How long are passports taking?

[threeleg]

I'm due to go to the states at the beginning of April and have just damaged my passport. The luggage tag thing they give you when checking in (the sticky end off the one they wrap around your suitcase) from my last flight was stuck into the 'observations' page of the passport and as I've tried to remove it it has torn off the top of the paper. I'm worrying it's not going to go down well at immigration and so wondering if I have time to get a new passport in time

I know I can go for an urgent appointment, but it's double the cost and I could do without that. Has anyone recently got a new passport and can tell me how long it took - am concerned brexit nonsense could be slowing things down... thanks!

Yesterday was the deadline for getting passports renewed pre Brexit as I understand it, no idea what the turnaround d times will be like though.

Just got 2 passports for DC and they took less than 3 weeks.

DH and I renewed ours in the middle of Feb and they were back within a week. I've just sent DS1&2s off. I am sure it will take longer this time as everyone is going to rush to renew them before brexit.

I think I'd book an appointment for that. Sorry.

Second booking an appointment for that, the website crashed a few days ago because of the amount of people renewing online.
Once you send off to do it you have no guarantee it will be back in time...

Thanks guys - I've booked an appointment

I think things are moving very fast at the moment! I sent DD2's passport off for renewal (child) last week - it arrived at the passport office on Thursday (I sent it special delivery so could track it) and I've just had a text today, Tuesday, saying the new passport will be delivered within the next couple of working days!

threeleg Hope you get your passport in time for your trip.

Recently renewed mine including a name change took less than a week. Confirmation type emails were all sent after 8pm made me think they have people on overtime.
I was v impressed with the online service!

And is it true that 'extra' months are being wiped? So if you have 5 months left on it now, and renew it now, you lose those months?

TwitterQueen1 Yes, that's right. DD2's had 5 months left and these won't have been added on to her new passport. I just wanted to get it renewed now in case of any potential Brexit issues with needing 6 months left after date of travel etc.

Forgot to say, I did DD2's passport using the online service, then just had to post the declaration form with the counter-signed photo etc.

Just did an application for my newborn, thought it would take ages as it’s a first passport and his dad is not a citizen ( I am). Sent Monday, text Saturday saying it’s in its way back to us

Twitter. Yes, you get 10 (or 5) years from the date of issue now. So the effective lifetime is down to 9.5 (and 4.5) years if you actually want to travel.
Gutted at all these short times. Ours took 2 MONTHS at the start of the year. So, even if the average is quick, there is nothing stopping a delay!

Thanks all. It's a bit of a swiz really - we always used to get the months added on ..

I went to my appointment yesterday and will apparently have my new passport by next Monday. In the end it was just too much of a risk sending it off, although it sounds like things are moving fast - presumably they passport service have anticipated a lot of extra work.

It was quite frustrating as that passport was only 18 months old - the luggage tag that damaged it was actually from the first trip I took!!! I'll be watching the check in folks and asking them not to stick them on gang page again - it cost me £142 for a new passport

asking* them not to stick on that* page

DD renewed hers online on March 4th and they delivered it yesterday.