1st Adult Passport
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Submission Date:
2022-06-19
Date Received:
2022-07-29
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Processing done in Glasgow.
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Submission Date:
2022-07-22
Date Received:
2022-07-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Passport renewal- child to adult took 6 days with old child passport received back on day 7
Used standard process, not fast track.
Type of Application:
2 x First UK Adult Passport
Submission Date:
2022-05-28
Date Received:
2022-06-07 (1 Received, 1 Not Received)
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
We have been waiting for her first adult passport. We submitted two at the same time and got one back in 5 days and we are waiting for one. We fly on the 20th August are we going to miss out holiday because of this. We would love to know as it is our first holiday in 3 years.
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-07-23
Date Received:
2022-07-29
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Used online form with fresh digital photo option. Took six days including a Sunday. Could hardly have been any quicker and has left me somewhat astonished.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-07-24
Date Received:
2022-07-29
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Unbelievably quick through the online process. 5 days from application submission.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-06-29
Date Received:
2022-07-28
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
My application was actually a damaged replacement (doesn’t give the option to select that on here)
Really wasn’t holding out much hope to get it before my holiday but was pleasantly surprised when it arrived.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-05-01
Date Received:
2022-07-30
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Had to contact via telephone and email at the 10 week (from time they received old passport, not from actually applying) mark. Had travel booked within 2 weeks at that point. Then had to phone and email again 48hrs later, having not had the promised response. Was finally contacted another 48hrs later to confirm application was approved and it would be sent out later in the day with guaranteed next day delivery. Arrived in the post as promised, 6 days before travel. Very much doubt if I hadn’t chased it, it would not have arrived in time. Stress I could have done without.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-07-11
Date Received:
2022-07-15
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Incredibly quick service
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-07-22
Date Received:
2022-07-29
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Even including the return of my old passport.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-07-21
Date Received:
2022-07-27
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Renewal via a Post Office branch in London, just walked in. Cost £96.50 (incl £5 express delivery). They took passport photo of me. Had to supply name, address, email and old (chipped) passport which was 3 years out of date. Received regular email updates from Passport Office. Have not made mistake with dates, it really was 6 days.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-07-20
Date Received:
2022-07-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Post office completed digital application for me and took photograph. Then sent old passport special delivery. 20th July.
Application approved 25th July
Printed 26th July
Delivered 28th July.
I was updated every step of the way.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-07-25
Date Received:
2022-07-29
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Online renewal application submitted on Monday (very easy), regular status updates through the week , new passport received on Friday the same week.
I know some people have had horrendous experiences, but mine could not have been better . . .
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-07-23
Date Received:
2022-07-29
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Used a photo shop and ordered online and sent old passport by 1st class mail to be signed for.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-07-14
Date Received:
2022-07-27
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Passport printed5:51am on 22 July 2022 Application approved3:59pm 21 July 2022 Documents received5:07pm on 20 July 2022 Application received5:04pm on 14 July 2022 Application submitted5:03pm 14 July 2022
So impressed, after reading experiences of those who applied apr/may & still waiting I was worried! Couldn’t believe the turnaround. Literally printed 2 days after receiving my old one. I’m a citizen that applied online from rep.of Ireland, went to Durham. As happy as I am to have got it so quickly, it’s highly unfair to those applied before me.
Whole process very quick, application took about 5/10 mins. Love how you get feedback on photo before you submit so you know if it will be accepted. I took mine myself.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-07-22
Date Received:
2022-07-29
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Standard application, not fast tracked. Completed online.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-02
Date Received:
2022-07-15
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
It took over 3 months to get my passport. You can’t track it at all and you can’t enquire about it either. You have to send your old passports so basically you are left without any form of ID as I don’t have a driver’s license.
Lost or Stolen Passport Application
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Submission Date:
2022-06-15
Date Received:
2022-07-29
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Buckle in… this one’s a doozy.
Timeline as follows:
14/06/2022 – Discover Passport for under 16yo Son is missing. We’d only had it 6 months.
15/06/2022 – Cancelled said passport – DIDN’T RECEIVE A LOST PASSPORT NUMBER, SHOULD’VE
15/06/2022 – Submitted new application for new passport to replace the lost one.
