First Adult Passport
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Submission Date:
2022-03-22
Date Received:
2022-04-25
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
Documents due to be received 10 May 2022
Passport printed 8:30pm on 21 April 2022
Application approved 10:14am on 20 April 2022
Documents received 10:17am on 5 April 2022
Application received 1:23pm on 22 March 2022
Identity details received 1:23pm on 22 March 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 1:18pm on 22 March 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 1:12pm on 22 March 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity 1:09pm on 22 March 2022
Application submitted 1:09pm on 22 March 2022
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Submission Date:
2022-04-01
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
I was bracing myself for a 10 week wait. My Identity verifier was rejected twice (but accepted for other members of my family, who went to different passport offices???) – but once that was approved. It went well!
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Submission Date:
2022-04-23
Date Received:
2022-05-05
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
This was a renewal of a child passport for a 16 year old, hence her first adult passport.
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Submission Date:
2022-04-16
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very smooth. Application submitted online with digital photos through Bootle office. They were slow to acknowledge receipt of supporting docs but thereafter they moved quickly. As it was my first adult passport I expected to have to provide counter-signatory for photos but I wasn’t asked to do so. Pretty quick all told.
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Submission Date:
2022-04-15
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Only stressful time was waiting for HMPO to acknowledge old passport was received. It arrived with them 21/05, Royal Mail did not update tracking so thought it was lost, HMPO acknowledged receipt on 04/05. After that really quick process, updated throughout and received passport today.
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-24
Date Received:
2022-05-09
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Applied online and posted old passport back the same day via a post box and first class stamp. There was a delay between them receiving the passport and actually updating the system to say it had been received (which caused a slight panic) but one it had been updated to say they had for it, everything went very smoothly and quickly. They sent progress reports at every stage. Total turn around time 14 days!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-03-07
Date Received:
2022-04-06
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
They did not send me any tracking information before delivering my new passport, and I still haven’t got my (important) supporting documents back in spite of having paid for the tracked return service. I cannot get through to them on the helpline.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-20
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Used digital photo and assisted service (Max Spielman)
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-03-09
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
So after my online application being half checked sat in someone’s in-tray, I chased it up and finally got through to someone, they told me I needed a lost passport reference number. (Disappointed that I wasn’t informed of this by the passport office) but it’s partly my fault too but with mine being out of date I didn’t think that would be needed, anyway once I got that and provided it the process has taken about a week. To complete the checks I still haven’t received it yet but I got the notification today it was being printed so fingers crossed I get it before I need it.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-03-03
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Did Post Office checked so only a text update when it arrived in the Passport office (took 6 days – not next day) Go tan update after about 6 weeks when I filled in the web forms to enquire on progress. On 3rd May emailed back to say they are now looking at it in the Liverpool office. Text message on May 9th to say it will arrive in next few days. Arrived early the next day. 79 days since they received it!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-14
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Turned up in normal post, just stuck through the door!!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-20
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
The documents we submitted after online application (old passport) were signed for at passport office on 21st April but not logged on tracking system until 4th May, so the initial couple of weeks were a bit stressful especially with news coverage regarding delays etc. But all very quick from that point – application approved 6th May, passport printed 9th May and delivered 10th May. Can hopefully relax now and enjoy build up to long awaited and much needed holiday!!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-03-21
Date Received:
2022-05-09
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Very worried in case it didn’t come on time. Chased it with HMPO and it was issued that same day. Courier was a bit of a problem too but at least I have it and thankful for that. But this has been the worst passport application process I have ever been through. Should have kept the passport service with the previous supplier!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-26
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Straight forward renewal , new passport confirmed within one week of sending the old one to them.
