Passport advice URGENT help please!

[Goodwitch9]

My son has just discovered his passport expired a month ago. He is 20, his passport ran from April 17 to April 22 so a child's passport I guess. He wants to go travelling in July and passport renewals are taking up to 10 weeks. We don't really understand all the different fast track options and when we've checked there aren't any appointments anyway... Would really appreciate any advice! He does look quite different now facially, not sure if that's a factor or not?

[Ducksurprise]

You need a one week fast track but getting one is a serious occupation. You need to book but there are never any slots.
I'm week eight of a normal application. Despite paying for recorded delivery the passport office still say the old passport has not arrived...

[dementedpixie]

It would be done as a renewal
Either do as normal online or book a fast track appointment. You need to keep trying for appointments if that's what you choose to do.
My ds's passport took 3 weeks recently using the normal online renewal service.

[Wizzbangfizz]

I had this last year - there are never slots but you have to stalk the website hours a day and you will get one - good luck

[Pointblank2]

Anecdotally renewals are much quicker. It’s easy to do online.

[bluechameleon]

Just keep trying to get a fast track appointment. It took me about a week of trying multiple times a day but eventually I got lucky and got through to the booking page. I got into the habit of trying everything I unlocked my phone.

[Jurassicparkinajug]

My husband just applied for a renewal online via the standard system and it took 10 days.

I applied for one via the normal system also and it took 2 weeks and that was with a name change.

A few friends have renewed there's and had similar times. I think its new passports where there is a delay. I wouldnt worry.

[Flidina]

I've just had my son's renewal back yesterday, sent 22nd April, so approx. 21/2 weeks, however. However, my daughters is not back yet,straight forward renewal, and they've only just confirmed receipt of the old paspport. Both went to went to different passport offices.

[Matchingcollarandcuffs]

It's not a renewal but a first adult passport though I thought . . .

[drumandthebass]

Do it online... it's so quick and easy. Rather than getting a photo taken at a shop do it on your phone and upload it. When you upload it, it will tell you how good the quality is straight away so there's no messing about. I renewed 3 passports at the same time and it only took me about 1/2 hour. Make sure you send the existing passport back by registered delivery.

[PhilFlute]

We have just done 4 passports - 2 child, one adult and one child-adult passport. All had to go to different passport offices and all returned within 2 weeks 😅. We applied online.

[SellFridges]

DS (who is a child) had his renewal back in under 3 weeks. Submitted 18th April, photo verified by my friend a couple of days later, asked to submit a new photo a week later, went to the shop this time so my one piece of advice would be to do this as they do a check for you - when I submitted the code it said the background wasn’t right, so I over-wrote it and explained it was done in a shop, approved Weds evening, printed the next and arrived on Monday.

[gg96cgp]

Just did a renewal - took 2 weeks to the day from date of online application to new passport being received.

[FasterthanBolt]

We renewed our son's passport a few weeks ago from a child (I think he was about 12) to an adult one. He needed a new photo but it didn't need to be countersigned and it took exactly 3 weeks. We did it online and got the photo taken at a Max Spielmanns so we knew it would be accepted.

[Lolly49]

Applied 27 April new passport arrived today.

[LilacPoppy]

@Matchingcollarandcuffs no it’s a renewal because it’s not a first passport ever applies for.

[dementedpixie]

@Matchingcollarandcuffs

It's not a renewal but a first adult passport though I thought . . .

It's a renewal as they have had a passport already. First adult passport is for when they've never had a passport before

[Topseyt123]

@Matchingcollarandcuffs

It's not a renewal but a first adult passport though I thought . . .

No. It is a renewal. We have just renewed my DD3's child passport to her first adult passport. Peterborough office, and we did the renewal online.

All was sent off at the end of March and the new passport (her first adult passport) was back in under 3 weeks.

No guarantees though. It is something of a lottery. Do the renewal now. Online seems best. Book no travel until you have his new passport.

[CatherineCawood]

I have just done an online renewal including a name change. Finally got around to changing my name 21 years after getting married! I sent in my application on the 25 April, my documents 2 days later by recorded delivery. Just had notice today that it has been printed and will be with the courier soon, so am expecting it within a week or so. Mine went to Peterborough.

Also just renewed DS's passport, his went to Liverpool on Monday and I just got a notification that they have received his old passport so assume he is now firmly in the queue and that shouldn't be more than 2 or 3 weeks 🤞

Good luck.

[funtimesahead100]

Hubby did his renewal application 3 weeks ago but only sent his old back passport 15 days ago (he paid for a "sign for" plus tracking at the Post Office). His passport arrived today.
He has enough time to take chance.

[Ducksurprise]

It took the passport office three weeks to log that the passport was received despite the fact I'd paid for sign for, such a lottery

[Pumpernickelsoup]

I started the renewal application for my two boys (16 and 12) on the 24th and both have now been printed and are ready to dispatch so I expect they’ll be here within the next week or so. I was worrying too but now feeling very relieved as we also travel in July!

[Pumpernickelsoup]

Sorry 24th April that should have said!

[Softleftpowerstance]

DP just got a renewal back in ten days. The media have really whipped up what may have been a blip.

[bridgetjonesmassivepants]

It's not a blip! I've been waiting for a passport since the 11th of March.

[Saisong]

It is possible to get a fast track appointment, but you do have to be prepared to hang on the website, refreshing constantly until they release a new batch. Seem to do about 2 batches a day. Around 2pm is a good time.

If you can grab one (be quick they go fast), even if not ideal place/time then you can later attempt to change it as they release other batches - obviously needs more refreshing. Changing an existing appointment is quicker than making a new one (less screens)

I realised my DD needed renewal last week Tuesday. Took 2 days to get an appointment in the system, even though the date was too late really. The next morning I changed it to a better date, and later that day to an even better one - so my appointment was this Tuesday gone and the new passport should arrive by next Tuesday. So a two week process all in.

It is encouraging to hear people are getting renewals in a few weeks, but equally there are many horror stories of it taking more than 10 weeks. It seems really inconsistent.