15/06/2022 – Identity confirmed
Then silence.
We started chasing on the 11th July as there had been no progress. Summary:
1. Calls to the 0300 number are fruitless unless you get someone who is genuinely engaged in your issue. Across nearly 20 calls, only 2 people listened and escalated our calls – one for a call back and one put us through to the Customer Support Management Team. Keep calling back, if you get a muppet, hang up and start again. Always opt for option 8… option 3 and then you get a human.
2. Using the online chat is useless. Don’t waste your time.
3. Escalation calls come to from a call handling organisation, and they will give you all of the same information that the 0300 team does, and then “put you through” to the Customer Support Management Team. Get comfy, don’t need to be anywhere, as you’ll hold for hours…
4. Don’t bother contacting your MP – they will literally not get anywhere.
5. If you get through to the Customer Support Management Team, ask them for the email address of the upgrade team at the office that your passport is being processed at. You can apply for an upgrade at 6 weeks from your original application date, and if you’re travelling within 14 days.
6. Email your date of travel, with proof, with your application number and a contact number that you have access to between 8am and 8pm to the upgrade team email address.
7. Now you wait. Don’t expect movement immediately. We waited 26 hours for the call back.
8. Now for some praise. When they called back, bloody hell did they get the earth moving.
27/07/2022 – Upgrade Application made
28/07/2022 – Upgrade call received, upgrade paid for – £102 for a lost childs passport in addition.
28/07/2022 – 10.03 – New Picture required.
28/07/2022 – 10.26 – New Picture Submitted
28/07/2022 – 12.42 – Application Approved
28/07/2022 – 14.52 – Passport Printed
29/07/2022 – 10.00 – Passport Collected from Peterborough Office.
While the whole process was massively stressful, its probably important to remember that these offices were stripped of staff during Covid, like a lot of industries. The problem is, our Government won’t spend on the important things, like roads, passport offices, schools, the NHS etc all the while Caviar and Champagne tastes so nice and hedge funds are so attractive.
One last thing – be persistent. Be belligerent and learn the process – shouting and screaming will get you kicked off of calls.
Good luck.
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Submission Date:
2022-04-26
Date Received:
2022-07-22
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
I submitted my application using the check and send service and waited 3 weeks before chasing it up, as per the advice on the government website. I sent off my information and waited for a response but ended up filling out the form multiple times in an attempt to get an update on my application. I called the advice line and was told that they had limited information and would have to transfer me to the correct team of people who could tell me more. I never spoke to these people despite the number of calls I made or call-backs I was promised. I ended up phoning again 10 weeks after my application was sent off and I was told I could expedite my passport for free since it had been so long, but when I was put through to the processing team I was left on hold for over 2 hours. When I next spoke to someone I was told I could fast track my application but for over £100, so I decided to wait even longer. Eventually I phoned when I had a flight booked and was told that the office that had my application would phone me back in order to confirm my flight and get my details so that my application could be processed quicker. I never received this call but my passport was delivered a few days later.
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Submission Date:
2022-05-12
Date Received:
2022-12-31
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
13 weeks – still no passport, due to travel in one week and escalated services have been emailed twice as advised by passport contact centre but NO response.
Nobody who I speak to has any empathy and all I’m told is will have to wait/ call back/ someone will call back but nothing!
1st Child Passport
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-06-27
Date Received:
2022-07-29
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Application submitted received 27/6
Documents received 4/7
Application Approved 28/7
Passport Received 29/7
Child Renewal
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-06-18
Date Received:
2022-07-30
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Had to request additional fast track at 42 days
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-05-05
Date Received:
2022-07-29
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Thankfully I was called this morning telling me that I could collect from London office this afternoon. Have been waiting 12 weeks, no same day appointments or ability to fast track. We fly in less than 36 hours – the whole family would have not been able to travel and we are mega stressed. Communication with HMPO is abysmal, phone calls cut out or are muffled.
What is going on in this country?
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-06-18
Date Received:
2022-07-20
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
I have applied for a passport renewal for my son. I took a picture of him myslef that was accepted online prior submitting the application.
The process was very quick and easy. The passport arrived in 5 weeks.