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-26
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Online application for adult renewal. No name change.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-21
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
The only delay seemed to be from the receipt of the application to when the old passport was acknowledged as received, when it was tracked as delivered the day after the application was made. Even that was acceptable with a Bank Holiday taken into account.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-28
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Kept informed of progress throughout application, would recommend digital code photo upload via photobooth.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-19
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
Application history
StatusDate
Passport printed 4:41pm on 6 May 2022
Application approved 6:47pm on 5 May 2022
Documents received 9:57am on 4 May 2022
Application received 7:03pm on 19 April 2022
Application submitted 7:02pm on 19 April 2022
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-27
Date Received:
2022-05-09
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Frequent emails updating me when of progress through their system.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-03-22
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
I had to submit extra documents as I am a dual citizen.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-20
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Passport printed 10:18am on 7 May 2022
Application approved 1:51am on 6 May 2022
Documents received 4:04pm on 4 May 2022
Application received 4:21pm on 20 April 2022
Application submitted 4:21pm on 20 April 2022
Made the mistake of booking a holiday a month away without checking if my passport was still valid! Got my photo taken in a photo booth that added it to the system automatically and did my application online. The longest part of the process was waiting for the Liverpool office to acknowledge receipt of my old passport but then things seemed to process about one step a day. Note, they never informed me my passport was dispatched, the first I heard was TNT telling it would arrive that day.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-27
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Really easy and quick service.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-21
Date Received:
2022-05-09
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Surprisingly quick and easy. This was for an adult renewal and change of name. Well done the Peterborough office! (NB: still waiting to hear anything from a renewal submitted at the same time – but via the Liverpool office…)
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-03-02
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
I made an error on my dob when applying but I can’t see why that took so long to resolve! I was then asked to write a statement to explain a bit of biro ink found on my old expired passport (done my by toddler) they called it ‘damage’ . So relieved I finally have the new passport !!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-26
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Even faster as I did not send my old passport until the 29th April
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-21
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
No problems at all. No extra checks needed. No signatures needed. Approved and printed.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-07
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
Adult renewal with name change. Peterborough office
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-26
Date Received:
2022-05-09
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Three passports sent at same time using standard service – one arrived so far!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-27
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
After reading the scare stories I decided to get my application and settled in for a long wait. In the end it was very quick. I submitted an online application and used a local approved photographer. The biggest bottlenecks appeared to be acknowledging receipt of my old passport and the dispatch of my new one. I posted on recorded delivery to Bootle. Was signed for next day according to Royal Mail but took passport office a few days to acknowledge. Very quick and straight forward after that. Took a few days after printing to hear anything from the courier. Whole thing took roughly 2 weeks.
Passport Delivered 12.50pm on 10 May
Passport printed 8:06pm on 5 May 2022
Application approved 10:31pm on 4 May 2022
Documents received 3:11pm on 3 May 2022
Application received 12:29pm on 27 April 2022
Application submitted 12:29pm on 27 April 2022
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-28
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Considering the application was sent prior to a bank holiday weekend, a turnaround time of 12 days was excellent.
Passport received 10 May 2022
Passport printed 10:18am on 7 May 2022
Application approved 1:26am on 6 May 2022
Documents received 3:54pm on 4 May 2022
Application received 2:45pm on 28 April 2022
Application submitted 2:44pm on 28 April 2022
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-07
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
After being worried by press reports, it turned out to be very straightforward
1st Child Passport
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-04-04
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
After initially being a very stressful process due to media hype, our sons first passport came 5 weeks after application which was inline with guidance at the time of applying. We applied online and our application was directed to Liverpool. Confirmation of receipt of documents came through on 19th April, confirmation of approval to application 6th May and delivery of passport on 10th May.
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-04-01
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Photo rejected but application was approved next day once new pic was uploaded.
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-04-01
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
Bootle office
* Passport posted through letterbox 10 May (no sig)
Passport printed- 12:45pm 8 May
Application approved- 1:23pm 6 May
Documents received- 11:58am 19 April
*Documents received per Royal Mail 5 April
*Documents posted 4 April
Application received- 10:41pm 3 April
Identity details received- 10:41pm 3 April
Email sent to person confirming your identity- 5:30pm 1 April
Ask someone to confirm your identity- 4:09pm 1 April
Application submitted – 4:09pm 1 April
As with most other applications the longest wait was passport office acknowledging receipt of old passport. (Would definitely recommend signed for delivery for peace of mind). After that there was quite a delay for them to approve which had me panicking because of the media, but once approved it was received within a week.
