Passports

[Miniyellowflower]

Hello

Need to get a fast track 1 week appointment for my son’s first passport (flying in 8 weeks) Had no luck so far getting an appointment - always says try again later. Does anyone know what time appointments are released online? Starting to get anxious!

thanks

I’ve not seen that anyone has managed to get a fast track appointment, you may be better applying online to get it in the system.

Have you not seen all the news articles about passport delays? Honestly with less than 8 weeks to go i'd be suprised if you can get a passport in time, especially a first one.

Its basically roulette do you hang on for 1 week appointment or as pp says just apply online and at least start the process.

This is why they advise not to book holidays until you have all valid and in date passports in your hands

Honestly OP, in your shoes I'd just apply online ASAP and hope for the best. We applied for DS's first passport that way recently and it took about 4 weeks in the end.

Can you postpone the flights for another few weeks? 8 weeks for a first passport, with all the delays that are widely reported, is cutting it very fine.

I would keep trying online until you get an appointment you can't just change to a fast track one if you go down the normal route.

We've had a couple of passports come back in 3 weeks but some have been waiting since February for some doing the same routine ones.

It really is pot luck ATM. I hope you can get an appointment asap.

Thanks all, yes wishing we’d been more organised now! Fingers crossed..

I was in this situation this week, travelling in early June. The website shows about 3 weeks worth of appointments all of which were full (in my case up to the 17th May). I looked early the next morning and it looks like they 'released' the appointments for the 18th May, and I was able to get one. I would suggest that you look early in the morning, or maybe after midnight and I think you will be able to get an appointment. This was for the premium online application.

@Miniyellowflower

You booked the trip before sending for the passport?

Rookie error! The passport office constantly tells people to make sure everyone travelling has valid passports before booking an overseas trip. No-one should be allowed to book holidays abroad until they prove everyone travelling has a valid passport for the trip! Some measures need to be put in place, to stop all of this totally avoidable nonsense.