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Original poster

Child passport renewal times

227 replies

Stickystickystick · 29/09/2021 12:42

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.

OP posts:
Original poster
Stickystickystick · 13/10/2021 11:21

@NHSgirl weirdly I also had another 'documents recieved' text on Monday and mine were received on 1st October. After this it said processing and today was approved so maybe hope for you?

OP posts:
pingster · 13/10/2021 13:28

Yes I phoned this morning and she said it would likely be another 3 weeks as hadn't even been allocated. But I've just had an email to say it's been approved and is being printed!! I think phoning must have worked

NHSgirl · 13/10/2021 13:42

Great news @pingster which office did you submit to x

pingster · 13/10/2021 13:45

I think it was the Glasgow office. Hope you get good news soon too!

Junip · 13/10/2021 14:13

Great news @pingster! Hope the delivery is quick for you

Original poster
Stickystickystick · 13/10/2021 14:42

@pingster such great news. Now the delivery fun for us both!

OP posts:
Original poster
Stickystickystick · 13/10/2021 16:22

Apparently mine will be delivered tomorrow?!

OP posts:
MiniCooperLover · 13/10/2021 16:31

That's great news. The lady I spoke to in Liverpool was so lovely but there was no budging her from her stock answer 🤷‍♀️

NHSgirl · 13/10/2021 17:10

So I’ve just had a text saying we’ve revived your old passport! The had already put on their timeline that they had revived my documents on 24 Sept I have abs no idea what’s happening!!

NanaRant · 13/10/2021 19:13

Just rearranged my holiday to January. I tried calling passport office again in a last gasp attempt, but no joy (woman was lovely though). I am feeling tearful but it is done. Just got to rearrange the airport hotels, etc. £543 for the same holiday (£300 was a booking fee charge for 2 of us). I have to say Jet2 are superb!

Good luck everyone. I will update when I eventually get my passport to advise of timescales for any poor soul in the same boat! Thanks for all the support.

NHSgirl · 13/10/2021 19:45

@NanaRant I’m sorry to hear your plans are cancelled, but I’m pleased Jet2 helped you to reach book and you can now focus on getting excited for your new year trip. I know it’s a disappointment and you’ll feel so frustrated, have a cry a gin and a cuddle with the other half - tomorrow is a new day x

NanaRant · 13/10/2021 19:50

aw, thank you @NHSgirl. Keeping my fingers crossed for you xx

Junip · 13/10/2021 20:47

Sorry to hear that @NanaRant, what a horrible thing to have to do. It must feel very sad now but I hope you can look forward to your holiday in January and put all of this stress behind you

Galaxyheart · 14/10/2021 09:57

So I rang the passport office again on hold for an hour very nice lady told me DD passport is still waiting to be examined and told me not to get my hopes up for travel looks like we will have to postpone till April .

pingster · 14/10/2021 10:08

Galaxyheart - that's what I was told yesterday when I phoned. I then got the update a couple of hours later that it was being printed and have just had a message to say it is in the post. I'd just hold on a little before cancelling in case the same happens for you!

Galaxyheart · 14/10/2021 10:20

@pingster

Galaxyheart - that's what I was told yesterday when I phoned. I then got the update a couple of hours later that it was being printed and have just had a message to say it is in the post. I'd just hold on a little before cancelling in case the same happens for you!
Thanks for letting me know I can cancel on Tuesday morning
Junip · 14/10/2021 11:05

@Galaxyheart mine was approved a couple of hours after speaking to someone too. Fingers crossed for you

Junip · 14/10/2021 11:09

I picked our passport up from the depot last night, so we finally have it and can travel this weekend. Such a relief. Not sure where it went all this week when it was supposed to be delivered but once they were in touch with the depot they were helpful and happy for us to collect it, they even offered to drop it off personally last night. So a happy ending here!

Good luck to everyone still waiting, I have everything crossed for you

Original poster
Stickystickystick · 14/10/2021 11:42

@Junip so happy for you!!!

OP posts:
NHSgirl · 14/10/2021 11:47

Fantastic news @Junip

tyson2007 · 14/10/2021 14:44

Passports arrived today. Definitely worth calling them and telling them your travel date. After I did that I received a phone call a few days later telling me that they would approve it that day and dispatch the next.

Belfast office
Application was 19th Sept
Docs received 23rd Sept
Passports approved 12th Oct
Received 14th Oct

Good luck to anyone waiting! x

NHSgirl · 14/10/2021 14:52

So my status has now changed to say application in process has anyone else had that?

FloconDeNeige · 14/10/2021 14:54

I never managed to get through to them on the phone. But today I received a message to say it’s been approved and posted. If it arrives next week, maybe we’ll make it back to the UK after all!

Laila747 · 14/10/2021 15:09

Just jumping on the thread to ask a question I’m hoping someone on here can answer!
If you’re applying for a child’s first passport, is it true you need the birth certificates of the maternal grandparents too?
Thanks!

BananaPB · 14/10/2021 15:10

No. I'm assuming mother is British

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