1st Adult Passport
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Submission Date:
2022-03-03
Date Received:
Not Received
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Still waiting after nearly 20 weeks. Being transferred round on the phones to multiple people who can’t help and constantly asked if I have travel booked in the next 2 weeks – why would I book a flight if I don’t have my passport! Was given a number for the team that is processing my application, but the number doesn’t work. So now have to wait for god knows how long for them to call me back!
Such a nightmare and I’ve had to let others down with travel plans over the last 6 months.
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-06-18
Date Received:
2022-07-04
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Couldn’t have been easier.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-05-09
Date Received:
2022-07-26
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Three weeks ago I used the government tracking system and was informed that my passport was ready for posting. I waited for another week and was surprised that I had not received it so I used the tracking system again only to be told that they had no application from me but later sent an e mail stating that it was being processed. So tracking system is not exactly reliable or much use! three different answers to the same question.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-05-05
Date Received:
2022-07-25
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
It took almost 12 weeks to process my adult renewal application. I needed to request for the application to be expedited after 10 weeks of waiting and 2 weeks before my family holiday.
I sent numerous emails to different teams in HMPO and contacted my MP.
I was contacted by the Belfast passport office 72 hours before my flight and arranged to collect my new passport from my local office in London the same day it was approved.
A positive end but a stressful process.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-07-18
Date Received:
2022-07-26
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Can’t believe how quick it was. Lots of updates too.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-06-24
Date Received:
2022-07-05
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Passport received quickly but the old passport which had visa’s in took a further 3 weeks to arrive I think this was because I paid for secure delivery as it had my visa stamps in it
Someone else I know got his passport and old one back within a few days of each other and did not pay for secure delivery
So I paid for additional stress worrying about it as I need the visa’s.
Lost or Stolen Passport Application
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Submission Date:
2022-05-19
Date Received:
2022-07-26
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
The experience was awful, told something different every time I contacted them. One lady in the messenger service was rude and almost said I was lying when I questioned the different information I received. I had to get MP involved.
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Submission Date:
2022-04-16
Date Received:
2022-07-26
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Woefully slow service. 14 weeks and 2 days from applying until I actually received my passport. Once the 10-week deadline had passed, I rang pretty much every Friday for an update. At first, I was told there was nothing more they could tell me. Subsequently, I was told it was with the “escalation team”, then with an Officer of HMPO in Durham. Eventually, I was told that I should be “upgraded” to a free priority service, and I was given an email address that I had to contact with my application details and the date I was planning to fly. This part of the process worked well – I sent my email on a Friday and received my passport the following Tuesday.
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Submission Date:
2022-06-17
Date Received:
2022-07-26
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Submitted 17 June text confirming approval 23 July, text stating printed awaiting delivery 24 July and arrived 26 July.
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Submission Date:
2022-06-09
Date Received:
2022-07-26
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
I was scared when I was hearing about everyone’s passport waiting times but mine was fairly fast. I forgot to add my lost passport reference number so I emailed them to add it at the start of July – which they then added. I’m going to Ibiza at the end of August, so I’m happy with the amount of time it took.
1st Child Passport
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-06-23
Date Received:
2022-07-26
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Applied on the 23rd of June (2022) – twice as we have twins so will submit this again as they’re separate applications – did it all online and used our phone to take the photo. No issues – passports received today – both arrive today on the 26/07/2022 at 8am.
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-06-23
Date Received:
2022-07-26
Overall Experience:
Please Rate out of 5
Comments:
Applied on the 23rd of June (2022) – twice as we have twins so will submit this again as they’re separate applications – did it all online and used our phone to take the photo. No issues – passports received today – both arrive today on the 26/07/2022 at 8am.
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-05-14
Date Received:
Not Received
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Applied via post office check and send. Took Durham office 23 days to say they have received it and have done nothing since. They say they received it 1 June so until it’s been 10 weeks they aren’t bothered and said I should of allowed 10 Weeks
it’s Been 11.5 weeks but they don’t count the 16 days it’s taken to acknowledge they received it. So be warned. Going to miss the holiday. Get told different things when speaking to them but no call backs. Shocking service
Sad state of affairs.
