Feedback, experiences, timelines, tips and useful information from people that have recently been through the UK passport application process.
To submit your passport application experience click here
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2022-08-17
Date Received:
2022-09-02
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
I originally was going to get either of the faster services but the appointments were all for 2 weeks later or more. So I decided to risk it and apply with a standard application. Glad I did – saved £70-£110 and got my passport before most of the fast track appointment dates that were available.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-08-23
Date Received:
2022-09-02
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Amazing, Received my new passport only 3 days after UK passport office confirmed receipt of my old passport. I was expecting a much longer wait but the whole thing took less than ten days! Still waiting for my daughter’s renewal however.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-08-25
Date Received:
2022-09-02
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
1 week turnaround which included a bank holiday and to think I was considering the fast track service which was more than double the cost!. My old passport was sent to Corby( not an option below)
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Submission Date:
2022-08-16
Date Received:
2022-09-02
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Really quick, photo didn’t meet requirement and new pic of as approved same day. From start to finish just over 2 weeks.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-07-22
Date Received:
2022-08-31
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Was within the 10 weeks – I was advised that if it takes longer than 6 weeks and you have travel arrangements within two weeks you can submit an email to the escalated and expedited teams who will assist – I didn’t get to this stage but it was helpful information which eased concern
Lost or Stolen Passport Application
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-07-26
Date Received:
2022-09-02
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
application sent and identity received all on 26th July
application approved and passport printed on 31st August
passport received by post 2nd September
few things I did
– reported passport lost before applying
– after reading through some posts came to the conclusion a week after identity received to use use the online chat to ask to add my lost reference number to my application
-a week before application approved went back on to the online chat to ask about wait times and confirmed that I had a holiday booked in October and needed to apply for visas, was told theres not much they can do about it but as stated a week later my application was approved
– also filled in the survey on the track my application at some point during process
not sure if any of these will help this was just my process, was very surprised to have my application approved as I thought I’d be waiting well over 10 weeks but it came in 5 🙂
1st Child Passport
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-08-16
Date Received:
2022-09-02
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very straightforward.
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-06-28
Date Received:
2022-09-01
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Applied for my son’s first child passport via paper application at the Post Office at the end of June hoping it would be complete before our travel in September. The past few weeks were stressful and involved multiple follow-ups. The first time I called up at the end of July I was told the passport was ready for printing. After a couple more weeks passed and still not having received anything I called again and was told the application was still under processing! I was informed that it couldn’t be fast tracked until two weeks before travel. I followed up again at just over two weeks and requested the upgrade. Following this the passport was processed and delivered within a week – with just a week to go before travel. After reading some of the experiences I was preparing for the worst but thankful it was sorted in time.
Child Renewal
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-08-16
Date Received:
2022-09-02
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very quick and easy experience. It took a matter of minutes to apply, and only 2 weeks to receive!
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2022-08-15
Date Received:
2022-09-02
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Worried about 10 week waiting time, but thankfully arrived in 2.5 weeks. Easy straight forward process!
1 Week Fast Track Application
Type of Application:
1 Week Fast Track Service
Passport Office:
London
Submission Date:
2022-08-30
Date Received:
2022-09-02
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Booked a holiday 3 weeks ago then remembered my son’s child passport (renewing to an adults) had expired I had a minor panic moment then found your page as somebody mentioned it then went about booking an appoint initially booked in Peterborough but really wanted London for convenience. Got a notification when some London slots came up and was able to book a suitable slot. The Passport Office was extremely efficient and I probably spent less that 10 mins in there in total. The passport was delivered by courier however just put through the letterbox (that was surprising as thought someone needed to sign for it) 3 days later. Our holiday is in another 6 days so relieved. Thank you for providing a great service!
Type of Application:
1 Week Fast Track Service
Passport Office:
London
Submission Date:
2022-08-24
Date Received:
2022-09-02
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
It was first passport of my child, the process was easy, but it arrived two days later than 7 days.
Overseas Passport Application
Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2022-04-11
Date Received:
2022-09-02
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Good easy application process, slowed by asking for my second passport which expired after I applied, and why I needed 2. Eventually the site was updated to say they had all my documents on 5th May. Then absolutely no update, no information for 15 weeks. Even calls to them after 10 weeks yield no information. You are simply advised to wait! But if you have travel booked in less than 2 weeks from now AND you have waited more then 10 weeks you can ask for it to be sped up…. but no guarantee!
Then suddenly I receive a text on 1st Sept to say its been approved. Another that afternoon to say it’s been printed and despatched! And finally it arrived yesterday by courier.
Like London busses, none for ages then 3 at once, as they say!
Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2022-08-12
Date Received:
2022-09-02
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Really impressed. Exactly 3 weeks from applying to receiving my new passport. This was an online application from Ireland. Timeline below:
Passport printed 7:20am on 31 August 2022
Application approved 10:20am on 30 August 2022
Documents received 4:37pm on 17 August 2022
Application received 3:12pm on 12 August 2022
Application submitted 3:11pm on 12 August 2022