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Original poster

Passport Application Hell

32 replies

thebeachismyhappyplace2 · 31/07/2022 12:07

Hi there

just wondering if others are having a nightmare getting their passports back and/or if there are any tips to help speed things up

i applied for my son’s passport renewal 12 weeks ago and we are travelling in 8 days time!!

I spent all last week chasing it, I was told I could expedite it (as we are travelling in less than 2 weeks time) and was given an email address which I sent my proof of travelling dates to. I just phoned passport office again to chase it only to be told that I was in fact given the wrong email address last week!!!
Absolutely useless people and diabolical system!! So I now almost a week on (and one week til holiday) had to send a new email to a different email address!!

Apparently it’s sitting in the Durham office “awaiting examination”

please share your experiences and any helpful info would be much appreciated!!

t

OP posts:
Makeitwork44 · 31/07/2022 12:17

My friend contacted their local MP and they managed to sort it out for them. Worth a shot?

HotStickyMess · 31/07/2022 12:19

Join the passport chaos group on Facebook for some great advice

basically, if you go to your nearest passport office 48 hours before you fly they should print it there for you

AnniePie · 01/08/2022 21:52

Joining Mumsnet for the very first time to try to understand other people's experiences of current passport applications.... Passport app hell is absolutely what is going on right now. I have been waiting and trying to chase my son's passport after a 15 week period, we fly in 13 days, I've sent all the documents off, received in April but the pathetic phone system and staff cannot find the application, wouldn't expedite until 2 weeks before we fly. 14 days to go and I'm supposed to wait for an email with the belief that it's actually been processed in the meantime. I feel your pain @thebeachismyhappyplace2 completely helpless. Let me know how you get on. We are now discussing paying for late flights for me and my son to join the holiday once the passport appears, if that ever does. I don't hold my breath. Complete shambles.

Original poster
thebeachismyhappyplace2 · 01/08/2022 22:48

Sorry to hear this @AnniePie it’s an absolute nightmare. I don’t understand why they don’t get more staff in. People up and down the country have worked really hard, gone through a tough 2 years and paid a lot of money to pay for a much needed holiday.

I live in the south-east but I’m seriously considering jumping on a train to Durham on Thursday if it still hasn’t arrived. Apparently they will see people if you turn up.

if you are on Facebook, you should join the passport chaos group….there is some really helpful advice on there with people sharing their experiences.

keep me posted. Fingers crossed for both of us 🤞

OP posts:
RoseAndRose · 01/08/2022 22:56

This thread has lots of useful advice, and email address info that seems to work

Festivalpartygirl · 01/08/2022 22:57

I don’t understand why people aren’t applying online, i applied for mine 10 days ago, had photo done at local place who emailed picture off to passport office, I was given a code to reference in my application and just had an update to say passport is being printed and on its way soon, can’t fault the online application service, its actually a much improved and easy service to use.

Vanishdisappear · 01/08/2022 23:01

I had to upgrade my sons and it cost £102 on top of the original fee and a long drive to collect it.
I think your only option now is to send the upgrade email to the correct address and hope they contact you, if they don't then get to the passport office 48hrs before travel.
It's disgusting that this is happening.

poothtaste · 01/08/2022 23:36

I don’t understand why people aren’t applying online, i applied for mine 10 days ago, had photo done at local place who emailed picture off to passport office, I was given a code to reference in my application and just had an update to say passport is being printed and on its way soon, can’t fault the online application service, its actually a much improved and easy service to use.

Because if you are renewing (rather than getting a passport for the first time) then they force you to send the old passport in before they will process the renewal. But the envelope with your child's old passport just sits there unopened for weeks. And weeks.

DrFoxtrot · 01/08/2022 23:52

@Festivalpartygirl I applied online for my DC passports and they still took over 10 weeks and needed expediting and numerous emails to the passport offices to get them in time for travel.

Not every online passport application is going so smoothly. It appears that those from before May are stuck in a backlog and that newer applications are flying though.

OP definitely get on the Passport Chaos Facebook group for some good advice.

caringcarer · 02/08/2022 00:31

I did child's renewal online. Been waiting since April 10th. Should have gone on holiday last week. Could not go. I am fuming about it.

Rebecca34 · 02/08/2022 00:49

I dud online premium to avoid the whole mess but appointments are very hard to find. After months of trying miraculously got an appointment.

Monday55 · 02/08/2022 01:01

You will need to drive to Durham passport office 2days before your flight and take your flight ticket confirmation with you to prove flight dates. Queue up early morning before they open. Explain your situation and they'll hand you your passport same day or following day.

middleager · 02/08/2022 01:05

Locally, two families got their MP involved. It worked!

