Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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:
Titsflyingsouth · 03/05/2022 09:52

I'm tearing my hair out with stress over this.

Did an online application and sent my son's passport to HMPO on 25th March, took 2.5 weeks for system to be updated to say it was received and since then nothing. We fly in 20 days and because our application was submitted at 9 weeks rather than 10, we can claim nothing back on insurance. It's our first holiday overseas in 5 years and we stand to lose everything. Have been trying for get someone on the phone for the past 4 working days and keep getting put on hold only to be booted out after 10 minutes. No updates, no way of getting information. I'm seriously considering just getting on a train and travelling 300 miles to Durham and just turning up and making a pest of myself at this point because I'm desperate. Anyone got any advice??

Bubblepanda · 03/05/2022 11:31

@Titsflyingsouth Hi sorry to hear you are struggling as well. Without being over dramatic it has made me feel quite poorly. I called this morning and spoke to someone who advised there is a new system in place for call backs. They are prioritising dates of travel and someone should contact you once they have looked into the issue causing delay. As I have been told this numerous times I didn't think it would help. However I have just had an email confirming passport has now been approved. It has been stuck since mid March so I don't think that this is a coincidence. Maybe worth calling again and requesting for a call back

Original poster
MummaOf4Horrors · 03/05/2022 11:56

Bubblepanda · 03/05/2022 11:31

@Titsflyingsouth Hi sorry to hear you are struggling as well. Without being over dramatic it has made me feel quite poorly. I called this morning and spoke to someone who advised there is a new system in place for call backs. They are prioritising dates of travel and someone should contact you once they have looked into the issue causing delay. As I have been told this numerous times I didn't think it would help. However I have just had an email confirming passport has now been approved. It has been stuck since mid March so I don't think that this is a coincidence. Maybe worth calling again and requesting for a call back

I agree
I have also had an call back this morning re: my DS passport stuck in processing since 01/04/22. They are 'pulling' it off the system and sending it to an advisor today so should hear back by Thursday she said. I have never had a problem getting through- max hold was 30 mins and just asked to be passed to the processing team xx

OP posts:
Titsflyingsouth · 03/05/2022 12:08

@Bubblepanda @MummaOf4Horrors

ThNks so much for this, it does give me some hope . Do appreciate it. Unfortunately my problem at the moment is I cannot get through to a real person on either number - have been trying the 0300 222 0000 for days - it bumps you off hold after 10 mins. Currently on hold on a different number I found on Passport Chaos FB group - been on hold 90 mins so far.

Whoatealltheminieggs · 03/05/2022 12:12

Ours got stuck because you’re not allowed to have the same counter signature for more than one passport. Didn’t actually communicate that with me

Original poster
MummaOf4Horrors · 03/05/2022 12:19

Whoatealltheminieggs · 03/05/2022 12:12

Ours got stuck because you’re not allowed to have the same counter signature for more than one passport. Didn’t actually communicate that with me

Do you mean from one renewal to the next?

OP posts:
kissmelittleass · 03/05/2022 12:23

My dd sent in her renewal application in mid January hoping it would be back for a flight booked on 6th March, she had to cancel and reschedule holiday lost the flight money, passport arrived about a week after so in all it took about 8 weeks

Bubblepanda · 03/05/2022 12:30

Yes that's the number I used. It kept cutting me off but I have managed to get through most days using that. I found the best time was at 9 and around 4.30

Titsflyingsouth · 03/05/2022 14:15

Just got bad news. Apparently our application h got switched from digital to manual 2 weeks ago because apparently there is a problem. Nobody can tell us what the problem is, no notes have been made on the system to explain what the problem is and nobody contacted us to say there is a problem. We're basically stalled at the start of the process and have no idea why. The call handler said the application looked absolutely solid to him. We can't apply for upgrade because our documents have not been approved.

We are meant to fly in 20 days and I genuinely have no idea what to do. I'm crying my eyes out...this is making me ill.

