Hi,
So, my predicament is:
3 weeks ago, I submitted a child renewal. 14 weeks before we were due to fly. I sent the old passport, via recorded delivery with Royal Mail. Their tracking does not show it has been delivered. Royal mail explained that, due to the amount of mail going to government offices at the moment, tracked post isn’t always being scanned/signed for on delivery.
1 week ago, I contacted the passport office to enquire what I should do. They suggested I waited one more week, as it was taking between 14-21 *working* days to scan old passports onto the system. One week has now passed, (19 working days in total) and I have tried to get in touch. The main number was answered fairly quickly, within 15 mins. She then transferred me to another department. I had to hang up after waiting on hold for an hour, as I had to go to a meeting.
Has anyone else had this happen? I don’t know what I should do at this point? Report the old passport as lost? And then start a new application? How would I cancel my current application? The problem is, it’s getting scarily close to the 10 week mark now, so what happens then?! Presumably, if I go down this route, and it’s delayed, I won’t be given any option to escalate within two weeks of our holiday, because I applied too late? Maybe I should attempt a fast track application? Has anyone successfully booked a fast track appointment?