Worst bit is all of the media coverage! Wish the passport office would fight back with statements or articles containing average passport turnaround times or an explanation to try and ease the stress!
3/5 because of the delay in acknowledging receipt and delay approving. Our experience slightly over the PWT averages.
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-04-02
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
Fairly stress free application, most stressful bit was wondering whether the documents had gone missing at the office. Royal Mail confirmed delivery on 5th April and passport office didn’t acknowledge until 19th April.
Application Submitted: 2nd April
Application Received: 2nd April
Documents Delivered by Royal Mail: 5th April
Documents acknowledged by HMPO: 19th April
Application Approved: 6th May
Passport Printed: 8th May
Passport Delivered 10th May
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-03-14
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
I applied for my renewal and my daughter’s first passport at the same time, at the time the turnaround was quoted as 5 weeks. I am travelling for work on the 12th May and my young daughter cannot be away from me but thought I’d take the chance given I it was saying 5 weeks. My renewal came back quickly with a couple of weeks but my daughter’s only arrived today on the 10th May, with 2 days to spare, phew! Incredibly stressful as I could not book travel (Eurostar) until the passport arrived. The longest wait was the processing with no information and no way of getting hold of anyone (the customer service line just cuts you off, you cannot get on the webchat and no one responds to your queries). Although given it arrived 2 days before I travel maybe they did read the queries (we’ll never know if this made a difference).
Time line:
Passport received 10th May (we received a text from TNT that it was out for delivery and was posted through the letterbox)
Passport printed 11:43am on 7 May 2022
Application approved 9:02am on 6 May 2022
Application being processed 4:36pm on 21 March 2022
Documents received 8:44am on 17 March 2022
Application received 11:07pm on 14 March 2022
Identity details received 11:07pm on 14 March 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 10:15pm on 14 March 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity 10:07pm on 14 March 2022
Application submitted 10:07pm on 14 March 2022
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-04-05
Date Received:
2022-05-09
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
We applied online for the passport on the 5th and sent our documents on the 8th. We received confirmation of the passport office receiving the documents on the 15th April. Application was approved on the 4th May.
Child Renewal
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-17
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Passport printed 9:39am on 6 May 2022
Application approved 4:34pm on 4 May 2022
Documents received 9:04am on 1 May 2022
Application received 12:58pm on 17 April 2022
Application submitted 12:57pm on 17 April 2022
Submitted through Peterborough. No issues and very quick especially as there were Easter and May Bank Holidays included.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-28
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very quick. Never sure how long each stage will take. I did send old passport back promptly and this seemed to trigger processing application.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-03-17
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Used Post Office Check and Send which made it impossible to track progress.
From start to finish took just under 8 weeks.
It was a long and stressful wait made worse by all the media coverage!
Staff were helpful when I contacted them to check progress.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-24
Date Received:
2022-05-09
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Couldn’t believe it when passport came back after 2 weeks and a day. Took one week to acknowledge receipt of old passport. After that I got an email more or less every day advising it had moved on in the process. Very smooth.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-24
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Whats the fuss about!