MitherTheresa · 02/08/2022 01:07

Goodness, we must’ve been incredibly fortunate. I applied for a child’s renewal online four weeks ago and new passport arrived last week. Im in south-east if it’s helpful to know.

Pompom2367 · 02/08/2022 01:08

I went to the passport office two weeks before travel they arranged a priority call back for me and I got my passport within 48 hours I spent hours phoning and emailing and got no help till I showed up

newlabelwriter · 02/08/2022 06:40

I put a very straightforward renewal in at start of May and I finally had an email a few days ago to say mine was approved and then being being printed and should be delivered today. All I can think that seemed to make process move faster was emailing my MP, she contacted the home office and then it just felt like she speeded things up. I also called every day for progress - used this number which gets you through to an actual person 01633 285418. There is also a text number you can use. I got all this from Passport Chaos Facebook group and I have to say there was some really helpful info on there.

People are going directly to passport offices if they are flying within 48 hours and on the whole coming away with a passport. This was my plan until yesterday! It's all so stressful though and I really sympathise as it was causing me so much anxiety!

Festivalpartygirl · 02/08/2022 06:49

@poothtaste I did renew, I sent my old passport off, I have had text/email updates every step of the way, I had text to say old passport received the day after I posted it. I’m sorry you all caught up in this fiasco. We are not travelling until end Oct and thought I’d better get my skates on because of delays.

Vanishdisappear · 02/08/2022 08:44

Just to add - you don't have to go to the office that your application is at you can go to any. They call the office your application is at and get them to sort it and then it can then be printed at the office you have attended.
It is easier to go to the one it is at as it cuts out the phone calls and extra waiting but you can go to your nearest one

CouldBeOuting · 02/08/2022 12:20

I have to admit I was worried after reading the various issues raised on MN about passport applications.

However, in order to give people hope here’s my experience. DSs passport expired in 2021 but we left it because…. Covid.

Applied online for his first adult passport (which does count as a renewal) on Fri 22nd July. Took photo at home using phone and a white sheet for background. Sent off his old passport by recorded delivery on Sat 23 July. They confirmed receipt of old passport on Wed 27. I was hopeful they wouldn’t need anyone to verify his image as he hasn't changed a lot between 12/13 and 19. Last Friday (one week after I applied) I got a message saying it had been approved and today it arrived in the post. 8 working days. Excellent service.

BobMunster · 02/08/2022 12:28

Think this must be regional? As we applied to renew and from start to finish the process was about 3 weeks, service was incredibly prompt.

Definitely contact your MP because it sounds like it's just local to certain areas.

DrFoxtrot · 02/08/2022 15:56

I think anyone applying from June onwards is going to get a better, more speedy service - the rest of us from before that can continue to languish in the black hole as far as the passport office is concerned!

So, to anybody reading who is about to apply - don't worry, yours is much more likely to come quickly!

Everyone who has had to pull out all the stops to get their passports, you have my sympathy.

DrFoxtrot · 02/08/2022 15:57

It's not regional, it's mainly older applications that are not being done in time order for some inexplicable reason.

SingingAvocado · 02/08/2022 17:09

Hello, I've joined the FB group: www.facebook.com/groups/588454072331972
We have also been waiting since May and going away (hopefully) two weeks tomorrow. So tomorrow, at the two week mark, 11 weeks after the application, I'm trying all the options to see if I can expedite it … I've gleaned a phone number and some e-mail addresses to try but who knows? Feeling extremely stressed about it. Variously this is what I've found … upgrade team 01633 285418 and / or 01633 745738, 07897 028714 (sms), screen shot attached of e-mails.

MP said they couldn't help as they claimed that the passport office started counting from when they opened the envelope, which was 2 weeks and 1 day after we sent it so therefore the 10 weeks wasn't reached yet. I struggle to believe this is right as how do we guess how long they are going to take to open the envelope (do you add one, two, three weeks just in case?). Been told using the words 'in breach of the SLA' (i.e. pledge of 10 weeks) can be helpful too.

Re passports now being processed fast I believe that is a thing to help with targets. I've heard they are dealing with current applications and only those languishing ones that people chase, but have no evidence for this.

Passport Application Hell
AnniePie · 02/08/2022 18:33

@SingingAvocado that is really useful. Thanks. Will try those emails tomorrow.

Got hold of someone reasonably useful this evening in the progress team and suggested the 'second request' subject email. Will do this tomorrow and add the other emails in the pic.
Really helpful 👍 appreciate this ❤️