Child passport renewal times

[Stickystickystick]

I think we've made a huge error. My son had just shy of 6 months left on his passport and we were due to travel to Spain on 22nd October. Having read the government advice it was stated he needed 6 months left on his passport. I sent off the application and old passport last week and have now read horror stories of passports taking at least 5 to 6 weeks. Has anyone renewed recently. I will be gutted if we can't travel. Apparently you can't switch to fast track services now either.

Thanks @NHSgirl. Your poor daughter - what a terribly stressful time for her and you. Hoping you get sorted as it sounds like a very well-deserved break for you all. Good luck everyone! x

Thought we were out of the woods as my daughters passport was printed and posted on Thursday but passport due to arrive on Monday but didn’t. TNT changed the delivery date to today last night, and now it’s changed to tomorrow. We fly Saturday and I don’t trust them not to change it again. TNT are awful. They don’t contact you at all, and are apparently awful to contact but I will try. I have heard of people picking up passports from offices instead - do this if you can! I wish I had

@Junip That is awful! For goodness sake, your nerves must be shattered. I wonder why they are not using Royal Mail - so much better! Just when you think it can't get any worse....

Thanks @NanaRant, I could definitely do without the added stress! Any news on yours today?

I managed to speak to someone this morning. Apparently they couldn’t find my house yesterday . Every other courier has managed to find it so I find that odd.

She said that the passport office never send child passports by a quick service as child’s travel is never classed as urgent. She also said that they don’t get your phone number from the passport office due to data protection but if you call them they can add it for the driver, definitely worth doing if you’re waiting to travel. She’s added mine so hopefully this will avoid any issues when it is delivered (hopefully Wednesday!)

Oh god I feel the pain. We scraped by to Greece in July with 5.5 months in my sons passport. Jet2 only acknowledged the week we went that that would be acceptable and for god knows what reason I didn't get around to sending it off the minute we got back, distracted with work, life etc. Finally sent it early Sept online and Royal Mail took bloody ages to deliver old passport to them (despite my paying for secure next day). Anyway it's still saying 'old passport received, we'll update when new one is ready or we have questions' and we are due to go to Holland on 24th for half term 😱😱

And 5 weeks takes us over. I'm so cross at myself (and DH mind you, he was just as aware!) but I knew we'd have trouble with travelling to Holland with a short passport, they're also so thorough so I didn't want to risk it and yet now I have no passport

Just rang the number shown further up and got a lovely lady but she said she would encourage me to 'manage my expectations'. Could have avoided all of this if I'd only been a bit More bloody organised 😱

Try not to beat yourself up about it @MiniCooperLover, I don’t think we could have predicted how slow and painful this could be. Sounds like you’re on a similar timeline to me and mine technically should arrive in time. Fingers crossed yours will be approved soon

Don't give up hope everyone and keep badgering them on the phone. Today I had a call from the office and my sons passport has been approved and will be here in time for travel next week. I phoned yesterday and pleaded with them about having it in time for travel. And as if by magic today it was approved. I hope you all get yours in time. I won't be 100 percent happy until it's in my hands but looking more likely

Hi @Stickystickystick when were your documented received pls and what office? Xx

Can I but in and be selfish and ask a question

Decided last minute to maybe have a few days abroad. However, realised one of DC passports needs renewing.
Have I got any hope if applying today and getting it back in time.
Looking to travel 24th oct onwards ish

You won't get a passport back inside three weeks at the moment, and on my experience 6 weeks is more likely. HMPO is saying up to 10 weeks possible (TNT delivery time on top). So no -don't plan to travel this month!

@stickystickystick that is super news!!

I can add to that as I also got a phone call at 7.30pm last night following up on my last phone call a few days ago where I asked if they could try their upmost to get the passports done in time for our holiday. The chap on the phone was really lovely, and shortly after the phone call both passports were approved!
I know they still need to be printed and posted but I am definitely more hopeful of getting it in time now.

ps: this was the Belfast branch

@NHSgirl 1st October at Durham so feel I've jumped the queue somehow. I was originally trying to cancel the application to get the old one back as it was still valid as thought that might be quicker but lo and behold it's been approved today. It's a total lottery

@Iusedtobecarmen even with fast track it's taking over a week at the moment so don't risk it

@Polly99
Im mad at myself now! You can pay for a fast track appointment
But it's in Belfast
I'm in England!!
I remember last time I renewed one on a deadline and I rang up and they said I could pay extra to fast track, although I didnt need to in the end.

@Stickystickystick pls don’t feel like that I’m really pleased it’s worked out for you. I hope you have a fabulous holiday xx

[quote Stickystickystick]@Iusedtobecarmen even with fast track it's taking over a week at the moment so don't risk it[/quote]
I might just order it in the normal way then and not book a holiday abroad

I can maybe go UK but I want some sun

My child renewal took 5 weeks, submitted end of August.

Yay @Stickystickystick so pleased for you!

Agree it makes a difference to speak to someone (or maybe the right person?!). Mine was approved quickly afterwards too.

Our tracking page is saying delivery tomorrow now and they’ve added a note with incorrect directions our house. Beyond stressful! We leave Friday night to fly on Saturday

I'm awaiting delivery too. Mine says it is out for delivery (as are supporting docs). Really hoping they arrive, preferably soon and not in the 20 mins this evening when I have to be out picking up DD...

I've just spoken to them and they said ours is unlikely to get to us on time for the flights we have booked - submitted the application on the 19th September, old passport received on the 23rd September, and due to fly on 23rd October.

DD's came back about 15 mins ago. Weirdly it was sent from Hayes despite me sending it to Belfast. Or perhaps it was sent from Belfast and the return address is different from the sender's address.

So much for it being signed for, the DHL man left it by my door, rang the doorbell and was off my drive by the time I opened the door.

I’ve just had another conversation with them the system now shows my passport docs received 12 October, it was received on 24 Sept. I spoke to someone yesterday and he was moving it to a manual system I am now at an absolute loss as I think it’s gone back to the start. Flying on17 is a no go but was hoping to pay £600 to move to 26 October - I just want to cry xx

@pingster have you tried phoning them? I think it does help and does depend who you get. This number seems to have a shorter wait time 0300 123 1973. Feel so bad for you. The stress is horrible.