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Original poster

Passport stuck in processing- anyone else!?

52 replies

MummaOf4Horrors · 01/05/2022 09:22

So- long story short.....
Sent off 1 adult and 4 children passports for renewal 27th March.
4 are in hand- all sorted and delivered back within 3 weeks
1 is seemingly stuck in the processing stage and has been since 01/04/22......
Anyone else had similar and if so, how long did it take in the end? We are due to travel end of May 🥺

OP posts:
Watapalava · 01/05/2022 10:08

Follow passport chaos 2022 facebook

somone posted today that someone at the passport office told them it shouldn’t be in processing longer than 5 weeks. Some are in longer and often it seems there are application errors that haven’t been communicated

Original poster
MummaOf4Horrors · 01/05/2022 15:20

Watapalava · 01/05/2022 10:08

Follow passport chaos 2022 facebook

somone posted today that someone at the passport office told them it shouldn’t be in processing longer than 5 weeks. Some are in longer and often it seems there are application errors that haven’t been communicated

This is what I'm worried about!
I have rang them several times and they have said that there is no error documented by the examiner and I haven't had a message or email etc to say that I have made an error/need new photo etc
Absolutely ridiculous!!
Will try them again on tues

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Loudhousefun · 01/05/2022 19:15

I have almost identical dates to you, mine is an adult renewal sent by check and send paper form. Stuck in processing at Durham waiting to be examined. They won’t tell me what is wrong with it, it is unbelievable

Mfsf · 01/05/2022 19:23

I would suggest you call as my sister had the same 3 returned fine one was taking ages , she called and apparently the foto was nit ok after all ? But nobody updated the online file . She amended it and had her just in time of her holiday , this was just a few weeks ago

Original poster
MummaOf4Horrors · 01/05/2022 19:36

Mfsf · 01/05/2022 19:23

I would suggest you call as my sister had the same 3 returned fine one was taking ages , she called and apparently the foto was nit ok after all ? But nobody updated the online file . She amended it and had her just in time of her holiday , this was just a few weeks ago

Thank you
I will be on the phone to them first thing tomorrow or Tues if closed for BH

For what is charged, it's truely an appalling system!

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Original poster
MummaOf4Horrors · 01/05/2022 19:38

Loudhousefun · 01/05/2022 19:15

I have almost identical dates to you, mine is an adult renewal sent by check and send paper form. Stuck in processing at Durham waiting to be examined. They won’t tell me what is wrong with it, it is unbelievable

It's so frustrating isn't it! We will have sent it within 10 weeks of our holiday so will be really upset if we can't travel!
I have rang on a number of occasions so have no idea what more I can do!? Can't get a name or number/email for the examiner so no way to contact them. Apparently the call centre sent the examiner an email but still nothing
I honestly am baffled!!

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Manyoaks · 01/05/2022 20:45

I took DS photo at home, wish I hadn't now.. I popped to get a replacement photo done at Max Spielmans last week so I have it to send straight through if it's requested. They said not to do it unless asked for as they can immediately upload it using the ref number.. Does anyone know of they are able to send a replacement photo with the ref number if it hasn't been requested just incase that is what is holding the processing up. I didn't think it ask until after I had left or am I totally clutching at straws.

backinthebox · 02/05/2022 08:19

I’ve been waiting for mine since 18th Feb. I’m an airline pilot and need it for work. Was told last week, after calling every half hour for 2 days before I eventually managed to speak to a human being, that they did not have proof my passport from 2003 had been cancelled. No one can tell me what I need to do next - they said a week ago someone would call me urgently but no one has. It’s a shambles.

Original poster
MummaOf4Horrors · 02/05/2022 10:54

Called again today-
The online application didn't ask for counter signature for our sons renewal (age14) and this seems to be holding it all up. Bare in mind, they haven't contacted me to send the counter signature details over at any Point in the last 6 weeks and have just left it in processing for 6 weeks 🧐.

The telephone adviser has sent a form to the office and I should hear back in 72hrs apparently. And if we have to change to fast track,the cost will be covered as it's their error on the application side of things as should have been asked for before we could even send our documents over 🤔 bloody useless service!

