Blog

Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport

Submission Date:
2022-04-08

Date Received:
2022-04-22

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Was put on hold for a few hours on 19th April for ID verification. But approved.

Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport

Submission Date:
2022-02-27

Date Received:
2022-04-22

Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful

Comments:
I wish that it was easier to speak to someone.

Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport

Submission Date:
2022-03-15

Date Received:
2022-04-19

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
Had to submit a new photo.

Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport

Submission Date:
2022-03-03

Date Received:
2022-04-09

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
Had to chase on my progress several times and had to follow up for the return of my supporting documents, but overall got my passport on time. I was told that tracked deliveries take 2 weeks to be registered while untracked take 4, so you might be better off with a tracked delivery.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-03-30

Date Received:
2022-04-22

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Took 23 days from application. Bootle office. Regular updates.
Passport received 22 April 2022
Passport printed 7:51am on 18 April 2022
Application approved 4:51pm on 12 April 2022
Documents received3:47pm on 6 April 2022
Application received12:40pm on 30 March 2022
Application submitted12:39pm on 30 March 2022

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-02-26

Date Received:
2022-04-22

Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful

Comments:
Customer service is shocking!!

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-03-29

Date Received:
2022-04-22

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
Overall the whole online application was pretty easy. But I submitted the application on the 29th of March after booking a holiday to stupidly realise My passport would be expired by the 29th April when I’m due to go. So I sent off my passport and then for 2 weeks worried sick because even though I had used royal mails next day Durham passport office didn’t acknowledge delivery until the 11th of April. (I’m in Bristol so not sure why went to durham). Again all of this isn’t HMPO’S fault but the poor customer service was a bit annoying there are some really helpful people who do work on the phones but it’s just luck of the draw if you get them.

After receiving passport all went quickly and smoothly , passport approved the 11th printed the 13th and in my hand by 9 am Friday the 22nd with 7 days to spare before I fly.

If you’re traveling within 5 weeks I would next time just go fast track its not worth the stress for the extra £100. There are some really good bits of information from people who went through the same thing on here but also every passport is different so the horror stories keep you up at night but you need to remember they are dealing with millions of passports there are going to be some nightmares I feel very fortunate I wasn’t one.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-06

Date Received:
2022-04-23

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Passport printed 8:47am on 20 April 2022
Application approved 12:22pm on 14 April 2022
Documents received 2:58pm on 12 April 2022
Application received 2:06pm on 6 April 2022
Application submitted

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-05

Date Received:
2022-04-21

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Excellent online service.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-03

Date Received:
2022-04-21

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Longest part was waiting for the system to update that documents had been received. Process with very easy had no problems. Received new passport in less than 3 weeks and this was including bank holidays!

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-05

Date Received:
2022-06-30

Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful

Comments:
My old passport was delivered to Durham two weeks ago and doesn’t show as received. Was told this morning 21 working days to show as received.

Submission Date:
2022-03-23

Date Received:
2022-04-22

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
Based in Oldham. Online service was easy. There are delays in the updates on the tracking service but generally they text and emailed me every step of the way. I think just don’t be a dingbat like me and order it way in advance. Get to go on me jollies and save earache from the missus now!

Application received: 23.03.22
Old passport received: 04.04.22
Application approved: 15.04.22
Passport printed: 20.04.22
Received: 22.04.22

The courier text me the day it was due to deliver. The waiting times are from application received not passport received.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-03-11

Date Received:
2022-04-22

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
I did my application via the post office so online applications may be a bit quicker. I received a text on Tuesday 19th from HM Passport stating I would receive my passport in the next few days. On the 22nd I received a text from TNT delivery stating it would be delivered today and it was.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-03

Date Received:
2022-04-22

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
After reading various experiences here, I was surprised how quick and easy my experience was. With the bank holiday during my application timeline, I assume it would have been quicker.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-03-04

Date Received:
2022-04-22

Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful

Comments:
Every Call agent told me different things. I eventually had to pay for an upgrade as I am going away on 25th April. I have had to spend 4 hours a day on the phone to get it in time! When I originally submitted my passport I was told I would receive in 3-5 weeks.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-03-23

Date Received:
2022-04-19

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
Wait time included 3 working days for me to upload a new photo after the first was rejected.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-03

Date Received:
2022-04-22

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Good service considering Easter holidays
Passport printed 9:07am on 15 April 2022
Application approved 8:37am on 11 April 2022
Documents received 11:47am on 7 April 2022
Application received 10:25pm on 3 April 2022
Application submitted 10:24pm on 3 April 2022

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-03-26

Date Received:
2022-04-20

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Straight forward process, Durham office

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-03-21

Date Received:
2022-04-22

Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful

Comments:
Extremely stressful but fortunately managed to get it back rather swiftly. Will pay to fast track in future to avoid any doubt.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-03-13

Date Received:
2022-04-23

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
Peterborough office, adult renewal with name change. Took photo myself which was accepted.

