes settlements complaints etc that you are not able to get help with?! Certainly correct that no one forced me abroad but like I have said a million times I applied within the stated timescales what is the point in you now coming online with irrelevant comments like “no one forced you to go abroad” Give Over!!!!

@BusterGonad They definitely do have us over a barrel. Have you begging chasing and paying what ever price they pop up with as they know you are absolutely desperate to get to your destination! Hi @BettyPitts I actually had a call this from them this morning to upgrade the passport again at a cost (£98) after a weekend stress and a dent in my pocket we will get there in the end x

OP, I dont know where your husband travels too and how often he is away but might he be able to get a second passport. My husband has two. They are both British passports, it’s useful if he is applying for visas etc.

I do think the costs of passports is extortionate, they do have you over a barrel because if you want to go abroad you HAVE to have one!

You do all realise WHY you need a passport, eh? Security etc?

Not sure why anyone thinks it’d be cheap to issue!

OP - you've not told us who forced you to book this holiday before your DH had his received his new passport. If you didn't book under duress then your attitude towards the passport service is abysmal.

You have chosen to apply for a replacement at the busiest time of year.

Our ds2's needed renewing this year - we sent it off at the end of January and had it back within a week.

Perhaps planning a little further ahead next time would be a good idea.

Hi @Irksomeness it’s mainly throughout the uk but dependent on where he will usually fly! That’s really useful to know I will definitely be checking that out when we are home! Thankyou x

NoSquirrels of course I do, I'm not a buffoon, but £100 odd pounds is a lot of money.

Why do people think that telling the OP what she should have done is at all helpful? Do they think she has a time Machine?