Fast track kids renew passport

[TurquoiseTrees]

Anyone got experience with renewing a child’s passport under the fast track scheme? Has it ever come in less than a week?
So upset - realised far too late that DS’s passport has expired. Getting ferry to France with our other two kids as everything paid for and can’t change. DS waiting with my parents then I’m flying back in a couple of days to wait with him, but that means being without my 1yo until his passport arrives. Desperately hoping for examples when it’s come a couple of days early!!

Is it a new passport or a renew if your DS is only 1?

It's not the 1 year old whose passport has expired. She is leaving the 1 year old in France to go back to wait with the other child.

Sorry that’s confusing - my son who needs his passport renewed is 5yo

Not a child’s, but mine came yesterday after my appointment on Monday (fast track). My colleague did his daughters 2 weeks ago (not fast track) and it took 10 days.

I don't think you can use fast track for a child passport

The passport will sit for exactly 5 days for safeguarding checks. I’ve been 6 days quickest but 7 is more usual. There are Facebook groups with hundreds asking same questions every day! Can always check them out.

I did last year - made an appointment and went to the office. They say it comes within a week and my DD’s arrived about 5 days later. It’s pretty efficient.

It won't come in less than 5 days due to safeguarding checks. When did you submit it?

You messed up, and you're still going to go without your 5 year old and without knowing how much of a family holiday he will miss?

I had the appt at the passport office on Wed morning. Does that mean earliest Tues likely next wed? Or does the day of the appt count?!

@YerAWizardHarry which Facebook groups? Thanks 🙏

there is a very active one called “Passport Waiting Times UK”

Oh no. What day where you due to travel

@mothsandgoths this evening 😭. I’m so so upset with myself - we’ve been planning this holiday all year and I was sure I’d done all the passports…. SO stupid of me.

If you're planning on travelling this evening how long is the trip? It's very possible the passport won't be here until next Friday or even longer which could well mean there is no point in him travelling at all.

Oh you poor thing. Easy mistake to make. I hope it arrives Tuesday. I'm sure you will be able to start tracking it soon

There's a 1 week fast track for children
Only adults can do a same day one

They also deliver passports at the weekend as they come by courier rather than royal mail

@dementedpixie thanks, that makes sense

I don't have any answers, but I do have a question though - can anyone tell me what is the process for getting photos verified digitally for 11 and unders? Just realised my kids passports have expired and we're going away in 2 weeks. We are going fasttrack, booking an appointment in London on Tuesday and hopefully completing the application online over the weekend. I have a neighbour (company director) who can countersign, but gov website it very confusing. One page says it can be done online, but another page says photo and docs need printing and countersigning. Confused and stressed :(
I don't want to do anything that might slow it down, so it would be great to get some advice. TIA

You provide an email address for the countersignature and they give the details required online

Although with fast track I don't know how it works. Do you take paperwork with you or fill it in and submit it online?

Ah, that’s so rubbish. Really sorry OP. If the 5YO is being looked after well, then they can probably be bought off with lovely trips with grandma and granddad and special treatment. It won’t forever scar them, it was unintentional on your part.

@dementedpixie you complete everything online. For validation of a photo, you provide an email address where the validation request goes to. Just double check the email address is correct.....twice! as this was an issue for me as I was given the wrong address.