There isn’t much consistency in the process, especially with timescales for acknowledgment of supporting documents (days if you’re at the top of the pile, or 2 – 3 weeks plus if you’re at the bottom). Only once acknowledged will your application begin the process of being checked, otherwise it’s just sat there doing nothing, regardless of how much money you spent on postage to get the documents there ASAP. The passport office reiterate that their “services are in high demand”, but after 2 years of travel restrictions, I feel like this could’ve been foreseen and preparations made to deal with the volume of applications of late.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-03-27

Date Received:
2022-04-23

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
Bit disappointed with delay in updates as it took 16 days for them to confirm they had my old passport, first photo was refused so I uploaded another within the hour and it was processed same day . Nothing after printing notification until this morning when I got a text to say it had been delivered.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-03-04

Date Received:
2022-04-25

Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful

Comments:
There are insufficient or insufficiently well-trained customer-facing staff, which coupled with a telephone system that’s clearly not fit for purpose. Staff appear to tell you what they think you want to hear, as the admin processes cannot cope with the demands placed by “customers”, and they don’t want to hear the complaints that inevitably surface.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-03-15

Date Received:
2022-04-22

Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average

Comments:
Application submitted – 15/03/2022
Documents sent – 16/03/2022
Documents received – 01/04/2022
Application approved – 15/04/2022
Passport printed – 20/04/2022
Passport delivered – 22/04/2022

Glasgow Passport Office
Overall it didn’t take as long as I initially feared. It took two weeks for them to acknowledge that my documents had been received and then took a little while for it to be approved (I was updating both my name and gender marker). TNT did send it on the correct day but just posted it through the letter box rather than get a signature for it which I found odd. Genuinely thought it would take longer, so nice to have it back so far in advance of travelling, though the process could be a bit more transparent and communicated to applicants.

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-03-12

Date Received:
2022-04-23

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
Submitted three first time child applications on 12th March,. One went to Peterborough and came today, the other two I’m still waiting on from Liverpool, tracker says being processed for fifteen days now. Getting nervous as travelling on 22nd May and it’s been impossible to contact Liverpool for an update on the two outstanding passports.

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-03-16

Date Received:
2022-04-23

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
I found the process easy enough but quite slow compared to when I applied for my daughter a few years ago. Reading the horror stories on here made me feel stressed.

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-03-26

Date Received:
2022-04-22

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Use the online renewal service and we used the ASDA photo service as well, which allows you to upload directly into your application. But importantly checks that it will be accepted first for you, so this worry is removed. It costs a little bit more but worth it.

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-01

Date Received:
2022-04-22

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Application submitted/identity confirmed 1.4.22
Docs received 10.4.22 (signed for on 5.4.22
Approved 12.4.22
Printed 18.4.22
Received 22.4.22

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-03-23

Date Received:
2022-04-06

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Sent 2 passports for renewal at same time. One renewed and returned, other still being processed.

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-07

Date Received:
2022-04-22

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
I was a little nervous that it would take a long time for the application to be processed but it was very straight forward in the end.

Application submitted online with a digital photo. It was processed by the Belfast office.

The whole process from submission of the application to receipt of the passport via TNT took 15 days.

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-03

Date Received:
2022-04-21

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
Only 1 out of 4 passports have been processed.

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-03-24

Date Received:
2022-04-23

Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful

Comments:
The skilled job of assessing and approving a passport application only seems to take about 2 days – it is the administrative system around it that turns 2 days into an entire month! For example:

1. Documents signed for by HMPO on 28/03/2022 at 11:10 (per Royal Mail tracking); documents received on 05/04/2022 at 1:34pm (per HMPO tracking website). So it takes 8 days (over a week!) for the mailroom to hand it to a data entry person and a data entry person to log it.

2. Application approved on 07/04/2022 at 6:53pm; passport printed on 13/04/2022 at 1:01pm. So it takes 6 days (almost a week) from someone hitting “print” to it actually rolling off the printer.

3. Passport printed on 13/04/2022 at 1:01pm; passport delivered on 23/04/2022. So it takes a professional courier firm 10 days (a week and a half!) to collect and deliver it.
Zero communication either from HMPO or from the courier firm from 13/04/2022 at 1:01pm until 23/04/2022 at 07:00 (so for 10 days!) when text message from courier received with link saying delivery due on 23/04/2022 (same day).

So contrary to what HMPO website says:
– no tracking reference provided by courier firm when they collected the passport (which was on 16/04/2022 – so an entire week for a courier firm to make a delivery!)
– returned documents actually arrived earlier, quicker (sent 20/04/2022 at 15:19, delivered 22/04/2022 at 13:25), and with better communication via Royal Mail than the new passport!