Urgent passport renewal - have you used an agency?

[IslingtonMam]

I need to renew urgently my child's passport, but the first Fast Track service is available in 3 weeks in Belfast! I need to go to see a sick relative abroad during school holidays.
Has anyone used an agency that offers 1 day/1 week service that is not a scam? please share a name and contact.
Thank you!

I dont think any will do it any faster than the official route

You can only use the one day service for an adult passport. Any agency will not be able to get you a renewal appointment any faster. The only thing I can suggest is keep checking for appointments for the one week fast track as cancellations may occur.

If you renew online and theres no complications it can be pretty quick. My two were back in 9 and 11 days. Agencies wont be qble to speed the process up.

@Nootkah - can I ask when this was please? I'm awaiting a child's renewal that I did digitally at the PO.It was submitted late Sat 24 July and we travel on Friday. V anxious.

@Amarula14 It was a while ago Im sorry so probably not helpful for now. Did you do check and send at the post office? Thats different to doing it all online. All online is quickest.

I can't see how these agencies can skip the queues...

@Nootkah it's all done together now - new system at certain PO of digital application combined with check and send. So includes digital photos. No paperwork needed for my child's renewal, so very quick and efficient. Still doesn't make the wait any less worrying though.

My DP's passport was stolen one weekend, a Saturday, and we had a replacement by the following Thursday, ie 5 days later. Submitted application online and booked an appointment at the Victoria passport office and I went to collect on the Thursday. A pain but very straightforward. Can't remember if there was an additional charge or not.

Thank you, all, I applied for Fast track and was checking the availability all the time and came with an appointment in London in 4 days, 7.45am but who cares.
Now that I need to fill in paper form, can I use my own photos or have to go somewhere to have them taken? Please advise.
Thank you!

i used the fast track service last week at victoria, and hoping I get my daughters passport this week, as we already had tickets for this coming weekend booked. Has anyone else used the 1 week fast track service as well before? what are the turn around times?