May 27, 2022

Passport Experiences 27th May 2022

Read Latest Comments

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:
2022-04-21

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Application history
Passport printed 1:42pm on 25 May 2022
Application approved 8:39pm on 23 May 2022
Documents received 1:29pm on 4 May 2022
Application received 2:10pm on 21 April 2022
Identity details received 2:10pm on 21 April 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 2:07pm on 21 April 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity 2:04pm on 21 April 2022
Application submitted 2:04pm on 21 April 2022

Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport

Submission Date:
2022-05-05

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Kept up to date as soon as old documents were confirmed. ( This took nearly two weeks)

Adult Renewal Passport

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-02-20

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful

Comments:
Absolutely disgraceful customer service. My application was just a straight forward renewal. I have phoned/emailed tried to web chat & the outsourced advisers are just diabolical they either give the wrong advice/ can’t or won’t give help. Get rid of these useless staff get an answer machine at least that can’t advise you incorrectly & put the money towards the actual passport office staff who can help & actually see the applications. All they do is lie & fob you off.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
0022-05-05

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Renewal online with digital photo 5th May. Old passport sent special delivery on 5th. Old passport received 18 May. Approved 23rd May. Printed 25th May Delivered 26th May.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-06

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Got very lucky and took a chance and it arrived with one day to spare on travel date. Very stressful wait for them to acknowledge the old passport being received but after that it took 6 days.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-21

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
I feel awful for all the people having to wait so much time. Even my moms only took 2 weeks tops.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-03

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
My daughters took 4 months due to a complication understanding her names but mine 4 weeks, very relieved!

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-03-17

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
Took 10 weeks to the day. Very easy to apply for and then track, and the time taken was in line with their guidance but not particularly quick! Once printed, took three days to deliver by courier.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-07

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful

Comments:
Paper application at post office check and send. Took 13 days to say they had received it by email then nothing. I had to keep ringing for any progress because you don’t have an update like the online application. Sat in waiting to be processed from 20th April. Lots of calls and a few emails later I had a text 2 days ago saying my new passport will be with me in the next few working days. TNT delivered through my letterbox 3pm today

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-03-28

Date Received:
2022-05-24

Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average

Comments:
My adult renewal was through done as a replacement of a lost passport. I applied online and allowed 10 weeks as it says online.

I started getting a bit nervous mid May time as I had my application had been stuck on processing since the 1st of April so decided to give them a quick call as there were people that put their applications in after me (replacements) that had already received theirs. After 6 hours of trying to call HMPO, I spoke to a lady who was very short and snappy with me. I just asked her to check if there were any issues at all with the application and maybe that I hadn’t received anything asking me to confirm details etc… She gave a me a cold few answers so I left it.

The evening after, I received a call from a No called ID and she was from HMPO and had to confirm a few details with me over the phone, and said she had sent an email early april with this information. I checked all my email folders every day for updates about my application and never saw this email, however i answered all her questions and as soon as we got off the phone, it was approved!

Overall a fine experience aside from the mystery email that may have solved the hassle and the not very pleasant lady that I spoke to first time around.

Application submitted: 28th March 2022
Confirm identity: 28th March 2022
Application being processed: 1st April 2022
Application approved: 17th May 2022
Passport printed: 19th May 2022
Passport delivered: 24th May 2022

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-30

Date Received:
2022-04-30

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
The only frustration was there was a gap between the courier I used (Royal Mail) recording my old passport as being delivered and the Passport Office recording it as received. About 2 weeks. But other than that I think the process was very good.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-11

Date Received:
2022-05-25

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Realised that my passport would run out before I’d even gone on my holiday which is booked. I had less than a month! I did an online application and sent my old passport by the quickest, signed for post. I was really stressed but the email updates were really helpful to see progress, especially approval. My passport was posted through the door, so I didn’t even need to be in. So relieved!

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-02

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Online submission, really easy

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-13

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Very quick but still stressful if you need to travel quickly.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-08

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
Please Rate out of 5

Comments:
Despite sending my old passport by Tracked Next Day Delivery the passport office didn’t acknowledge it as received until 2 weeks later. However, once they did acknowledge receipt the approval, printing and delivery process was incredibly quick (5 working days) so overall I was really impressed with the speed and means I can go to my brother’s wedding!

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-13

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Bootle office. My son’s is a different story though… documents have only just been received in Liverpool despite all being sent same day.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-05

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Great communication for HM passport office

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-05

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
On – line application.
Peterborough office.
They kept me regularly updated.
Important to send old passport back with “signed for” postage – then you can track it yourself.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-30

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
The longest part of the process was them acknowledging the receipt of my old passport; it arrived with them on the 4th and they didn’t update to say they had it until the 19th.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-05

Date Received:
2022-05-25

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Not knowing if documents had arrived was the most stressful part. Otherwise worked very well!

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-03-16

Date Received:
2022-03-16

Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful

Comments:
This is a renewal after losing my passport. I reported my passport lost before I submitted my application.

1st Child Passport

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-04-04

Date Received:
2022-05-25

Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful

Comments:
no option but to use HMPO, if there was i would use other

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-04-15

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful

Comments:
Please please please write a letter to passport office handling your application stating your urgency it’s the only way I got my child’s. Send next day guarantee post. Application approved next day after receiving letter. No response to emails or phone calls!

