1st Adult Passport
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Submission Date:
2022-05-27
Date Received:
2022-07-05
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
So I had my naturalisation ceremony on 27th May and that same day, I applied for my first British passport. I sent off the supporting documents by post on 31/05/2022. This was received the next day but the site updated as 07/06/2022.
Then it was a long wait to get it approved, but because I needed ID (for a job) by 30th June, I called the passport office and requested for this to be processed quicker. They gave me an email to send evidence that I need my passport sooner.
Although I didn’t receive my passport by the 30th, I received an email that day to say my passport was approved.
It was then printed on the 2nd July and I received it by TNT on 5th July.
All in all a very lengthy process if you include the fact that I applied for my naturalisation back in March. 4 months in total to get to this point.
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Submission Date:
2022-03-13
Date Received:
2022-06-28
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Process was clear and easy but I had to wait way too long.
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Submission Date:
2022-04-24
Date Received:
2022-06-29
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
It was pretty plain sailing until it reached the point I required an interview as I couldn’t get any appointments and the booking lines were full. I resorted to emailing my MP who managed to advise me and then a few days after our final communication I was told I no longer required an interview.
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-05-16
Date Received:
2022-06-09
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Renewal was due to change of name.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-05-03
Date Received:
2022-07-05
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
The whole experience was very stressful. The upgrade team were very helpful. Once I had paid the extra fee the Passport was approved and printed within an hour. I was asked when I would like to collect it, and given a choice of Peterborough, London or Newport. I chose Newport because it is the closest passport office to where I live, and collected it this morning. The collection process was straightforward, and there were no long queues of people waiting to be seen.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-06-13
Date Received:
2022-07-05
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Submitted on the 13th of June but didn’t actually send it till the 17th. HMPO officially received it on the 21st.
My renewal needed a counter signature, I want to point out that they won’t tell you that your referee is ineligible, only kick you back to asking someone to confirm your identity. So if you find yourself getting kicked back, find someone else.
Outside that, TNT was a bit of a nightmare. Tried to deliver to the wrong address the first time around. After some rigamarole on the phone lines with them, They got it right on the second attempt.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-06-19
Date Received:
2022-07-05
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Much quicker than expected given the horror stories. Submitted the application on 19 June, posted my old passport off a few days after that, received the new one 5 July. Minus one star for the automatic checks telling me my photo had some issues despite it meeting all the requirements. I submitted it anyway and it was fine.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-06-22
Date Received:
2022-07-05
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Everything was incredibly easy and quick!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-05-05
Date Received:
2022-07-01
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
Application submitted and received 6 weeks later. Very worried that it would take longer than 10 weeks so 6 weeks wasn’t so bad.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-06-22
Date Received:
2022-07-05
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Applied online 22.06
Poster old passport 24.06
Old passport received 28.06
Application approved 1.07
New passport printed 4.07
New passport delivered 5.07
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-06-20
Date Received:
2022-07-05
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Needed for travel at the end of July and despite old passport being valid till 2023 it would have been older than ten years and unable to go to Europe.
No 1 week or emergency appointments available so decided to chance the regular renewal.
