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 With Interview
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2022-08-08
Date Received:
2022-09-29
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2022-08-04
Date Received:
2022-10-05
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
I applied for the British National Overseas passport from a European country. Took exactly two months from the beginning to end. The documents were marked as received quite quickly, I had hope for a quick turnaround. Turned out it still took a total of 8 weeks. A bit disappointing. I sent them some important documents too so I was worried throughout the past two months.
Passport printed 1:05am on 4 October 2022
Application approved 11:45am on 1 October 2022
Documents received 11:36am on 10 August 2022
Application received 2:21pm on 4 August 2022
Application submitted 2:20pm on 4 August 2022
I am glad to finally get my new passport, but I am now starting to worry when I will get the old passport and other important documents back. HMPO says “Your documents will arrive separately and could take up to 3 weeks to arrive.” I heard some people say they can arrive the next day, but I am not getting any SMS notification of any parcel coming tomorrow.
Has anyone been through this before? What should I expect?
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-09-18
Date Received:
2022-10-06
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Great experience, really fast!!
Passport delivered 6th October
Application approved on 4 October
Documents received 22 September
Documents sent 20th
Application submitted 18 September
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-09-20
Date Received:
2022-10-06
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
I was under 2 names changing to one after marriage just a renewal and still was easy enough.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Glasgow
Submission Date:
2022-09-29
Date Received:
2022-10-06
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Hadn’t even sent off the old passport until Monday so it was unbelievably quick!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-09-15
Date Received:
2022-10-06
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
Took exactly 3 weeks from sending off my old passport to getting my new one in hand. From docs received to approved took 16 days.
Application submitted 8:29am on 15 September 2022
Application received 8:30am on 15 September 2022
Posted on 15th September using a standard 1st class stamp – Luckily 5 minutes before the postman came
Documents received 1:44pm on 20 September 2022
Application approved 7:25pm on 4 October 2022
Passport printed 3:53am on 5 October 2022
Passport Received via TNT 06/10/2022
I cant complain too much, but the process is a bit stressful. Especially for someone with anxiety problems. My suggestion to HMPO would be: add more statuses/updates to the tracker. Perhaps Docs received -> Application being processed -> Application approved. Just to give people that peace of mind that its actually in the queue and being looked at.
It can be a bit disheartening when you see people sending there apps off after yours and getting their passport back weeks before you do. The queues seem to be handled now and the 10 weeks is just extreme cases. I wonder if some of the stress/anxiety is caused by the media picking up on the few bad cases.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-09-04
Date Received:
2022-09-20
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-08-04
Date Received:
2022-09-01
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Was surprised how quick this was online I live in Northern Ireland and mine was sent to Liverpool.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2022-09-19
Date Received:
2022-10-06
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Applied on 19th September. Had my photo taken at the Post Office and they applied details on a tablet (online) I had a message from the Passport office on 4th Oct saying that my photo had failed approval! Went to a photo booth and had photos taken and applied the digital code on the passport website. It was approved in minutes and I got my passport delivered 2 days later. I was offered a refund for the additional payment to the post office for the mistake they made with my photo. I was kept informed at every step which was fantastic. Very efficient service – 18 days in total. Well happy!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-09-17
Date Received:
2022-10-06
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Used premium return service for old passport. Has not arrived yet.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-09-21
Date Received:
2022-10-06
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-09-28
Date Received:
2022-10-03
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Simple, straight forward & very quick
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-10-03
Date Received:
2022-10-06
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Expected to wait at least ten weeks, but three days it took!
I was informed every step of the way, saying you received my application, then approved it and said it was being printed and forwarded to the delivery office and I would receive it in a few days….I got it the same day you sent me the last text!
Amazing service and contact information throughout…exceptional, well done, many thanks!!
1st Child Passport
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-03-01
Date Received:
2022-04-29
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Child Renewal
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-09-14
Date Received:
2022-10-03
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-09-04
Date Received:
2022-09-20
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-09-22
Date Received:
2022-10-06
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
1 Week Fast Track Application
Type of Application:
1 Week Fast Track Service
Passport Office:
Peterborough
Submission Date:
2022-09-30
Date Received:
2022-10-06
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very streamlined process. Was at the passport office for all of 30 minutes, my photo was checked and I was given a receipt and told to expect it within the next 8 days. Heard nothing for the next 5 until i got a text saying my passport will be with me within the next few working days. The next day, I woke up having had it posted through my door early that morning.
Overseas Passport Application
Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2022-08-13
Date Received:
2022-10-07
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Type of Application:
First UK Passport (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2022-07-31
Date Received:
2022-10-05
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy