May 21, 2022

Passport Experiences 20th May 2022

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Passport Application Experiences

Feedback, experiences, timelines, tips and useful information from people that have recently been through the UK passport application process.

1st Adult Passport

Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport

Submission Date:
2022-03-23

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful

Comments:
Still waiting says passport is being processed for the last 6 weeks I did mine online standard service if the passport office did updates then you wouldn’t get so stressed but at this moment in time I don’t know if it’s been lost or just taking ages so frustrated it’s my son’s passport I’m going away in June so hopefully I will get it in time or I will be so devastated as this will be two special holidays I have lost.

Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport

Submission Date:
2022-04-13

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
The process of submitting the application online was easy enough. it was the waiting for an update which was agonisingly long! I was hoping to get the passport much quicker so as to book my holiday for the jubilee weekend but nevertheless its here now!

Adult Renewal Passport

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-23

Date Received:
2022-05-16

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Worst part was long wait to hear documents received, but comments on this website were very helpful in reassuring me this was normal. Once marked as received, new passport was with me within a week.

Delivered 16 May 2002
Passport printed 2:02pm on 13 May 2022
Application approved 9:09am on 12 May 2022
Documents received 5:54pm on 9 May 2022
Application received 1:22pm on 23 April 2022
Application submitted 1:21pm on 23 April 2022

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-03-28

Date Received:
2022-05-18

Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful

Comments:
Took two weeks to register my old passport from point of delivery to them. They then requested my foreign passport, which it took them 4 weeks to register on the system. When I called during that period they had no idea where it was and no way to confirm if it had been lost or not. From point of approval, the process was then really quick and document was delivered the day after it was printed.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-28

Date Received:
2022-05-18

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
The longest part was waiting for the passport office to acknowledge receipt of the old passport, this took 9 working days.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-26

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Sent to Glasgow. Took approx. 10 days longer than a child renewal I sent to Bootle.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-02

Date Received:
2022-05-13

Overall Experience:
Please Rate out of 5

Comments:
11 days from application to receiving it. Can’t fault it.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-04

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Used Post Office check and send. very pleasantly surprised, only a couple of weeks and received my passport. Good luck everyone.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-05

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Was settling in for a long wait so was pleasantly surprised the whole process only took 2 weeks.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-05

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful

Comments:
Complete stressful shambles. Had to upgrade in the end and got passport hours before flying. Such a horrible experience and so costly.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-27

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Processed in Liverpool.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-29

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Overall the process was very easy. The stress came from the reporting in the media about the delays which made me panic and also the delay between my old passport being signed for and it being shown as received on their system was a little stressful however the forums here helped a lot with that when I realised it was fairly common for it to take a couple of weeks to update.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-27

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
No problems. Application completed online and no need for fast track service.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-25

Date Received:
2022-05-17

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
online application 25/4/22
old passport delivered to Liverpool by special d 27/4/22
acknowledged receipt 10/5/22
approved 12/5/22
printed 14/5/22
delivered 17/5/22

Appears they only confirm receipt of docs when they are ready to work on it.
But still the standard 3 weeks no problems.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-04

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Updates took a while but then got processed fast. Glasgow office.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-29

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Peterborough Office
On-line application

Use Special Delivery for peace of mind – expect a 7-9 day delay between your documents being physically being signed for to being acknowledged on tracker as documents received

Here’s my timeline for Peterborough

Application history
StatusDate

Passport posted through door in Cumbria Thurs 19th May 11:35am
Passport printed 1:10pm on 18 May 2022
Application approved 9:00pm on 16 May 2022
Documents received 4:29pm on 12 May 2022
(Royal mail tracker shows delivered on May 3rd at 9:30,)
Application received 9:21pm on 29 April 2022
Application submitted 9:20pm on 29 April 2022

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-08

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Did online renewal, sent old passport to Bootle office, printed yesterday received today very pleased.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-22

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
Passport printed 11:55pm on 16 May 2022
Application approved 8:31pm on 13 May 2022
Documents received 2:03pm on 11 May 2022
Application received 5:08pm on 22 April 2022
Application submitted 5:08pm on 22 April

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-26

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
We were told 10 weeks for renewal. It was impossible to contact the passport office as we were going on holiday within that 10 week period so cancelled our accommodation to avoid any financial loss.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-28

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average

Comments:
Was incredibly stressed initially due to all the articles online talking about passport delays. Most of my passport updates took about a week to receive so that probably added to the stress. But all in all, I got mine in 3 weeks from the Liverpool office, really fast! Also if you want to speak to the passport advice line, request a callback – they called back within an hour. Don’t try holding, it doesn’t work. They gave me sound advice, if I still hadn’t received my passport 2 weeks before my holiday departure, I could upgrade my application to fast track immediately without an interview.

1st Child Passport

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-04-10

Date Received:
2022-05-18

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
From approval passport took 6 days to arrive.

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-04-02

Date Received:
2022-05-22

Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average

Comments:
After three weeks was informed extra documents were needed, adding around a three week delay before processing restarted. After that we clearly kept our place in the key because the passport was approved a few days later.

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-02-28

Date Received:
2022-05-16

Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful

Comments:
Had to cancel two holidays. Could never get through to speak to anyone. Managed a couple of times but it was absolutely useless.

