Feedback, experiences, timelines, tips and useful information from people that have recently been through the UK passport application process.
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1st Adult Passport
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Liverpool
Submission Date:
2022-05-05
Date Received:
2022-08-02
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Documents received 23 May and no notification until after I send many inquiries via email and text after I reached my 10 week post application time. Found Facebook groups who posted helpful phone numbers and expedite and escalate email addresses. Only reason I didn’t rank this as 1-very stressful is because I didn’t have immediately pending travel. FYI As a dual citizen, and with elderly parents and my own children studying abroad, I kept my other passport and send a certified copy of it enabling myself to always be able to travel if it became necessary. Re-entry to UK may require extra time to research that I have a UK passport application in process. I am so relieved to finally have my UK passport in hand.
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-06-30
Date Received:
2022-08-02
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
I was apprehensive about how long this would take given all the various experiences on this website and the 10 week estimate on the HMPO guidelines but was pleasantly surprised when my passport arrived just over a month later. The wait time between Documents received and application approved made me very anxious and I wish that there were more updates between these events (i.e. documents being reviewed, etc) but once the application was approved the speed of printing and delivery of passport was very quick. Now hoping that documents will follow soon as I need my naturalisation certificate and original non-British passport back as it has important visas in it.
Passport printed 12:29am on 2 August 2022
Application approved 3:57pm on 29 July 2022
Documents received 12:15pm on 5 July 2022
Application received 1:00pm on 30 June 2022
Identity details received 12:59pm on 30 June 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 12:39pm on 30 June 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity 12:37pm on 30 June 2022
Application submitted 12:37pm on 30 June 2022
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool
Submission Date:
2022-07-09
Date Received:
2022-07-16
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
After hearing from others their experience on waiting time for applications sent in April, taking 3 months for passport to arrive after intervention from their local MP. I became concern for a break to Munich i had planned for September was not going to happen.
Renewal online was fantastic, used my phone to take a headshot of myself with the help my son, cropped it and uploaded it online. The rest of the details i picked up from my old passport.
I paid extra for the tracker service and postal service. Throughout the whole process i received up to date notification of where my application was in the process.
Overall much better experience from when i renewed my passport 10 years ago.
And yes, my dates are correct and true…!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Peterborough
Submission Date:
2022-05-21
Date Received:
2022-07-26
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
I only got my passport because I chased and chased and travelled to Peterborough to get it.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2022-07-13
Date Received:
2022-08-02
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
I sent my passport from New Zealand hence why it took a week to be received, but from receipt to printing it took 2 days. Arrived into NZ on 2nd August.
Passport printed 10:47pm on 22 July 2022
Application approved 2:19pm on 21 July 2022
Documents received 3:05pm on 20 July 2022
Application received 1:10am on 13 July 2022
Application submitted 1:09am on 13 July 2022
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2022-05-12
Date Received:
2022-07-27
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
I had to make over a dozen phone calls and sent two emails before finally getting my passport renewal processed, printed and delivered. After holding my application for over 10 weeks the level of customer service only got better right at the end when I got within 1 week of travel. Generally the third party company who are handling all initial passport office enquiries are of no help when you are trying to get information as to what live stage your application is at. I will never use the paper forms application process again as I am sure they prioritise online applications based and friend’s recent turnaround times using the online method.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool
Submission Date:
2022-06-26
Date Received:
2022-08-01
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
Applied 26th June, no update on application to say old passport receive until week of 18th July.
Another update on the 29th July to say it’s been printed.