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-04-14

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful

Comments:
I appreciate the demand is very high at the moment – however it’s the lack of ability to track down ANY information that is most stressful. Not being able to speak to anyone was horrendous. I ended up contacting my MP and I don’t know if that made a difference but it seemed to speed up after then. Maybe coincidence but I’m not sure.

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-04-01

Date Received:
2022-05-31

Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful

Comments:
Still waiting passport Never known such a poor service and very unhelpful staff.

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-04-24

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average

Comments:
I was worrying my sons first passport wouldn’t arrive in time for holiday. I rang for an upgrade (hour and half hold on the phone) and the lady said she’d get someone to call me back that day. No one ever rang back.
Luckily the passport was approved a couple of days later.

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-04-06

Date Received:
2022-05-19

Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful

Comments:
Sent me a letter to tell me that I needed to send the full birth certificate (they could have e-mailed me!).
Still waiting for my passport to be returned to me (supporting documents for the child’s first passport). We travel is 6 days. Panicking doesn’t quite cover it.

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-04-20

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
Pushed holiday back as didn’t believe these would arrive on time.

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-04-16

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
The only stressful moment was the two weeks’ wait for the Home Office to acknowledge that they had received the supporting documents (which are still to be returned).

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-04-06

Date Received:
2022-05-09

Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average

Comments:
It took over two weeks for Royal Mail 24 tracked to deliver the documents then a week and half for the office to acknowledge the receipt of the documents.

Child Renewal

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-05

Date Received:
2022-05-25

Overall Experience:
Please Rate out of 5

Comments:
Docs delivered signed for 06/05 but didn’t change to docs received until 17/05 approved 19/05 printed 23/05 and delivered by dhl 25/05

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-06

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
Please Rate out of 5

Comments:
2x Child Renewals – 1 went to London & 1 went to Liverpool but they both updated on very similar timescales within hours of each other and arriving on the same day.

I was concerned on timescales due to reports in the media but it was very simple and updates at every stage. We applied online and used a photo code from a photo shop which I think helped and then posted old passports immediately via Special Delivery.

– Application 06/05/2022
– Old passports sent 06/05/2022
– Old passport arrived Mon 09/05/2022 (We could see from Royal Mail tracking)
– Old passport registered as arrived at Passport Office 19/05/2022 (As many have said – this was the big gap)
– Passport Approved Mon 23/05/22
– Passport Printed Wed 25/05/22
– Passport Due To Arrive Today Thur 26/05/22

Under 3 weeks in total

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-11

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
APPLIED 11/05/22 GLASGOW OFFICE
OLD PASSPORT ACKNOWLEDGED 19/05/22
PASSPORT APPROVED 23/05/22
PASSPORT PRINTED 25/05/22
PASSPORT DELIVERED 26/05/22
Amazing service – this was faster than when I renewed my own passport in March! Still waiting for a passport from the Corby office – sent same time but I have had the apporved email today!

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-14

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
This was an online submission using a coded passport photo (from SnappySnaps). Could not have been easier!

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-14

Date Received:
2022-05-25

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Much quicker than I had expected it to be completed after thinking it could be up to 10 weeks it took 12 days from completing the form to receiving the passport back.

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-09

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Belfast Office. I was stressed as Hell as the news is full of scary stories and I had three of these to put in for a holiday on the 4 July. First photo rejection proved my photos were garbage so we all went off to get them done properly.

Passport printed 6:11pm on 24 May 2022
Application approved 7:53am on 23 May 2022
Identity details received 7:26pm on 20 May 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 6:40pm on 20 May 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity 4:24pm on 20 May 2022
New photo received 2:08pm on 20 May 2022
Photo rejected 1:00pm on 20 May 2022
Documents received 10:53am on 18 May 2022
Application received 8:00pm on 9 May 2022
Application submitted 8:00pm on 9 May 2022

One down – two to go.

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-04

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Took an extra week as friend who confirmed identity has 2 jobs, one recognised, one not and they put down the wrong job so had to resubmit identity details.

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-05

Date Received:
2022-05-26

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
Longest wait was them processing receipt of the old passport.

1 Week Fast Track Application

Type of Application:
1 Week Fast Track Service

Submission Date:
2022-05-16

Date Received:
2022-05-25

Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average

Comments:
Fast Track should arrive within 7 days. Passport didn’t arrive until day 10.

Overseas Passport Application

Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)

Submission Date:
2022-04-15

Date Received:
Not Received.

Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful

Comments:
I have applied and sent in my application on 4/15 it was received and i received a text saying i need to send in my old passport. That arrived in UK from USA on MAY 4th…I still as of 5/20 HAD NO UPDATE I leave mid July for international travel with my entire family who are US citizens and have passports. What must or can I do? Also has anyone been able to expedite overnight mail at least?

2 Replies to “Passport Experiences 27th May 2022”

  1. Chris says: May 31, 2022 at 12:23 pm

    Was notified my passport was printed over 2 weeks ago, still waiting for delivery. The webchat service is a waste of time, never any availability, the passport advice line is no better, automated service that keeps sending you round in circles. Whatever happened to the art of conversation and being able to speak with a human!

  2. Magdalena says: June 13, 2022 at 10:40 am

    My supporting documents came back in very bad condition. The Passport Office sent it in soft envelope. My Certificate of naturalisation is creased. Whole process very stressful and long.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This field is required.

You may use these <abbr title="HyperText Markup Language">html</abbr> tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

*This field is required.