I have received regular updates on email and SMS. Great service.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-07-03
Date Received:
2022-08-01
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
I applied for my daughters renewal not knowing the current passport delays which in all honesty is appalling. I’m Portuguese and applied for my documents in the Portuguese Consulate and both came within 2 – 3 weeks. The UK with several Home Office sites has delays of 10 or more weeks. But going back to my experience which was horrendous. I tried the fast track first but had no luck in getting an appointment in London or neighbouring areas that I had to apply online. I then 10 days after I was able to get an appointment in London which I paid £127 that I could not attend because I had an online application open. i asked for this be cancelled but was told it has to be done in writing and it could take up to 3 weeks for the cancellation to be processed and another 2 – 3 weeks to get her old passport back. I explained that I had plain ticket to fly home and needed her passport to arrive before we go…but the help desk could not do anything for me. Monday the 25th I filed a complaint and once they got back to me which as the next week, they request for me to provide proof of flights which I did, just to be told the same dang thing!! my last resort was emailing my local MP who I must say, responded to be within days. They emailed the HO on my behalf and 24hour later my application was approved. was it because of the MP Office assistance or the Universe listened to my prayers? Either way I am very grateful that the application has been approved and that the passport should be with us within the next few days. My heart goes out to everyone who is going through this and needs their passport to travel
Status Date
Passport printed 3:21am on 29 July 2022
Application approved 2:19pm on 28 July 2022
Documents received 9:32am on 12 July 2022
Application received 10:17pm on 3 July 2022
Identity details received 10:16pm on 3 July 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 5:25pm on 3 July 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity 5:17pm on 3 July 2022
Application submitted
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-05-11
Date Received:
2022-07-29
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
My ex wife submitted my daughter’s renewal (child passport) on 11/05/2022, with flights booked at that time to fly on 30/07/2022.
Not sure if the 10 week minimum was in place at that time, but if it was it was cutting it close. She’s tried to get it escalated, because she was flying home to Czech and her mum was quite ill – in hospital in April this year.
This is the application history from the passport website:
Passport printed – 11:26am on 28 July 2022
Application approved – 9:34am on 28 July 2022
Documents received – 3:42pm on 17 May 2022
Application received – 12:46pm on 11 May 2022
Identity details received – 12:45pm on 11 May 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity – 11:58am on 11 May 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity – 11:54am on 11 May 2022
Application submitted 11:54am on – 11 May 2022
She got a doctor’s letter from Czech advising her to get the grandchild there, paid for it to be translated, sent all that off, spoken almost daily to the 1st line call people, who just seem to pass messages on.
Had one call back from the escalation team to say they’ll call within 48 hours, but then never do and she’s on the edge of a nervous breakdown.
Eventually after calling daily it got approved and posted, within hours of us needing to head off on the airport run.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-07-20
Date Received:
2022-07-28
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
There was an issue with his photos as you can clearly see his wheelchair handles and also he wasn’t looking straight at the camera. There’s a drop down bar asking why you think the photo should be accepted. I explained his disabilities and the pic was accepted on second try. I was kept updated as to how far the application was going. Received text saying application was accepted, then that passport was printed and would be sent in the next few days. It arrived on the 28th of July. Applied on line, all in all took 9 days. Had panic stations as we only realised his passport was out of the the weekend before. Will definitely do the passports renewal on line for rest of family. I really liked the way I was kept updated the whole way through, it definitely reduced the anxiety I was feeling.
Overseas Passport Application
Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)
Submission Date:
2022-04-12
Date Received:
2022-07-29
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
It had been very stressful because there was absolutely no transparency in the process. Our application basically sat untouched in Durham until it almost hit week 13. We were notified that they rejected the photo and they wanted a copy of the passport of our identity details confirmer. After we sent everything they asked for immediately, we had to wait 10 days until the tracker finally said the application was approved. And then silence again until yesterday my partner got a code from DHL to pick up his passport. The HMPO really needs to have a better way to update people on progress. This is the reason why many people are panicking and start bombarding them with emails and calls. They can’t ask for people to not call or email them when there is no information. The HMPO really needs to figure this out, considering other countries seem to have zero problem in doing this.