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:
Peterborough
Submission Date:
2022-08-29
Date Received:
2022-09-14
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-09-23
Date Received:
2022-10-03
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Peterborough
Submission Date:
2022-09-14
Date Received:
2022-10-03
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Really fast, only update I didn’t receive was tracking info from DHL, it just randomly turned up.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-09-21
Date Received:
2022-09-23
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2022-05-12
Date Received:
2022-09-17
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Submission Date:
2022-09-27
Date Received:
2022-10-03
Overall Experience:
Please Rate out of 5
Comments:
Thanks to this website was able to know the actual waiting times which was very helpful. Not at all clear why the GOV renewal website cannot display actual waiting times. Perhaps they want people to go for the fast track option and spend more.
Lost or Stolen Passport Application
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-08-30
Date Received:
2022-09-19
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
I kept on calling for updates. Nothing to say that calling helped, but I believe it did.
1st Child Passport
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-09-02
Date Received:
2022-10-01
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
I emailed them a few times as I needed the passport for next week. They did say there is no guarantee but times are quicker than it says on their website. Newborn baby and took under 5 weeks to get the passport. Baby is almost 6 weeks old. It’s possible just a bit stressful if you’ve already paid for a holiday.
Child Renewal
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-09-03
Date Received:
2022-10-03
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Overseas Passport Application
Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2022-08-17
Date Received:
2022-09-19
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2022-08-30
Date Received:
2022-10-02
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
I am very happy with the online service. Very comprehensive, and the alerts at every stage were FAB. I had my photograph taken at a photo studio, because I’m old school like that. My application took 33 days – the estimate was 70 days – less than half the expected time. I applied from Toronto, Canada, and the slowest part was Canada Post (naturally)! I applied on August 30 and sent my old UK passport and a photocopy of my Canadian passport, the next day by registered mail. My documents were received two weeks later on the September 15. My passport was approved 11 days later, and printed the following day. DHL delivered it in four days, one day earlier than my notification indicated – and surprisingly on a Sunday! I didn’t think DHL delivered at the weekend, but I got a text 40 minutes before arrival and then a two-minute warning phone call from the delivery man. The biggest hassle was photocopying (and clipping to size) all 36 pages of my Canadian passport, even though I only had one lowly stamp. I hear it’s to check that dual citizens aren’t using a second passport to visit suspect places known for nefarious activities (terrorism).
Passport received 13:02pm 2 October 2022 (Sunday!)
Passport sent via DHL 5:33am 28 September 2022
Passport printed 6:39am on 27 September 2022
Application approved 2:44pm on 26 September 2022
Documents received 11:14am on 15 September 2022
Old UK passport & photocopy of Canadian passport posted 15:03pm on 31 August 2022
Application received 5:17am on 30 August 2022
Application submitted 5:17am on 30 August 2022
Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2022-05-01
Date Received:
2022-09-20
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Painfully slow unresponsive system. Took 2 long phone calls in early September to move things along.
It appears that oversees applicants are the lowest priority.
Following this experience after 35 years of living as a UK expat I am now applying for US citizenship