OP posts:
Original poster
MummaOf4Horrors · 02/05/2022 10:56

Manyoaks · 01/05/2022 20:45

I took DS photo at home, wish I hadn't now.. I popped to get a replacement photo done at Max Spielmans last week so I have it to send straight through if it's requested. They said not to do it unless asked for as they can immediately upload it using the ref number.. Does anyone know of they are able to send a replacement photo with the ref number if it hasn't been requested just incase that is what is holding the processing up. I didn't think it ask until after I had left or am I totally clutching at straws.

I did all of my photos from home and all have been processed 👌🏽try not to worry too much

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Original poster
MummaOf4Horrors · 02/05/2022 10:57

backinthebox · 02/05/2022 08:19

I’ve been waiting for mine since 18th Feb. I’m an airline pilot and need it for work. Was told last week, after calling every half hour for 2 days before I eventually managed to speak to a human being, that they did not have proof my passport from 2003 had been cancelled. No one can tell me what I need to do next - they said a week ago someone would call me urgently but no one has. It’s a shambles.

Surely that's their own problem! They have issued a passport to you since then that they have back in their possession I presume ? Absolutely ridiculous and I'm so sorry that you are having this problem especially when your job relies on it!!

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Manyoaks · 02/05/2022 12:05

@MummaOf4Horrors I am now wondering if that is the same issue with the photo we submitted. They have changed so much since the last passport at 5years old now they are 14. I have just come off a call to a really helpful guy who said it was looked at on the 22nd March but no notes that he can see as to why there it hasn't been accepted. He transferred me to the management team or rather a message saying they are not open. I too am waiting for a returned 72 hour call from last Monday

@backinthebox unbelievably incompetent

Original poster
MummaOf4Horrors · 02/05/2022 12:07

Manyoaks · 02/05/2022 12:05

@MummaOf4Horrors I am now wondering if that is the same issue with the photo we submitted. They have changed so much since the last passport at 5years old now they are 14. I have just come off a call to a really helpful guy who said it was looked at on the 22nd March but no notes that he can see as to why there it hasn't been accepted. He transferred me to the management team or rather a message saying they are not open. I too am waiting for a returned 72 hour call from last Monday

@backinthebox unbelievably incompetent

It's a disgraceful service isn't it considering the price paid.

Did you not have to get a counter signature either? Online application?

You will have to update me with how you get on?

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Manyoaks · 02/05/2022 12:16

Mine was an online child renewal sent second week in March. No counter signature was requested, a few photos were rejected on the application before I got one that went through. The guy on the phone said he can't see any notes until after 21 days of being entered. To be honest I have had so many conversations where conflicting information is given that I am at a total loss as to what is correct. Best was just at cancel it and start again 😂

So far, all email requests and call backs requested have not happened. If they just add the notes so I could rectify the issue then I would stop calling !!

Absolutely, will keep you updated

Original poster
MummaOf4Horrors · 02/05/2022 13:08

Manyoaks · 02/05/2022 12:16

Mine was an online child renewal sent second week in March. No counter signature was requested, a few photos were rejected on the application before I got one that went through. The guy on the phone said he can't see any notes until after 21 days of being entered. To be honest I have had so many conversations where conflicting information is given that I am at a total loss as to what is correct. Best was just at cancel it and start again 😂

So far, all email requests and call backs requested have not happened. If they just add the notes so I could rectify the issue then I would stop calling !!

Absolutely, will keep you updated

Oh gosh!!! So frustrating!
I agree re: the mixed info!

Fingers crossed we get some more info and a response and our bloody passports!
We travel end of May so only 4 weeks now 😢 losing all hope that it will ever arrive 😂

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 02/05/2022 13:17

MummaOf4Horrors · 02/05/2022 10:54

Called again today-
The online application didn't ask for counter signature for our sons renewal (age14) and this seems to be holding it all up. Bare in mind, they haven't contacted me to send the counter signature details over at any Point in the last 6 weeks and have just left it in processing for 6 weeks 🧐.

The telephone adviser has sent a form to the office and I should hear back in 72hrs apparently. And if we have to change to fast track,the cost will be covered as it's their error on the application side of things as should have been asked for before we could even send our documents over 🤔 bloody useless service!