Passport arrived on 1st August.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Glasgow
Submission Date:
2022-06-21
Date Received:
2022-07-04
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Passport went to Glasgow took 2 weeks renewal. My husband renewal is still waiting for his as it went to Peterborough.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-07-27
Date Received:
2022-08-02
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Cannot fault the service. Was expecting long wait times and the possibility of not being able to go on holiday. Applied online using photo with code from local photographer. Sent old passport back same day by special delivery. New passport arrived 4 working days after they received it. I’m speechless! Was kept well informed of whole process by regular text and emails.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Newport
Submission Date:
2022-05-01
Date Received:
2022-08-02
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Missed a family wedding in Rhodes. Contacted local MP who were helpful. Customer services fobbed me off saying it was being printed but it was not. Horrible experience. Omnishambles. Sent to Newport but ended up in Durham. Finally printed in Liverpool
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool
Submission Date:
2022-02-27
Date Received:
Not Received
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
I still haven’t managed to receive my passport and support documents. I have tried all possible ways to follow up for months but no response from the Liverpool Office. Please help, I’m left in the dark
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Peterborough
Submission Date:
2022-07-26
Date Received:
2022-08-01
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Went to Max Spielmann in the local Tesco and let them handle it. Don’t know if that has anything to do with the speed (suspect not), but the whole experience was very simple. This was basic UK passport renewal, with no enhanced service from the Passport Office. From start to delivery took 6 days (5 days and 23 hours to be precise) including a weekend.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool
Submission Date:
2022-07-26
Date Received:
2022-08-02
Overall Experience:
Please Rate out of 5
Comments:
Excellent . Posted through the letterbox 2nd August.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
London
Submission Date:
2022-07-22
Date Received:
2022-07-29
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Super easy and fast.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Peterborough
Submission Date:
2022-07-27
Date Received:
2022-08-02
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
I applied last Wednesday online as didn’t realise passport was due to expire in Jan 2023 (rookie error). I have a holiday booked on the 31/08/22 they told me when I rang the passport office it would be take up to 10 weeks to arrive. The passport office was really helpful too can’t fault their employees who I’m sure are working under a lot of stress currently.
I would highly recommend applying online and getting passport picture done at a Digital photo shop.
My passport arrived this Morning so just 6 days from start to finish.
To say I am relieved is an understatement and incredibly thankful. I also thank people on here who said theirs had only taken a few days too.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2022-04-21
Date Received:
2022-07-30
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
I only received it on the 30th because I chose to pick it up.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-07-15
Date Received:
2022-07-22
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Applied online. Unusually fast turnaround. Black passport which I’m OK with – prefer it to Blue!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool
Submission Date:
2022-03-27
Date Received:
2022-06-07
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
My passport was sent to Liverpool office they sent to London Office who then sent to Belfast Office where it was eventually printed.
I spent hours on hold on the phone
Spoke to so many different people
Even my MP was involved .
There appeared to be no communication between departments and the help line had no authority or relevant information to hand. A total shambles.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool
Submission Date:
2022-04-10
Date Received:
2022-08-02
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Ridiculously slow! Now waiting for my supporting documents to be returned…
Lost or Stolen Passport Application
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Passport Office:
London
Submission Date:
2022-05-01
Date Received:
2022-08-02
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Applied 1st May. Didn’t send documents due to it being a lost passport. Started calling at 10 weeks and referred to expedite service. Missed a callback due to being a teacher and couldn’t answer phone. Had to chase back again. People on phone were actually very polite and sent emails but I feel they couldn’t do much. When I had two weeks before travel they referred to upgrade team. Had to call several times. Used the online web chat which was pointless. Emailed MP – they said they couldn’t do anything but make a call and actually by the time they replied to my email my application had been approved. Best option is to call the 0300 number with option 8 and 3 to speak to someone and then find out which passport office your application is with. Once you know the office, email the upgrade team directly with your proof of travel. My upgrade was approved on the 27th July and application was approved on 29th. Passport was also printed on 29th around 12 hours later. My passport arrived two days before travel on 2nd August.
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-08-09
Date Received:
2022-08-01
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
My time line:
Application submitted: 9th May 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity: 9th May 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity: 11th May 2022
Identity details received: 12th May 2022
Application Approved: 1st August 2022
Passport Printed: 1st August 2022
I am a dancer who requires a passport to work aboard cruise ships. I have had to turn many cruise contracts down because I have been waiting nearly 12 weeks to receive a lost passport. I had to keep phoning, being put through to numerous people, emailed expedite services. I did not realise that you had to link your lost passport reference number to new application. IF YOU HAVE A LOST PASSPORT APPLICATION IN THE PROCESS, MAMKE SURE YOUR HAVE REPORTED YOUR OLD PASSPORT LOST AND YOU HAVE GIVEN HMPO THE LOST REFERENCE NUMBER.
I would just recommend to anyone to just keep calling and hassling them as it seemed to work for me. I will be complaining because of waiting longer than the 10 week mark, however I really feel for those that are yet to still receive their passports who applied many months ago!
