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@bonz I’ve heard anything as little as just phoning up and getting notes added to your application can drop you to manual.
Wouldn’t really say there’s a “tell”, as long as there’s nothing questionable on your application like misspellings, wrong details, lack of or wrong documents. Sometimes they just need/want to look into things more than their computer can.
I don’t think a photo or identity confirmation will necessarily knock you to manual as I’ve seen both updates on a full digital application. I’d guess if your countersignatory seems suspicious or fake maybe. Photo seems to be the last check they actually do, most applications I’ve seen (digital and manual) seem to get approved days after submitting a new one.
The longer you’re on “documents received” means the longer it’s in digital processing and the further it’s getting so it’s a good sign.
(that is under the assumption you’ve definitely sent them everything they need).If they actually had a decent tracker they could probably half the amount of support calls they get.
“Documents received” then “documents logged on system” would stop people asking if they have them or if they lost them.
“Awaiting more documents” would stop people being left weeks without being told they need more.
“Undergoing digital checks” would stop people asking why it’s stuck on docs received.
“in processing queue” then “with an examiner” would stop people asking why they’ve been processing it for 8 weeks.Mine took 22 days for confirmation at the start of March, I’m sure much longer waits are probably normal now.
Basically their system is crap.
They seem to assign a random office for each application (instead of assigning equally or to the one with the lowest workload) so certain offices get overloaded with mail. When this happens piles of mail will then be shipped to other offices to handle this – without logging your documents in any way. Rough guess is this will add a week to them logging it, obviously more if you’re unlucky enough for it to happen twice.None of their staff will tell you this either and I don’t know why. I wouldn’t of spent £70 replacing documents had I known earlier.
My MP hadn’t heard anything back from the passport office after 3 weeks. He then contacted their urgent email last week and still nothing.
He called me to tell me that up until a month ago MP’s had a direct line to the passport office but it was shutdown so they have no direct contact for them other than email (which obviously will be mixed in with thousands of other peoples).
Still nothing, I’ve seen a few posts from people who were in processing about a week before me just got approved so maybe not long for me now. I’d say sadly you’re looking at at least 8 weeks processing time now with more and more people applying unless they manage to get some new staff up to level soon.
Sometimes they say it’s 10 weeks from application date, others from documents received.
I applied and sent everything they needed on the 5th March so as far as I’m concerned it’s been in their hands since then. 73 days now, was supposed to be boarding a flight an hour ago.
@upsidedown What did the email you mentioned say? I’m at 45 days processing now in Durham and not had anything. Was still in the queue a few weeks ago and last week their system was broke so they couldn’t tell me anything
@tomfromaus what does your application history say?I haven’t seen any application be approved in 2 business days in quite a while.
If “documents received” you may still be in digital. And it will seem like it’s stuck at that because they have no “gone to digital processing” update, it will be undergoing digital checks and go straight to approved when it happens. From what I’ve seen these days it can be up to 3-4 weeks but a lot come back sooner.
If “application being processed” you’re in manual. It will usually go to this within 2 weeks of them recieving all the documents they need. This is the update that tells you it’s been put in the queue for manual, not that it’s actually processing yet. It’ll be at least 4-6 weeks before it’s even picked up by an examiner currently.
@upsidedown What did the email you mentioned say? I’m at 45 days processing now in Durham and not had anything. Was still in the queue a few weeks ago and last week their system was broke so they couldn’t tell me anythingWhat date did yours go into processing?
First passport in Durham here too (after first sending to Liverpool). Processing since 1st of April so 6 weeks and not been contacted for an interview yet.
Been told I will 100% need an interview by 2 different hmpo workers. From what I understand if it’s your first ever passport then you’ll get interviewed, if you had a child or foreign passport then maybe not
6 weeks processing in Durham here. Saw a few people accepted after 6 weeks at the start of may, guessing it’s longer now.
6 weeks processing in Durham here. Saw a few people accepted after 6 weeks at the start of may, guessing it’s longer now
10 weeks waiting today. Was told they can “escalate” at 10 weeks by the last person I spoke to so phoned again today.
First person was possibly new and didn’t know what she was doing, tried putting me through to the upgrade team even though it’s a first passport so I had to tell her I’m not eligible. She puts me through to someone else and the system isn’t working and shows nothing on my application so all she can do is arrange for a call back, told her the last time I was told that I didn’t get one in 3 weeks and had to phone them back myself. Apparently now have an “urgent callback” so should get one within 24 hours
Utterly useless. Was supposed to travel on Monday, had to re book to July at £600 cost or else I’d lose the whole holiday. God knows if I’ll even have my passport by July.
Depends on which office but from what I’ve seen roughly around 6 weeks.
Mines been processing since the 1st April at Durham so 5 weeks in and it’s not with an examiner yet
Do you know which office yours is at?
Times will depend on which office but from what I’ve seen most are in processing for around 6 weeks at the moment.I’d say yours should be accepted around mid May but I’d be ready to contact the upgrade team if it gets to 2 weeks before
@xgemmax82 have you used the web form to ask for tracking info? I think that’s what they say to do for post office check and send. I know they take forever to answer through that though.
The number I’ve been using is 03001231973, I think it’s direct to the Liverpool office so you don’t have to press buttons at the start. I’ve heard it works better for some people who get cut off on the main line.
Typed up a big reply earlier but it didn’t post 😑
Basically how long you wait will be down to whether your application goes into manual processing (“Application being processed” on the tracker). It can add around 6 weeks to your application.
I’m in the same boat as you with a first adult passport. Website said it would be 4 weeks at the time and it’s been almost 9 weeks now. Submitted everything on the 5th March, went into processing on the 1st April. 5 weeks processing so far and told today it’s still waiting for an examiner. From what I’ve seen with other peoples applications processing is around 6 weeks currently.
All first adult passports need an interview if you’ve not had a passport before. Not reached that point with mine yet but I’ve been told it’s going to be through Microsoft teams and they’ll contact me telling me to ring up and arrange. Not sure when they’re going to start doing them in person again.
First passports also can’t get the 2 week before travel upgrade (had to rebook my holiday for 16th May now at £600 cost even though I allowed 10 weeks 3 days). On the phone to them today though they said they can “escalate” it at the 10 week mark, not sure if that will speed it up or not but guess I’ll see next week. Won’t help me with 3 days spare but might help you if it comes to that.
I’m in the same boat and it could go either way really. If your application avoids manual processing (“Application being processed” on the tracker) then you’ll be fine, you’re in for a bit of a wait if not.
I’m almost 9 weeks in so far after the website told me it would take 4 weeks.
I applied on the 5th March then went into processing on the 1st April. Currently processing for 5 weeks, from what I’ve seen of other people 6 weeks processing is about average.
They will also invite you for an interview as it’s a first passport although mines not even reached that stage yet. Was told it would be through Microsoft teams, not sure when they’re going back to in person ones.
Upgrades aren’t available for first time adult passports but I was told on the phone today that they can “escalate” it but only after 10 weeks, not entirely sure if that will speed it up but guess I’ll find out next week.
I’ve seen some people need to confirm identity 3 different times, sometimes they aren’t valid, sometimes they don’t like the answers given and other times they just want extra confirmation.
If you can, I’d just get someone else to confirm as the passport office wont actually tell you why it was declined