A 14 year old shouldn't need a countersignature. Only under 12s need one. Ds's renewal was accepted without a countersignature and he's age 15. His is apparently printed but haven't been advised that its been dispatched yet

radness75 · 02/05/2022 13:31

Mine in still in process since the 2nd of march! Thankfully our holiday is in oct but i cant wait for the email that tells me it is at the printing stage.

Bubblepanda · 02/05/2022 14:06

@Watapalava have you received any indication why yours is stuck in processing?

Watapalava · 02/05/2022 15:29

Mine isn’t in processing. Mine was ordered 17/4 and due today.

mine was for 15 yr old ds. Teens do not need a countersignature unless they can’t be recognised from the original photo. So if you knew it was an older and young photo it was up to you to provide a countersignature in theory. Now If you applied on paper then it needs sorting before you send of.

If you apply online then it’s up to the passport office to sort. I’m guessing this is why so many go to the processing stage as they need someone to physically get involved. My ds didn’t go to the processing stage which is usually a sign of an issue.

Straightforward applications go digital route - saying that you may never be told why it’s gone to processing, something may not be wrong, just that it needs human intervention

terrible that they didn’t get back to you for so long tho but I’m guessing stuck in a. Big queue of similar applications!

dementedpixie · 02/05/2022 16:13

Ds's renewal never had a processing stage. It was done online with a photo on my phone. No countersignature as he is 15.

Don't know when it will be posted though. So near but still so far away!

Passport stuck in processing- anyone else!?
Eggbuttie · 02/05/2022 16:16

My renewal for my 5 year old has been stuck in processing since 19th March after sending on 6th March. Stressed as we are due to go away end of May

Original poster
MummaOf4Horrors · 02/05/2022 18:10

Watapalava · 02/05/2022 15:29

Mine isn’t in processing. Mine was ordered 17/4 and due today.

mine was for 15 yr old ds. Teens do not need a countersignature unless they can’t be recognised from the original photo. So if you knew it was an older and young photo it was up to you to provide a countersignature in theory. Now If you applied on paper then it needs sorting before you send of.

If you apply online then it’s up to the passport office to sort. I’m guessing this is why so many go to the processing stage as they need someone to physically get involved. My ds didn’t go to the processing stage which is usually a sign of an issue.

Straightforward applications go digital route - saying that you may never be told why it’s gone to processing, something may not be wrong, just that it needs human intervention

terrible that they didn’t get back to you for so long tho but I’m guessing stuck in a. Big queue of similar applications!

Exactly! We did 4 childrens renewals all at same time online- 3 asked for counter signature and you couldn't send off until completed.
This one was renewal from last passport age 9 to now age 14 and we weren't asked for counter signature and it asked for us to send it off (as they did with mine) absolute nightmare! Wouldn't mind but could have done the counter signature the same day as the other 3 kids 😥

So it's an error on their side (via online application) wish I had just done paper applications now tbh!! Apparently the chap on the phone today said we should have been asked for it as he was much younger on the previous passport and will have changed

Either that or it's a way of them getting people to fork out extra for the upgrade service as they now know we are travelling on the 11 week mark of the application and we obviously won't travel minus one child 🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
MummaOf4Horrors · 02/05/2022 18:12

Eggbuttie · 02/05/2022 16:16

My renewal for my 5 year old has been stuck in processing since 19th March after sending on 6th March. Stressed as we are due to go away end of May

I understand that they are busy but to promise a 10 week turn around and then not deliver is frustrating isn't it!
Apparently should be done and dusted once processng within 6 weeks the chap on the phone told me today- obviously not the case 🥸

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dementedpixie · 02/05/2022 18:19

My ds was 10 in his old photo and wasn't asked for a countersignature now he's 15. Did he look vastly different @MummaOf4Horrors?

I wonder if they've taken on a lot of incompetent or untrained staff to try and get the backlog down.

Original poster
MummaOf4Horrors · 02/05/2022 18:19

dementedpixie · 02/05/2022 18:19

My ds was 10 in his old photo and wasn't asked for a countersignature now he's 15. Did he look vastly different @MummaOf4Horrors?

I wonder if they've taken on a lot of incompetent or untrained staff to try and get the backlog down.

No not any change tbh
Still very much looks the same - to me anyway. 🤣🤣

Fingers crossed that they pull their finger out asap!

OP posts: