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@Pumpkin, that was very useful, thanks for taking the time to respond in such detail. I agree about bombarding HMPO with eMails there comes a point when it gets counterproductive. On one of the FB groups someone claimed they had sent over a 100 emails in the course of a week and was advocating others to do like wise, I just could not see that being helpful to them or others. Thanks again.
Good news indeed Pumpkin, from what I have worked out the 12/13 mark is when international passports are are actioned. What was the Durham international email you used if you don’t mind me asking?
I’m an overseas applicant too, I have a slight advantage as I’m still a registered voter so a can call on the offices of my MP if needed (I’m only 7 weeks in at mo) therefore probably not at that stage yet. I did get through to HMPOs SMS service (at great expense, to clarify a couple of points), one nugget I found out from this exchange is, if one needs a passort for legal compliance issue such as renewing a visa (which I will later this year) they will expedite the application.
@Anon,
Did you see the news? Folk were turned away from the Durham office today who had tipped up with cheap throw away flight tickets. You were more than likley dealt with because you had passed the 10 week threshold.
“I actually booked the cheapest ticket I could find, just a one way 22 pound ticket to use as proof. If it’s a renewal and been over 6 weeks since they received your documents, you are entitled for an upgrade I believe, which might come at a cost but I’m not sure. So if you’re open to it, just buy a really cheap ticket to fly out within the next week or so and email them again, hopefully it’ll will do something as they are prioritising applications based on travel date.”
From what I read the passport office have become cute to this you will be required to provide more evidence of travel if the flight/travel has been booked after the the submission date. Also one could be denying someone who has been waiting longer as actully is in need of travel.
@upsidedown As a fellow ex pat I would like to thank you for input into this fora as it has been invaulable and insightful. Although, I’m not at the escalation stage it has given me clear insight in what I need to do *IF* I reach that stage. Fingers crossed I don’t, but unfortunately it looks to be heading that way.
“Does anyone know how I can get in contact with my MP? Im based in Manchester”
@Rabia,
You have asked this question before and it was answered, you need to go on the Westminster website and put thier name in and the contact detail will pop up – as it is a matter of public record. No one here can tell you the contact details of your MP as we don’t know where you live and there are nearly 30 MPs that cover Greater Manchester.
Also MPs are generally not getting involved until an applicatons have hit the 10 week mark has elasped. Even then its clear thier involvment is predicated on how safe they feel thier majority is.
I agree the whole situation is absolutely unsatisfactory, but you are only two weeks in and there are folk well past the 10 weeks and from this site the average time for childs 1st passport is 45 days. You just need to hang in there and wait to you hit one of the trigger points then action it accordingly which includes monitoring this site.
““I work in the civil service (not passports!) and when we have work items that exceed our target we know we’ve already failed on those. Our focus then is to stop anymore items from exceeding the target so newer items will be worked as priority and older stuff picked up as and when we can. I assume this is what the passport office is also doing. We also have new staff working brand new items so it has time to be worked and checked before reaching the target. Obviously not helpful for those over 10 weeks but maybe the reason why it’s not being worked in order and some people are getting a quick turnaround.”
I did’nt see that post, but it accords with the observations I posted up thread. It is similiar to what the Royal Mail do when they get a back log, they will let the new mail flow as per thier service level agreement and work on the backlog seperately.
But thanks for posting.
“How do I contact them? ”
By eMail, but until one has hit at least the 6 week mark (most probably 10) with a confirmed travel booking it is unlikely it will be escalated – unless one has exceptional circumstances. But, good luck anyway.
” don’t think your MP can do much as you have only submitted very recently.”
Agreed, I very much doubt ones MP will get involved until at least the 10 weeks has elasped.
Calender days are the *total* number of days since one submitted, therefore 45 days will be circa 5/6 weeks. But, that is an average as pointed out up thread, some passports will be issued quicker than that time frame and some longer. But, if one wants to take some comfort it does appear to be an improving situation, albeit slowly. I venture once the start of the school holidays has been reached in a couple of weeks time I would expect to see a noticable improvement in turn around times aross the board.
From the outside looking in, it appears geneaally HMP0 have three strands/teams to applications:
1:- New applications: These are being dealt with quickly to prevent the backlog getting bigger.
2:- A team working through the backlog of applications from the 1st quarter of the year.
3:- A team working on the overseas applications.
“What do you mean by this website? Are people starting to get their passport more sooner now?”
Yes. Look at/click the Expierance and latest Waiting Times tabs.
That said you may still have little way to go yet as the average time for a childs 1st passport is currently at 45 days according to this site.
“Does anyone have the number for the MP for Manchester area. So I can contact them. I don’t want to wait 10 weeks!”
Your MP’s contact details are a matter of public record, you will need to go onto the Westminster website and input your thier name and the details will pop up.
We all don’t want to wait 10 weeks, I’m 5 weeks in and counting – its doubful your application will get expedited unless you hit the 6 week mark and can prove you have travel booked. However, from this website it looks like the corner has been turned and hopefully those waiting will have that little blue book in hand shortly.
