[nigeljsmith79]

dt1901 – really feel for you. we are in exactly the same situation (child renewal) where we have had to travel at last minute and the premium service was no good as the first appointment was 2 days after we are due to fly. So we just resorted to using the standard process and hoping it will come in time.

It does appear that child renewals and first passport applications take a lot longer to process than adults. We a friend that got her (adult) renewal done in 2 days – 4 days to receive it from Peteborough office. I think it could be because there maybe a few more things to check like the child has mother/father with current passports and the very fact that are probably many more child renewals as they expire every 5 years rather than 10 years.

I know this isn’t helping and I am sorry you are going through this. I genuinely believe the passport office are working as quickly as they can but I do question the way they prioritise but maybe they just don’t prioiritise and they strictly work on a first come first served basis (which, to be honest, probably is the fairest and most efficient way of working otherwise they will be all over the place stopping one application to start another which is deemed more priority).

My only advice would be to contact them via twitter and explain the situation – I wouldn’t start demanding anything but be kind and explain the urgency and they may be able to help. They said to us that they would put the travel date on the application but just said it could take upto 10 weeks and offer no further timeframes to get this completed. It seems almost all standard renewals are being done within 3-4 weeks but the question is, will it be in time for your travels which is worrying us.

Really hope it works out for you.

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