At the end of the day, they have our money so they need to be doing the service they are saying they are going to do and meet deadlines!
1st Child Passport
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Liverpool
Submission Date:
2022-05-05
Date Received:
2022-08-02
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Called helpline 19 July and learned application had been transferred from Bootle to Belfast but that it was too early to do anything as it wasn’t 10 weeks since receipt of docs. Docs were received and signed for 10 May and not logged until 18 May.
Wrote MP 22nd July, she wrote home office 25th July. I then wrote the generic expedited email address and office-specific one once reached 10 weeks since docs, 27th July.
Received call from ‘No Caller ID’ first thing on Saturday, 30th July to say they had the application and approved it. Got the notification immediately, and it was printed 4 hours later. Was told it would arrive by Royal Mail on Monday 1st, but received via TNT early on 2nd August.
Overall everyone I encountered in the process was helpful, but the additional stress and worry and having to chase while caring for a newborn compounded my experience. Might be a consideration they could show for first child passports…
Passport printed 12:43pm on 30 July 2022
Application approved 8:52am on 30 July 2022
Documents received 5:53pm on 18 May 2022
Application received 11:14pm on 6 May 2022
Identity details received 11:14pm on 6 May 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 11:46pm on 5 May 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity 4:48pm on 5 May 2022
Application submitted 4:48pm on 5 May 2022
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2022-04-07
Date Received:
Not Received
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Over 16 weeks later and a call every day, I am still not receiving my daughters passport or getting any answers. Our flight leaves next week so its very stressful
Child Renewal
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
London
Submission Date:
2022-05-02
Date Received:
2022-08-02
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
StatusDate was:
Passport printed 1:20pm on 1 August 2022
Application approved 12:02pm on 1 August 2022
Documents received 7:44pm on 17 May 2022
Application received 10:05pm on 2 May 2022
Application submitted 10:04pm on 2 May 2022
This is the timeline for my application as it appears on the tracking website: after 10 weeks I started to chase it, spending hours of phone calls, and sending emails to our MP, then requesting the expedite the team in Durham, emailing the booking evidence of the holiday, finally yesterday we received a much-waited call from London passport office that the passport is printed and available to pick up from today 2/08/2022 literally 24 hours before the flight is taking off. Too much stress on top of everything else, it took a whole 3 months to get it, appalling, incompetence, and arrogance in every level.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-05-08
Date Received:
2022-08-02
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Once your application goes over 10 weeks it’s a disaster. You’ve blighted their target so there’s no incentive for anyone to work on it. I couldn’t get a response from email and the advice line is useless. In the end I sent a letter to Thomas Grieg, Director of Passports at PO box 767, Southport PR8 9PW. I asked why new applications were being prioritised over outstanding ones despite his evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee on 20/7. Hand wrote the envelope and marked it urgent in red and for his personal attention. Received passport the day after the PO would have received my letter.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-06-04
Date Received:
2022-06-29
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Check for updates daily
Hemel Hempstead seems to be 4 working days behind Liverpool.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool
Submission Date:
2022-07-08
Date Received:
2022-08-02
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
I submitted app on 8th July. Photo identity done 10th July. Documents received 12th July. Approved 28th July, printed 29th July and in my hand on Aug 2nd.
This was the Liverpool/ bootle address that we had to send it too.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Newport
Submission Date:
2022-05-04
Date Received:
2022-08-01
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
My children and husband’s passports disappeared for 2 weeks after submission and seemed to go from Newport to Durham. Applied 4th May, not acknowledged until 18th, despite signed for document saying received on 6th May. Then could do nothing until 10 weeks had been reached for acknowledgment of documents. Very stressful as travel tomorrow. Finally got a call yesterday after multiple emails to say they were ready for printing. Why should a straight forward renewal take 11 weeks when others have received much quicker?
Overseas Passport Application
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-03-04
Date Received:
2022-07-14
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
I applied from Canada, there was no movement on the portal from documents received 4th March until the 5th of July. The lack of information was incredibly stressful.
Type of Application:
First UK Passport (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2022-02-25
Date Received:
2022-08-12
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Never apply from abroad!
No clear time line for the whole process. No responses. Waiting for hours to speak to them over the phone and eventually no result.
Almost six months of waiting and your important docs would be held with them for that long and it would take ages and many emails to get them back!!