03/05 – Docs Recd
05/05 – Approved
07/05 – Printed
10/05 – Delivered
Also renewed my adult in Dec 21 and that took 02/12 to 16/12.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-24
Date Received:
2022-05-09
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Only took just over a fortnight, despite including a couple of days waiting for a friend to verify my child’s identity, and the bank holiday weekend.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-23
Date Received:
2022-05-07
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Super fast for one child’s passport. Another child, still waiting for documents to be received after two weeks of being delivered. Inconsistent – dependant upon passport office.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-03-08
Date Received:
2022-05-09
Overall Experience:
Please Rate out of 5
Comments:
Weeks to receive the passport only got it in the end because I went to Durham itself.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-23
Date Received:
2022-05-05
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
This renewal sent to Bootle office. Appeared to be very quick turnaround & this included the need to check identity as renewal was for daughter under 12. Other renewal for older daughter sent to Peterborough office & very slow in comparison – took exactly 2 weeks to acknowledge receipt of old passport & still waiting for approval.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-02-28
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Overseas child renewal (paper based). DHL delivery to Durham office on 28 February, payment taken that week. Only received today, 10 May. Never managed to get through on the helpline. Kids’ air tickets (non-reimbursable) wasted. But glad they arrived today (10 weeks 1 day) as we are moving country next month.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-26
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
2 x child renewals, 2 weeks exactly from application day to receiving in post. Bootle office.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-02
Date Received:
2022-05-09
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
I found the whole process quite stressful but I kept reading all the horror stories.
The passport was a replacement lost one, change of name and I made a couple of mistakes. There was other documents I hadn’t submitted which they allowed me to submit via email and approved the same day. The process was quite quick after that and received my passport 4 days later.
I can’t grumble really because the stress was part of my own mistakes so thanks Passport Office. We fly on 15th June.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-11
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
The longest and most stressful wait was the 3 weeks between documents received and application approved. We’ve requested callbacks to check if there is anything wrong with the application and never received any callbacks. Otherwise we are happy with the timeline, 4 weeks for us.
Application history
StatusDate
Passport printed 10:42am on 7 May 2022
Application approved 3:08pm on 5 May 2022
Documents received 11:43am on 15 April 2022
Application received 10:47am on 12 April 2022
Identity details received 10:47am on 12 April 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 10:35am on 12 April 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 3:01pm on 11 April 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity 2:49pm on 11 April 2022
Application submitted 2:49pm on 11 April 2022
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-02-15
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Sent sons birth certificate on 7th March Still no sign of passport and no clear answer on where it is in the process. We ring every day and no closer to a resolution – already lost £1k in flights- it’s hell.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-19
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Despite the bad press – it would seem if your application is in order and there are no queries – issue is quick
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-25
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Renewed my daughter’s passport and from application online to receiving same was just over 2 weeks with a bank holiday in the middle. Easy and quick!
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-20
Date Received:
2022-05-06
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Sent to Corby Office
Application history
StatusDate
Passport printed 2:47pm on 5 May 2022
Application approved 5:45pm on 4 May 2022
Documents received 8:56am on 1 May 2022
Application received 9:37pm on 20 April 2022
Identity details received 9:37pm on 20 April 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 8:56pm on 20 April 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity 7:43pm on 20 April 2022
Application submitted 7:43pm on 20 April 2022
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-24
Date Received:
2022-05-09
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Sent to Bootle office. My only concern is how long it takes the system to update once they have received old passport. We sent our signed for on delivery and knew they had been received as we could see they had been signed for. This however would have been a very stressful time if we couldn’t track receipt via Royal mail as passport system took a week to update, 6 days after it had been received by them.
1 Week Fast Track
Type of Application:
1 Week Fast Track Service
Submission Date:
2022-05-03
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
I tried booking an appointment in early April and the earliest appointment I could get was 3 weeks away so booked for 3rd May. Scheduled for 9.30am, Liverpool passport office was very busy so waited until about 10.30am to be seen. I applied for both a first and renewal child passports and the appointment was over in about 10 mins with both applications being fine.
Type of Application:
1 Week Fast Track Service
Submission Date:
2022-05-04
Date Received:
2022-05-10
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Fast track first child passport.
Applied for my grandson 1st passport on the 23feb still nothing it hasn’t been updated on line since 11th April they kept refusing counter signing and then the form we sent in because i hadn’t filled the whole form in I was told just need to get counter signing done which i did it’s been a nightmare now I can’t even get through as it keeps saying the number u have called is wrong. Waste of time it’s cost me 110 quid so far instead of 49