Submitted online 20th of June with photo taken at home using phone
Old document sent via next day recorded delivery on 20th of June before last post
Royal mail marked as delivered 21st of June
Passport office marked as delivered 23rd of June
Application approved 1st of July
Passport delivered 5th of July
Passport office was the Liverpool one.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-06-15
Date Received:
2022-06-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Passport arrived rather quickly. Thanks
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-06-26
Date Received:
2022-07-05
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
I completed the application online with a photo taken at a booth that gave me an online code. I was toying with paying for the passport to be fast tracked but I’m glad I didn’t as I had it in my hands within 9 days (3 of which were over weekends). My application was assigned to Peterborough. Very pleased and surprised by the super quick turnaround time!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-02-13
Date Received:
2022-07-05
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
The whole experience was a nightmare
After two months of no updates I realised that my old passport had been lost in delivery, so I spend a day of trying to talk to somebody at the passport office. It then took them another week to do anything about it, finally taking just over the estimated 10 weeks to approve, print and deliver my new passport.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-05-03
Date Received:
2022-05-26
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
I applied at the beginning of the month for a passport, and I was travelling at the end. Admittedly I was late, however it arrived the day before. I couldn’t have been more grateful. Getting through to someone to talk too or getting an email response was near impossible, but once I did everything was sorted for me. I am extremely grateful for the passport office for making my holiday possible, but I would recommend a bit more communication with applicants to put their minds at ease during a stressful journey.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-05
Date Received:
2022-07-05
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Tracking system was very slow and was inaccurate as the report and messages related to my wife’s application, not mine!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-25
Date Received:
Not Received
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Not received 10 weeks and counting and going on holiday in 3 days
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-06-20
Date Received:
2022-07-05
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
20th June online application. Old passport sent by Royal Mail Special Delivery.
21st June documents delivered
24th June confirmation of receiving documents
30th June application has been approved
2nd July passport has been printed
It arrived before the WWW site updated with dispatch and tracking information
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-06-28
Date Received:
2022-07-05
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Passport printed 5:02am on 4 July 2022
Application approved 2:03am on 1 July 2022
Documents received 2:34pm on 30 June 2022
Application received 2:49pm on 28 June 2022
Application submitted 2:49pm on 28 June 2022
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-06-05
Date Received:
2022-06-21
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Easy online application and kept up to date throughout process. Quick, easy and efficient.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-06-20
Date Received:
2022-07-01
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Adult passport renewal. Was fully expecting for this to take about 10 weeks but was very impressed with how quick it took. Bootle passport office.
Application submitted 9:49am on 20 June 2022
Application received 9:49am on 20 June 2022
Documents received 1:45pm on 27 June 2022
Application approved 12:33pm on 29 June 2022
Passport printed 11:01pm on 30 June 2022
Passport received by TNT on 1st July 2022
Lost or Stolen Passport Application
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Submission Date:
2022-04-25
Date Received:
2022-07-04
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Long service no real updates provided as so why it took so long. Missed our holiday.
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Submission Date:
2022-04-18
Date Received:
2022-07-07
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
OK so we are leaving on holiday on Sunday 10th July and it was getting close to leaving date. Had a call today to collect the passport today for Thursday 7th at Peterborough. Having read the forums it helped, although many people have been frustrated and stressed, the reality is that the passport always seems to arrive in the nick of time. After 10 weeks I made the first phone call and with two weeks to go they suggested that I send info of flight to the Expedite team, which I duly did and they acknowledged, but of course like many no phone calls. I ended up speaking to a Customer Service Manager and she advised me that I would get a call 2-3 working days before I was due to leave. Sure enough I got that phone call from the expedite team saying passport will be ready for Thursday. It is the not hearing that gets everyone stressed out, but they work to the deadline and get there in the end. Although it was stressful, all I can say is try and keep calm it will happen just make sure your diary is free to collect the passport at the last minute. Enjoy your holidays everyone.
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Submission Date:
2022-06-03
Date Received:
2022-07-01
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Considering I was getting a renewal on a lost passport that had also gone out of date I was expecting to be waiting the 10 weeks estimated by HMPO, however it was a nice surprise that it was printed and i received it in just over 4.
Thank god I can now book a holiday.
1st Child Passport
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-05-14
Date Received:
2022-06-24
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Documents weren’t received by passport service until 30 May 2022 – so less than 1 month for document to be issued from that point.
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-04-22
Date Received:
2022-09-01
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Applied in April, took them 5 weeks to acknowledge documents had been received, although I could see that they had arrived there the day after I sent them with royal mail tracking.
