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 (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-09-21
Date Received:
2022-10-13
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
No issues – very quick
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Submission Date:
2022-09-24
Date Received:
2022-10-11
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
London
Submission Date:
2022-09-26
Date Received:
2022-10-10
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Submission Date:
2022-09-09
Date Received:
2022-09-16
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Applied on a Friday using Max Spielman’s e-service. New passport received the following Friday. Kept informed by Passport Office by email and text. [Sadly I signed the passport in the wrong place and decided to re-apply because I could not get much sense out of HMPO’s customer service about whether it would be valid if I signed it again.)
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Submission Date:
2022-09-09
Date Received:
2022-09-16
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very easy process via a well known photo processing shop.
Applied on a Friday and received my new passport the following Friday.
Kept informed via text and email.
Sadly I signed my new passport in the wrong place and as the Passport Office Customer Services provided conflicting advice about whether it would be valid if I re-signed it, I re-applied.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-09-23
Date Received:
2022-10-12
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-09-27
Date Received:
2022-10-12
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
I still can’t believe how quick the whole process was. Passport office was Corby.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-09-26
Date Received:
2022-10-11
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Could not complain – no dramas
Lost or Stolen Passport Application
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-09-08
Date Received:
2022-10-13
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
After submitting the online application we decided to cancel it and do fast track instead. We sent the cancellation request and they told us it would take 2 to 3 weeks. After several phone calls to the passport office, they confirmed the application would soon be canceled
Still, no confirmation of the canceled application but I booked an appointment for the fast track anyway
Two days before we were due to have the fast track appointment, the passport office rang us saying the original online application is ready so we should receive the passport soon – Fast track appointment canceled
Passport received today
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-09-20
Date Received:
2022-10-13
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Having received a new passport on 16 Sept, I signed it in the wrong place. The Passport Office’s Customer Services gave me conflicting advice about whether it would be valid if re-signed it correctly. Therefore, to be safe, I re-applied under the “damaged” passport route, using the e-application method and the photo from my original application which was done for me by that well-known photo processing chain.
It took longer than the original application, but I now have it. I was kept informed by email throughout, but did not get as many text messages as I did for my original application which went to Hemel Hempstead.
Total calendar days = 24 days
1st Child Passport
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-02-23
Date Received:
2022-10-13
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Child Renewal
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-24
Date Received:
2022-05-12
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Applied online with a photo I took myself on an iPhone, the photo was pre-approved by the Gov website, sent the old passport by registered next day delivery and was lucky the whole process was dealt with amazingly quickly, just under 3 weeks from start to finish. The passport was processed at the Peterborough Office.
Overseas Passport Application
Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)
Submission Date:
2022-04-15
Date Received:
Not Received.
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
I have applied and sent in my application on 4/15 it was received and i received a text saying i need to send in my old passport. That arrived in UK from USA on MAY 4th…I still as of 5/20 HAD NO UPDATE I leave mid July for international travel with my entire family who are US citizens and have passports. What must or can I do? Also has anyone been able to expedite overnight mail at least?