Original poster
MummaOf4Horrors · 03/05/2022 14:42

Titsflyingsouth · 03/05/2022 14:15

Just got bad news. Apparently our application h got switched from digital to manual 2 weeks ago because apparently there is a problem. Nobody can tell us what the problem is, no notes have been made on the system to explain what the problem is and nobody contacted us to say there is a problem. We're basically stalled at the start of the process and have no idea why. The call handler said the application looked absolutely solid to him. We can't apply for upgrade because our documents have not been approved.

We are meant to fly in 20 days and I genuinely have no idea what to do. I'm crying my eyes out...this is making me ill.

Oh gosh I'm so sorry! What a huge stress for you. I wonder why they have done this?? Seems very silly to change it like that if everything required has been sent.
Are they not able to process it now then? Can you cancel and book an urgent appt at one of the offices?? Apparently they can transfer documents from the office you sent to to your local office if needs be for this purpose? There has to be something that can be done :-(

OP posts:
Eggbuttie · 03/05/2022 19:42

Ours has just been approved this morning!! Now the wait for printing and delivery.

We did submit early March so those a few days behind I have everything crossed for you all. It was making me feel sick.

Parentcarerandcrazy · 03/05/2022 20:07

I'm pleased I found this thread. I applied for all of our passports in march - mine and DHs were renewals and were processed and received in around 3 weeks. My two youngest DCs took a week or two longer but we have received them. Problem is with my eldest DS.

ID verified 22 Mar
Royal mail delivered docs 23 Mar
HMPO confirmed docs received 5 apr
They asked for ID verif AGAIN 19 Apr
ID verified 20 Apr
App being processed 29 Apr

We travel 2nd Jun and I am past myself. All three of my kids have ASD so we have been preparing them for our holiday by showing them videos of where we are going and talking through it a great deal. I honestly don't know how they will react if we can't travel. This will be our first holiday abroad ever so they are extremely excited.

Has anyone successfully gotten an MP involved?I'm on hold to PO now, having never gotten as far as hold music before (constantly says they are too busy and to call back another time 😡). Been on hold 31 minutes and I'm aware they close at 8 but not willing to hang up just yet. I could cry. Its so f-ing unfair. As I understand the waiting time went from 5 weeks to 10 weeks on 1st April. We had sent applications 12 weeks before travelling just to be on the safe side and now may not even travel, and can't even get to speak to an actual human about it. Bastards.

Bubblepanda · 03/05/2022 21:16

Keep trying whenever you can throughout the day, you will eventually get through. I called constantly this morning for an hour before getting on a call that allowed me to hold for 15 mins. I must have called every day for the past week and have at some point got through every day. If you are traveling within 2 weeks you can send evidence of travel and they should be able to escalate it. However there is time before getting to that stage to request someone to look at it to find out what the issue is. I was told they are prioritising dates of travel and now have a team looking into issues prior to calling back. A new thing apparently is to try to get on top of the back log. I totally understand your frustration I had got to the point where I couldn't think of anything other than sorting the passport issue out.

Secrettoday · 03/05/2022 21:20

Applied 8th March for online adult renewal. Received 29th April!!!

Amibroken · 04/05/2022 11:33

Can anyone tell me what the alternative phone number is please? I've been ringing 03002220000 and after the speal it just says too busy to take calls.

Original poster
MummaOf4Horrors · 06/05/2022 09:07

Update from me
So I got my call back tues and was told that we will hear more on Thursday (ie whether it is approved or needs further info)

Got a test yesterday to say the passport has been approved 👌🏽👌🏽
Just need to receive it back in hand and we are done for 5 years 😂😂

OP posts:
Loudhousefun · 06/05/2022 10:39

MummaOf4Horrors please May I ask which office, really am desperate as mine is at Durham and travelling in 19 days. Cannot sleep thinking about it! Apparently they are rushing through the April applicants so their performance indicators for that month look good and leaving the March applicants to rot.

