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:
2022-06-04
Date Received:
2022-09-06
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Awful experience in particular the phone advice service.
Their system had documented a duplicate “document received” step a month later than actual so refused to acknowledge I was waiting for over 11 weeks.
eventually application was moved from Liverpool to Peterborough and I was able to request an expedited service.
In total 13 weeks.
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2022-08-15
Date Received:
2022-09-05
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Quick online renewal process using my own photo.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-08-28
Date Received:
2022-09-06
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very quick. Confirmed receipt of old passport Friday morning and was approved that night. Had an email first thing Monday to say it was being printed and then arrived the next day.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Peterborough
Submission Date:
2022-08-19
Date Received:
2022-09-06
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Got a bit stressed that it was being couriered by FedEx/TNT to my hard to access block of flats, but one call to 0345 608 0630 to instruct driver to call when outside (which he did).
Bit worrying he didn’t get me to sign for it or check ID.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-08-22
Date Received:
2022-08-26
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
The quickest turnaround I have ever experienced.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-08-15
Date Received:
2022-09-01
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
TNT tracking non existent
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-08-16
Date Received:
2022-09-06
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very easy process to cancel existing lost passport, and then apply for a renewal. Completed the application online with a digital code for the photograph. The ID verification request was sent through to the nominated person within minutes.
Had a bit of an anxious wait wondering if I should have opted for the Fast Track process, as I had booked a holiday, but once approved the delivery was next day. Very impressed with whole process.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-08-18
Date Received:
2022-09-06
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
This was much faster than I expected! The only issue was with the delivery byTNT – it was not possible to track the delivery (the text message arrived on the day it was to be delivered), so I was unable to change the date. As it turned out there was no need to sign as the package did not need to be signed for. Also fortunately, the dog did not chew it to bits……
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
London
Submission Date:
2022-08-16
Date Received:
2022-09-06
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Easily done online.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-08-29
Date Received:
2022-09-06
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Came within a week, much quicker than expected.
Lost or Stolen Passport Application
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-08-20
Date Received:
2022-09-06
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
1st Child Passport
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-08-12
Date Received:
2022-09-06
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Child Renewal
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-08-21
Date Received:
2022-09-06
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Applied online with code for photos taken in Max Spielman photo shop.
All very straightforward, kept up to date by email.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2022-08-20
Date Received:
2022-09-06
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Ordinary size passport. Very smooth process.
Sent old passport by Special Delivery – received acknowledgement of receipt next day.
Notice passport printed on 3 Sept.
Handed to courier 5 Sept.
Arrived 6 Sept.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-08-18
Date Received:
2022-09-06
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
After hearing all the horror stories I was reluctant to get excited about going away at Oct half term, just over 2 weeks, still can’t believe it. I decided that I would go old school and did check and send at the post office (they did say it could take up to 10 weeks)with printed photos (nothing digital), maybe I got lucky who knows but I received mi e quicker than a couple.of people I know who did it all digitally
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Belfast
Submission Date:
2022-08-22
Date Received:
2022-09-06
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Really surprised a lot faster than expected 2 weeks and 1day
Overseas Passport Application
Type of Application:
First UK Passport (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2022-07-05
Date Received:
2022-09-06
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Found it easy to get through and speak to HMPO Customer Service despite a lot of poor reviews. You just need to be assertive but also polite. I would say the hardest part is the wait and having to give all your original documents. It would be much better if once original documents were received by the office someone reviews them, scans and certifies their legitimacy to the application file and then sends back to the applicant. Holding peoples original documents for extended periods of time when people need it for citizenship and ID purposes, travel etc makes no sense.