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Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Holidays
Child passport renewal angst
goldendog · 04/07/2020 12:32
Until the bringing of last week the passport office was saying you should only apply in an emergency. The rules have now changed so I applied online 9 days ago for DC’s renewal. The old passport was received at the passport office 7 days ago (signed for) but it’s not yet been scanned on the system.
We have been offered a week in a friend’s house in France at the beginning of August. I’m happy to go via the Eurotunnel. But will the passport be here in time?! Has anyone else renewed recently? I’m feeling stressed that it won’t arrive in 4 weeks!
EwwSprouts · 04/07/2020 12:36
DS's online renewal was submitted beginning of April & new passport arrived mid-June. There were no queries on it. Sorry, not what you wanted to hear.
springlike · 04/07/2020 12:43
My DS's passport took 3 months from March to June. However, two friend's children, who both applied early June, got them back within 3 weeks. I think you will be fine as they seem to have now caught up.
May09Bump · 04/07/2020 12:43
My son's took 10 days to get scanned on - remember they are probably limiting staff and may only count work days as Mon-Friday. I got it yesterday - took two weeks total including a photo issue.
Pootle40 · 05/07/2020 14:47
HM passport office received my sons old passport on 11th June and txt me on Thursday 2nd July that his new passport had been dispatched. Although it's not arrived yet so hopefully tomorrow. Not much longer than normal I'd say
WrongKindOfFace · 05/07/2020 14:56
They have sped up a bit. They have crowd sourced waiting times here: twitter.com/passportwaiting?lang=en
peppapigonaloop · 05/07/2020 17:47
I just renewed two of my children’s I think it took 2-3 weeks from finishing the online application to the new ones arriving here
Sageadvice21 · 06/07/2020 19:31
Not quite the same but a new child's passport took just over 4 weeks for us, with identity being verified & supporting docs sent off the same day as the application was made! Applied at the beginning of mine & passport came back at the end of last week.
BrieAndChilli · 06/07/2020 19:34
It will probably depend on which passport office yours has been sent to (some may have staff shortages or not be able to fit as many staff in due to layout of building etc) obviously people can’t work from home issuing passports - massive security risk!!
FrancesV83 · 07/07/2020 18:09
Hi OP, I’m in the same boat as you! I have applied for both my sons passports on the 22nd June and they’ve received my documents (on Friday and Saturday) but not heard anything since. Due to go on holiday on the 22nd July.
goldendog · 08/07/2020 18:13
Thanks for the replies. It seems there’s a real variation in the time taken! I finally got a text today saying that the old passport has been scanned (11 days after it was received by the passport office).
Now keeping everything crossed for swift progress. I really feel for those of you in the same boat - it’s nerve wracking!
Mammawilson · 09/07/2020 18:13
I applied for my first adult passport and daughters first child passport 22nd of April and still waiting. Partner sent of his renewal around the same time and had that back in less then 3 weeks. I travel at the begining of August so i am very streesed at the moment
Shecanmoveinanydirection · 10/07/2020 14:32
Which passport office have the speedy people and the slow people sent their documents too? I have just sent mine to Glasgow and now waiting very nervously.
Sedona123 · 10/07/2020 17:05
My new passport was processed by Durham, and only took about a week. DS's was processed by Newport and took 6 weeks. Both sent off the same day.
FrancesV83 · 10/07/2020 19:07
My passport took 2 weeks and was processed in Durham, both my sons are currently being processed at Durham, just over 2 weeks so far. I’m due to travel on the 22nd. Not holding out much hope.
Shecanmoveinanydirection · 10/07/2020 19:46
Thank you! I can feel your pain. Hope it arrives soon.
1stMrsF · 11/07/2020 08:52
Received texts confirming receipt - took 6 days from delivery to Peterborough and 7 days from delivery to Durham. This happened on Wed/Thurs nothing since. I have now booked travel for 2 August so still biting my nails!
bettsbattenburg · 11/07/2020 08:58
I think they should add on unexpired time to new passports, that way it avoids the rush at peak or busy times like now.
mackerella · 11/07/2020 15:41
We sent off DD's to Peterborough on 16 June and it was printed on 1 July and returned a few days later. We didn't make any claims about urgency or anything, so we were pleasantly surprised by how quickly it was turned around!
lostinlego · 11/07/2020 15:48
Ours took a week to register at Peterborough, then 10 days more for it to be approved and sent so less than 3 weeks in total. That was the middle of June.
goldendog · 14/07/2020 09:55
A quick update! I was messaged yesterday saying that the passport application has been approved and sent for printing. So it’s taken 17 days from delivery of the old passport to get to this stage. Fingers crossed it will arrive in time for 1st August after all 
FrancesV83 · 14/07/2020 10:34
@goldendog Can I ask which passport office is dealing with yours?
goldendog · 14/07/2020 12:52
I sent mine to Peterborough. I don’t know whether they processed it though or if it was sent elsewhere. Have you tried calling the passport office helpline? I’ve read online elsewhere that some kind people at the passport office will add your travel date to your application. That seems to get things moving much more quickly. Failing that, you could message your MP and ask for their help. You must be feeling desperate!
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