RupertTheCat · 06/05/2022 10:52

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!

Very similar timeline to the child renewal I did. It never updated to dispatched but I received it yesterday. It was printed 29/04

Original poster
MummaOf4Horrors · 06/05/2022 18:43

Loudhousefun · 06/05/2022 10:39

MummaOf4Horrors please May I ask which office, really am desperate as mine is at Durham and travelling in 19 days. Cannot sleep thinking about it! Apparently they are rushing through the April applicants so their performance indicators for that month look good and leaving the March applicants to rot.

I can't remember now but think it began with a C
Had text today to say it's printed and on its way 😵 fingers crossed yours gets moving asap too

OP posts:
Original poster
MummaOf4Horrors · 08/05/2022 12:08

Titsflyingsouth · 03/05/2022 14:15

Just got bad news. Apparently our application h got switched from digital to manual 2 weeks ago because apparently there is a problem. Nobody can tell us what the problem is, no notes have been made on the system to explain what the problem is and nobody contacted us to say there is a problem. We're basically stalled at the start of the process and have no idea why. The call handler said the application looked absolutely solid to him. We can't apply for upgrade because our documents have not been approved.

We are meant to fly in 20 days and I genuinely have no idea what to do. I'm crying my eyes out...this is making me ill.

Hi love
Did you manage to get things sorted??

OP posts:
Titsflyingsouth · 11/05/2022 14:03

@MummaOf4Horrors

Have literally just walked out of Peterborough passport office, passport in hand. Nothing had moved for 9 weeks so bit the bullet, turned up at the office yesterday, without an appointment and blagged my way in. Took a day and a half - decided to stay in Peterborough overnight to collect in person rather than risk it being sent out via TNT.

The staff at the office are incredibly professional and kind. It's insane down there but they are trying to get people processed.

Sobbing with relief. Smile

Hope everyone in here gets sorted soon. X

Viviennedluca · 12/05/2022 17:32

@Titsflyingsouth hi can I ask what you said to them? Was your passport already there? Mines at the Durham office sent 17th march text from them saying they received it 23rd should be back 1st June it’s not hopefully spoke to them again after a thousand phone calls and emails it’s not even been checked yet… so unfair got mp involved we fly 11th of June, they told her they will
push it to examiner they haven’t anything to get your off the phone when you do get through.. they keep mentioning the upgrade yes if they call you back also they contact you 48 hrs before flying I have to let jet2 know what we’re doing so I can’t do that either.. stressed isn’t the word we’re supposed to check in online Saturday can’t do that either it was 6 week turn around when we applied.. bows it’s 10 weeks we still have 11 weeks I don’t know what to do any more x

Viviennedluca · 12/05/2022 17:41

@Titsflyingsouth when do you fly? I’m considering going down cause I can’t get any help from any where I’m exhausted from
all of this I cannot sleep… I can’t focus me and my husband are so stressed we should be sll
happy packing our suit cases getting ready for our holiday not been away for 3 years, my dads coming with us he’s been looking forward to it for ages my mum died last year it’s all he’s talked about is this holiday he still thinks we’re going.. I don’t what to do should I go down or are they only helping people with travel in a weeks time? A train to Durham is £207 return I will pay it if I knew I could get my baby’s passport..

Titsflyingsouth · 12/05/2022 18:37

@Viviennedluca

When I was outside trying to get inside I just told security I had an enquiry and wanted to speak to someone at the enquiry desk. That got me through the door. At the enquiry desk I told them my passport application had been stalled since March and I was due to fly in 13 days. And they let me go through to the upgrade team and wait. As I didn't have an official appointment there was a lot of waiting until an advisor was available - but I got seen eventually.

Titsflyingsouth · 12/05/2022 18:38

@Viviennedluca

Basically they were not giving out upgrade appointments unless you could prove you were flying within 14 days...

We fly a week on Saturday.

Good luck. Hope it comes off for you.