10 weeks down the line and nothing more has happened, my application has still not been processed. After months of trying to call I finally managed to speak to someone from the passport office…they sent an email on my behalf and told me to expect a call within 2 working days, which of course didn’t happen. I even went to the passport office in Victoria and all they could do was give me an email address which they told me to write to. This whole experience has just been unbelievable I just don’t understand how it can take this long.
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-05-05
Date Received:
Not Received
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Nothing since ‘documents received’
Documents received 5:53pm on 18 May 2022
Application received 11:14pm on 6 May 2022
Identity details received 11:14pm on 6 May 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 11:46pm on 5 May 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity 4:48pm on 5 May 2022
Application submitted 4:48pm on 5 May 2022
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-07-14
Date Received:
2022-07-31
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
14/06 – Submitted application also Identity checks confirmed. 22/06 documents received. Still not heart anything or updated system. Need to be going away soon. Been told I cannot upgrade to fast track until the 26th of July??
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-05-05
Date Received:
2022-06-24
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Rang multiple times to see if passport could be fast tracked, always told upgrade team would ring within 48hrs but never did. Then told to send an email to upgrade team, and would need to pay £100. 2 days later was called to say passport ready for collection, no extra payment needed.
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-04-01
Date Received:
2022-06-30
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Spent over 3 weeks chasing this, so many calls I lost track, hours upon hours on the phone. Broken promises, HMPO sent a document back without linking it to the application, so it had to be sent again, causing more delays. Whilst they admitted it was their mistake, it didn’t move things along.
Cancelled the original flight, rebooked 4 days later, with assurances it would arrive in time. Cancelled & rebooked that flight also. Finally got away 5 days later, after a mad dash to London, to collect in person. Total shambles.
Child Renewal
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-13
Date Received:
2022-07-05
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Paper application via Post Office check and send on 13th April.
Text message on 22 April from HMPO to confirm receipt.
Several requests for a progress update just said “Waiting to be checked”.
Printed 1st July, received 5th July
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-02-14
Date Received:
Not Received
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Second time daughter’s passport has been sent to the passport office in six months, first time both daughter’s passports were up for renewal, elder daughter went through with flying colours, other one didn’t. Man could not verify the person who signed for both on the second daughter’s and then rejected the application! Passport then lost on return!
Apply again in February, details of daughter’s passport in, but LR number not submitted as I had assumed they still had the passport. Get new lost reference number by April.
It is now 5 July and despite people not responding I haven’t yet died from the amount of stress this has given me.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-05-28
Date Received:
Not Received
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Applied on 28th April.
It has now been over 9 weeks. Been told it’s at ‘Examination’ stage.
Need it for a school trip on 11th July.
It doesn’t look like we will get it.
On this forum people have talked about getting an upgrade if you are travelling within two weeks. How do you get to speak to someone about this please?
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-27
Date Received:
2022-07-02
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Complete and utter shambles.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-05-31
Date Received:
2022-07-05
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Never received an update on shipping or tracking number.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-06-20
Date Received:
2022-07-05
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Submitted a child passport renewal, with my own passport renewal. Again very impressed with the time it took to get it. This time the Peterborough passport office. Only a few days later than Bootle.
Application submitted 10:08am on 20 June 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity 10:08am on 20 June 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 10:51am on 20 June 2022
Identity details received 11:01am on 20 June 2022
Application received 11:01am on 20 June 2022
Documents received 9:22am on 27 June 2022
Application approved 5:33pm on 30 June 2022
Passport printed 9:26pm on 2 July 2022
Passport received by TNT on 5 July 2022
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-14
Date Received:
2022-06-28
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
We heard nothing since the passport was received by the office, one week after applying (21st April). We emailed to ask for an expedited service for a flight on the 29th June (which we cancelled to be sure). We were put through an expedited service at a cost of £104 inc postage. What a joke, especially given others are receiving their passport within a couple of weeks. Who knows when it would have arrived had we not asked for it to be sped up.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-26
Date Received:
2022-07-05
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
At Belfast. Sat at docs received for almost 2 months.