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-03-28

Date Received:
2022-05-20

Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful

Comments:
Passport printed 2:18pm on 19 May 2022
Application approved 12:33pm on 19 May 2022
Application being processed 5:06pm on 4 May 2022
Documents received 12:12pm on 11 April 2022
Application received 10:08pm on 28 March 2022
Identity details received 10:08pm on 28 March 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 9:45pm on 28 March 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity 9:39pm on 28 March 2022
Application submitted 9:39pm on 28 March 2022

I appreciate and understand spikes in volumes and staff limitations for what is obviously a very sought after service at this present time, however, the way in which the passport office is managing this is completely unacceptable. You cannot refuse to answer calls, hang up on customers and ignore call backs….its not how a paid service should be run. A very stressful experience.

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-04-12

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
Application made: 12th April
Identification confirmed: 13th April
Documents sent: 13th April
Documents received: 27th April
Passport approved: 16th May
Passport delivered: 19th May

Easy smooth process, only made stressful through media reports of delays. Most stressful part was the radio silence between docs received and approved.

TNT delivered through letterbox of neighbours house, rather than ours, but luckily we recognised the picture of their door.

Newport office.

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-04-14

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Thought it would take a lot longer due to media coverage but was exactly 5 weeks

Passport printed 8:25am on 18 May 2022
Application approved 2:16pm on 16 May 2022
Documents received 12:22pm on 27 April 2022
Application received 3:12pm on 14 April 2022
Identity details received 3:11pm on 14 April 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 9:52am on 14 April 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity 9:50am on 14 April 2022
Application submitted 9:50am on 14 April 2022

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-04-06

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
An easy process, but the long wait between application received and Approved was stressful. After approval it got completed in a few days.

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-04-12

Date Received:
2022-05-18

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
Just pushed through the door, but glad it got here!!

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-04-11

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
Process was easy but didn’t stop me stressing out the whole time between ‘documents received’ and ‘application approved’, which was 21st April to 14th May.

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-02-27

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful

Comments:
So applied two adults and three children online 27th Feb. Adults received after three weeks
, it has taken twelve weeks in total to get the childrens. Hours of phoning on hold, spoke to various different people over the few weeks and nothing would move. Visited Newport passport office yesterday and was quickly seen, officer said she could not see anything wrong and we could get them 48hrs before our flight on the 27th and as we had already sent through for an upgrade with our flight details on we would not have to pay because of it being over the 10 weeks. Phone call this morning to say passports would be ready for collection tomorrow. Our tips keep ringing arrange an upgrade if you are entitled, go to your nearest passport office even if your applications are somewhere else, (ours ended up in Durham) and you will be seen.

Passport printed 12:43pm on 19 May 2022
Application approved 9:57am on 19 May 2022
Application being processed 12:37pm on 29 March 2022
Documents received 4:50pm on 23 March 2022
Application received 6:55pm on 27 February 2022
Identity details received 6:55pm on 27 February 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 6:41pm on 27 February 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity 6:35pm on 27 February 2022
Application submitted 6:35pm on 27 February 2022

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-04-12

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
Asked for an identification check a second time for some reason. This was the Bootle Office.

Posted 19/05/22
Passport printed 17/05/22
Application approved 15/05/22
Identity details received 14/05/22
Email sent to person confirming
your identity 14/05/22
Ask someone to confirm your
identity 14/05/22
Documents received 26/04/22
Application received 12/04/22
Identity details received 12/04/22
Email sent to person confirming
your identity 12/04/22
Ask someone to confirm your
identity 12/04/22
Application submitted 12/04/22

This website says the average for first passport is 38 days, and this passport came in 37 days. Only stress was the media coverage.

Child Renewal

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-27

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Applied online, got a picture from the shop which included a code to input. All very easy and quick to to do.

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-06

Date Received:
2022-05-18

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Sent to Bootle. Took approx. 10 days less than an adult renewal I sent to Glasgow.

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-13

Date Received:
2022-05-17

Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful

Comments:
Had to phone the passport office as they would not accept supporting documents. When I finally got to speak to someone, (not by using the general helpline number) they were able to sort it out straight away and the passport was approved the same day. I did not have any response to online queries or a letter sent by registered post.

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-03-09

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful

Comments:
Took too long. Had to cancel two holidays.

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-02

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
No issues – like the way the photo is automatically approved when uploaded.

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-03

Date Received:
2022-05-16

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Online application, super fast from the Bootle team

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-12

Date Received:
2022-05-04

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
Posted 04/05/22
Passport printed 03/05/22
Application approved 29/04/22
Documents received 26/04/22
Application received 12/04/22
Identity details received 12/04/22
Email sent to person confirming your identity 12/04/22
Ask someone to confirm your identity 12/04/22
Application submitted 12/04/22

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-04

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Hi
Applied online child passport renewal :4th May 2022
Sent old passport :5th May
Documents received by HMPO-14th May
Application approved – 18th May
Passport printed – 19th May

Now awaiting passport to arrive.

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-03-21

Date Received:
2022-05-05

Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful

Comments:
Absolutely disgusting. 4 family members 4 different passport offices. 4 different processing times and updates!
I fear the worst that just my son and partner will be going on holiday in July. I applied for everyone in march and there seems no hope of us going. I can not comprehend how it takes 8 weeks for a RENEWAL and still waiting. It takes the different offices over a week to recognise documents being sent despite being signed for.
I just pray we get ours back in time now.
ALSO “can not upgrade as 10 weeks not passed since we received documents” is a farcical when I applied in PLENTY of time for my holiday following the government guidelines.
Absolutely distraught stressed and no hope.

Overseas Passport Application

Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)
Submission Date:
2022-04-10
Date Received:
2022-05-16
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Stressful at first because the tracker wasn’t updated to show my docs had been received until 3 weeks after the courier delivered them. But after that, took 3 days for the passport to be approved and printed and received back in Australia after 9 further days.

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