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-06-19
Date Received:
2022-07-26
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Arrived much quicker than expected.
Passport printed 5:04am on 25 July 2022
Application approved 2:58pm on 22 July 2022
Documents received 2:41pm on 28 June 2022
Application received 9:19pm on 20 June 2022
Identity details received 9:19pm on 20 June 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 2:30pm on 19 June 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity 2:28pm on 19 June 2022
Application submitted 2:28pm on 19 June 2022
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-06-23
Date Received:
2022-07-26
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Relatively easy online service; prompt text updates and only took just over a month.
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-06-08
Date Received:
2022-06-08
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Still no passport, due to travel in 6 days. HMPO confirm there has been a data leak with customers email addresses. They have been involved in phishing / scam email communications and that is why there are huge delays.
PWT Editor Note:
Has anyone else been told this? If you have please leave comments below.
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-06-08
Date Received:
2022-07-12
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
I was nervous that I would have problems because of all the reports of delays. I was equally nervous about the return of our supporting documents, as I had to submit my husband’s passport and resident permit showing our settled status to ensure eligibility for our baby daughter’s UK passport. But the timeline went like this:
8 June: submitted passport application
8 June: supporting documents sent via special delivery
24 June: notice confirming document approved
8 July: notice of passport approval
11 July: notice of passport printed
12 July: passport received via TNT
14 July: supporting documents returned via Royal Mail
All in all, the process was very streamlined and only took a few days over a month from application to having the passport in-hand. Worth flagging that the supporting documents came after the actual passport, but only by a few days.
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-05-01
Date Received:
2022-07-25
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Lack of communication. Lack of service until I went to Peterborough office 48 hrs before travel and asked them to help.
Child Renewal
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-05-28
Date Received:
2022-07-26
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
Child renewal
28/05/22 submitted manual form at Post Office using check and send
06/06/22 received a text saying application received
And then no further updates
26/07/22 early morning received a text from TNT stating delivery from Passport Office; passport then delivered on same day
8 weeks in total (inc. HM Jubilee Holidays)
Hope this helps others to define timing, this website has helped me with my expectations on the same.
Best of luck.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-06-29
Date Received:
2022-07-26
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
Took a long time to process but once approved – delivered next day.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-05-13
Date Received:
Not Received
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Extremely poor service.
I sent up to 30 emails requesting an update and still no passport for child renewal which is pretty straightforward.
The passport office does not read the emails as the answers to my question were generic replies.
Utterly terrible and ineffective service. Im still waiting for my passport over 10 weeks ago…
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-05-06
Date Received:
2022-07-15
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Had to travel from Fleetwood to Glasgow to collect as was 48 hours until Travel.
However Glasgow Passport Office we’re efficient and friendly and they actually rang me as I was outside in the queue to say it was ready. Once in Glasgow it was a streamline good service however the few weeks before this were so stressful.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-07-18
Date Received:
2022-07-26
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
2 child renewals. Forms completed online. No need for photos to be verified. Old passports sent away 1st class recorded a week ago. Updated by text and email throughout and new passports arrived this morning.
1st Adult Passport
It seems we are not alone. My wife’s application for her first British Passport thas been the HMPO Durham for 12 weeks now. As with the previous post it is incredibly frustrating and emotionally draining waiting for the SMS advising that its on its way back out to her.
Calls to the Helpline are generally well managed but lead absolutely nowhere to the point where we are kept hanging as redirected call do not get answered. Its merely a placatory measure put in place by HMPO presumably to make sure they meet KPIs for managing queries.
We are also asked about upcoming travel that may expedite the applcation but we aren’t booking until we get the passport and first adult passport are exempt from expediting anyway.
I was advised at one point by the helpline that we should expect it by 3rd August which was a call this agent could not make serving only to raise our hope then subsequently have them dashed which was cruel.
We have now put this to our MP in the hope he holds some sway over the process but I’m not holding my breath.
They received my daughters old passport on 6 June. Yesterday they approved it and printed it. Today it was delivered. Passport office was Belfast and I live in London