Waste of time trying to get to get any help from advice line, text or webchat. Once I got to speak to customer management team they were very helpful and got my upgrade put through 72 hours before my travel date. Process very quick once upgrade team called and approved.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-05-31
Date Received:
2022-07-06
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Still not received and when speaking to people they are inconsistent around processes. We were not informed to report the lost passport as being lost which then generated a reference number which then needed attaching to passport. I know the guidance is 10 weeks but I know people that had them back like my son in 2 weeks!
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-06-11
Date Received:
2022-06-29
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Incredibly quick turnaround for child renewal. However I also submitted a first time child passport at the same time. They have acknowledged documents have been received but no update since.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-11
Date Received:
2022-07-05
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Two very different experiences for renewals submitted at exactly the same time.
I applied for two child renewal passports for my two sons using the post office check and send process on 11th April, one I received after 2 weeks (fantastic) but the other has taken just over 12 weeks.
The second passport has been a nightmare from the beginning, it wasn’t even at documents received until 17 days after submission, and I already had the 1st Passport in my hand.
At 10 weeks after submission I could not escalate because “The rules” apparently state it can only be escalated 10 weeks from documents received status. This adds 17 days to my ability to escalate.
I involved my MP at 10 weeks from submission, and things started to move, had to jump through some additional hoops from the upgrade team, but I just did their bidding rather than argue.
Passport printed 5:38am on 4 July 2022
Application approved 10:35am on 1 July 2022
Documents received 10:11am on 28 April 2022
Application received 6:00pm on 11 April 2022
Identity details received 6:00pm on 11 April 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 4:36pm on 11 April 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity 2:38pm on 11 April 2022
Application submitted 2:38pm on 11 April 2022
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-06-16
Date Received:
2022-07-05
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Submitted online on 16/6, old passport marked as received on 21/6, email to verify identity on 28/6, application approved 29/6, printed 1/7 and received today 5/7.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-25
Date Received:
2022-06-06
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
The entire process was traumatising and utterly mentally exhausting. I spent hours on hold trying to talk to someone on the Passport Advice line, one day I spent 6 hours on hold.
The passport application system is cruel, it is deliberately divisive and distant. It has been designed to make it impossible to get clarity or get a simple resolution to what was just a standard upgrade with no additional information required.
The passport offices are intentionally disconnected and inaccessible. It is a labyrinthine network of bureaucratic traps, it is like being in a Kafka novel.
Having paid over £100 more I eventually collected the passport on the day of the flight driving 130 miles to the passport office then on to the airport.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-06-13
Date Received:
2022-07-01
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
2 passports applied for at the same time (both child renewals). One old passport instructed to be sent to Peterborough and one to Bootle. Was slightly concerned about that but trusted the process. Received the 2 new passports on the same day so no difference in processing times.
1 Week Fast Track Application
Type of Application:
1 Week Fast Track Service
Submission Date:
2022-06-30
Date Received:
2022-07-01
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
I had a 7:45 am appointment so was in and out in about 45 mins. TBH I am amazed by my experience given what’s happening with the online applications.
Type of Application:
1 Week Fast Track Service
Submission Date:
2022-06-23
Date Received:
2022-06-29
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Hard to get fast track appointment and had to travel to durham, came within a week after the appointment though.
I received my new passport on the 24th June but haven’t received my old one up until now. Would there be any experiences on this and upto how long are they generally taking
Hi,
A 1st Adult Passport story above mentioned an email address they were told to contact regarding their approval for employment purposes. Would anyone happen to know the email address? My job offer is about to expire in 24-hours and it’s been over 6-weeks since my application. All I need is for it to be approved (not the physical passport).
Hi Jake, unfortunately I do not have this persons email address or I would have asked them. I would recommend posting your question on our Forum also. Or you can use the search function and someone might have already posted the email address. Good luck.