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:
2022-07-27
Date Received:
2022-08-23
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
This was for a first adult passport after naturalisation.
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-08-08
Date Received:
2022-08-22
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
2 weeks from them receiving my old passport to it being delivered to my address. Took photo at home and uploaded via online service. Pretty easy all around.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-08-09
Date Received:
2022-08-24
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Application completed online on the 9th August. Confirmation that my application was approved on the 23rd August. On the 24th August Received a text to say my passport had been printed and they would let me know when it has been dispatched but 2 hours later it came through my letterbox. Excellent service even if it wasn’t during a time of chaos!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Glasgow
Submission Date:
2022-08-08
Date Received:
2022-08-24
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Both my own and my partner’s passports needed renewal. Got photos taken at Timpson with digital code. Applied online the same day. Partner has dual nationality and needed to send his other country’s passport as well as the expired UK passport. On submitting the application it said to send both mine and my partners documents to the same passport office. Sent them off the same day as the application submitted. Received text updates on receipt, approval and on dispatch. My passport arrived one day before my partner’s.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Glasgow
Submission Date:
2022-08-08
Date Received:
2022-08-24
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Two renewal passports (self and spouse) applied for online on the same day. Although two different passport offices were assigned, both old passports were sent to the Glasgow office by next day signed for service (this was an option on the instructions page). Both new passports have been received back the same day (16 days in total).
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Glasgow
Submission Date:
2022-08-08
Date Received:
2022-08-24
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Two renewal passports (self and spouse) applied for online on the same day. Although two different passport offices were assigned, both old passports were sent to the Glasgow office by next day signed for service (this was an option on the instructions page). Both new passports have been received back the same day (16 days in total).
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Peterborough
Submission Date:
2022-08-09
Date Received:
2022-08-24
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Submitted my passport online and uploaded my own photo.
24th August – Passport Received
24 August 2022 – Passport Printed
23 August 2022 – Application Approved
11 August 2022 – Documents Received
9 August 2022 – Application Received
9 August 2022 – Application Submitted
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Peterborough
Submission Date:
2022-06-12
Date Received:
2022-08-24
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
The passport office ignored my application until it was exactly 10 weeks since I applied. Thankfully I am a dual citizen with an Italian passport as I wouldn’t have received it in time go on my honeymoon in August.
Application history:
Passport received 11.21am on 24 August 2022
Passport printed 7:57pm on 22 August 2022
Application approved 10:54am on 21 August 2022
Documents received 11:06am on 16 June 2022
Application submitted 2:54pm on 12 June 2022
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-07-13
Date Received:
2022-08-24
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
Took 6 weeks between application submission and arriving, but arrived within one day of printing notification.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-07-19
Date Received:
2022-07-26
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
My passport was running out on 24/08/22 & I am due to fly on holiday on 03/09/22. I completed an online form for an adult passport renewal on Tuesday 19/07/22 & sent my old passport back by special delivery on the same day. I used the email & text message notification service, which told me every step of the way & was brilliant. They received my old passport on Thursday 21/07/22. They approved my application on Friday 22/07/22. They confirmed my passport was ready for printing on Saturday 23/07/22. They confirmed that my passport would be dispatched by TNT delivery service this morning (Tuesday 26/07/22) at 7.00am. Ive got home from working in the office today (Tuesday 26/07/22) & my passport has arrived. Absolutely brilliant and quick service. Thank you.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-08-08
Date Received:
2022-08-24
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Child to adult renewal with first photo rejected – 16 days in total from submission to approval.
Lost or Stolen Passport Application
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-07-07
Date Received:
2022-08-24
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
No updates until the day before it arrives so was starting to her very anxious but all worked out in the end.
1st Child Passport
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-07-28
Date Received:
2022-08-24
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
I was very nervous given that we were due to fly at the end of September and seeing all the reviews with people having to wait months. From applying to documents being received everything was updated very quickly. I was unsettled that there was no updates after documents received until the passport application had been approved and then printed. I think I was expecting an update to state when the application was in progress or something but that’s on me. Overall extremely satisfied with how quick this turnaround is, feeling very relieved and thankful that I am able to take my little boy to meet his family for the first time after all of the lockdowns and covid restrictions.
Application submitted 6:13pm on 28 July 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity 6:13pm on 28 July 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 1:13pm on 29 July 2022
Identity details received 2:42pm on 29 July 2022
Application received 2:42pm on 29 July 2022
Documents received 10:39am on 5 August 2022
Application approved 10:42am on 22 August 2022
Passport printed 12:38am on 24 August 2022
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-08-02
Date Received:
2022-08-24
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
22 days from submission to approval for first child passport.
Overseas Passport Application
Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2022-07-28
Date Received:
2022-08-24
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Extremely impressed at the turnaround speed – particularly given that this is inclusive of postage time from Australia. Documents were acknowledged as received on 5 August and printed by 18 August. I realise many haven’t had such luck, however hope this gives some optimism to those hoping for a quick turnaround.
Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2022-04-10
Date Received:
2022-08-23
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
As poor service with significant expenses and time.
Passport printed 16 August 2022
Application approved 16 August 2022
Documents received 9 May 2022
Application received 10 April 2022
The process took 15 weeks and during that time I had to buy two expensive emergency passports as I regularly visit the UK on business.
For one of the emergency passports I had to travel on a 4 hour round trip to collect in person. The service was later improved as the consulate offered a courier service for the second passport.
Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2022-05-3
Date Received:
Still waiting, no update on web site, cannot get through via phone
Overall Experience:
0
Comments:
A poor service with significant stress and inability to travel as needed.
Documents received 3 May 2022
Application received 02 April 2022
Although I’m very glad for the person in Australia who received their passport from Durham in a month but what about the rest of us.!
Why are we still waiting week after week month after month,, I’m an overseas renewal applicant, passport sent to Durham.I’ve heard nothing no updates and can get no information and no sense from the helpline.
The whole process just doesn’t make sense!!