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Whether you’re eagerly waiting for your passport or planning to apply soon, this page offers valuable insights from others who have gone through the process.
How This Page Works
Every day, applicants like you share their passport application experiences on our site. They provide:
- Application Date: When they submitted their passport application.
- Receipt Date: When they received their new passport.
- Photo Method: How they obtained their passport photo (e.g., at home, pharmacy, professional service).
- Processing Office: The passport office or centre that handled their application so you can check to see how quick the agency you have been assigned is processing passports.
Additionally, applicants often share helpful tips and observations that can assist you in managing your application or understanding current processing trends.
Stay Informed
Monitor the latest wait times and gain a realistic expectation for when your passport might arrive based on real-world data. Knowing what to expect can ease anxieties and assist in planning your travels.
Compare Processing Times
See how different agencies and photo methods impact processing speeds. This can help you choose the best options to potentially reduce your wait time.
Learn from Others
Benefit from the experiences of fellow applicants. Many share crucial advice, like which agencies are processing faster or tips for avoiding common pitfalls.
Share Your Experience
Help us keep this page accurate and useful by submitting your own passport wait time once you receive your passport. Your contribution will assist others and contribute to a clearer picture of the current processing landscape.
1st Adult Passport
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport With Interview
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Please select
Submission Date:
30-01-2025
Date Received:
15-02-2025
Overall Experience:
Please Rate out of 5
Comments:
I was called on the 4th to set up the interview on the 13th of Feb. This was conducted on teams. The passport was approved that day and I’m receiving it on the 15th as per Royal Mail message
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Used a different photo booth (Not Photo-Me)
Submission Date:
05-02-2025
Date Received:
12-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
27-01-2025
Date Received:
13-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
03-02-2025
Date Received:
13-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
27-01-2025
Date Received:
06-02-2025
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
03-02-2025
Date Received:
14-02-2025
Overall Experience:
Please Rate out of 5
Comments:
I sent off for my passport on 3rd Feb, documents posted 4th Feb then marked as recieved on 6th Feb. Had some teething issues as didn’t realise I should apply for renewal as I have an expired passport from 8yrs ago I lost, marked as lost and updated my application. Person not eligible to confirm identity so tried another and then this was sorted on 11th Feb. Approved 12th, printed 13th and recieved 14th Feb!
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Peterborough
Photo Method
Other Post Office Passport Digital Check and Send
Submission Date:
30-01-2025
Date Received:
15-02-2025
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
I waved goodbye to my non-UK passport and British naturalisation certificate on 30 January but the Passport Office did not confirm that they had received my documents until 11 February so I had no idea if they had actually received them or not. I will breathe more easily when those are finally returned to me so that I may start the renewal process of my non-UK passport.
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
01-02-2025
Date Received:
13-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Nice and Easy, quick return with no issues
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Durham
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
04-02-2025
Date Received:
14-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
03-02-2025
Date Received:
08-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Photo Method
Other I used Post Office Digital Check & Send, and the sub-postmaster took my photograph using an official Passport Office iPad.
Submission Date:
30-01-2025
Date Received:
13-02-2025
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
I used the Digital Check & Send service at my local Post Office. The sub-postmaster used an official Passport Office app on an iPad to complete my application and also to take my photograph. He then packaged up my old passport into a Special Delivery envelope to send to the Passport Office. That was all very easy and convenient. However, for the first 8 days, the Passport Office status page said “We are waiting for your old passport”. I began to worry that the old passport had been lost in the post. I wasn’t given a Royal Mail tracking number, so I had no way to know whether the Passport Office had received it. Finally, I received a text and an email to acknowledge that the Passport Office had my old passport. Things moved a lot faster from then on. Friday: We have your old passport. Tuesday: Your application has been approved. Wednesday: Your passport has been printed and is on its way to you. Thursday (today, exactly two weeks from starting the process): The postie drops my new passport through the letterbox.
Tip for anyone planning to use the Post Office Check & Send service: ask the sub-postmaster to give you the Royal Mail tracking number on the package that contains your old passport!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Other Went to SnappySnaps and had my photo taken
Submission Date:
29-01-2025
Date Received:
05-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Used a different photo booth (Not Photo-Me)
Submission Date:
02-02-2025
Date Received:
12-02-2025
Overall Experience:
Please Rate out of 5
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Other
Submission Date:
02-02-2025
Date Received:
13-02-2025
Overall Experience:
Please Rate out of 5
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
03-02-2025
Date Received:
12-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Great tracking status messages sent regularly from the Passport Office – cant believe it only took 9 days from submission to receipt.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Other Snappy Snaps
Submission Date:
11-02-2025
Date Received:
15-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Application submitted 11 Feb
Posted old passport 12 Feb
Passport approved 13 Feb
New passport printed and dispatched 14 Feb
New passport received 15 Feb
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Photo Method
Other Timpsons
Submission Date:
10-02-2025
Date Received:
15-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
29-01-2025
Date Received:
05-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
08-02-2025
Date Received:
15-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Applied online 8/2/2025
Posted by special delivery 10/2/2025
Received by passport office 11/2/2025
Approved 13/2/2025
Printed 13/2/2025
Dispatched by Royal Mail – track 24 14/2/25
Received 15/2/25
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Used a different photo booth (Not Photo-Me)
Submission Date:
07-02-2025
Date Received:
15-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
06-02-2025
Date Received:
15-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Online process was very simple and gave straightforward instructions . I have an upcoming trip in a few months so was concerned regarding potential delays in the renewal process.
Application submitted – 6th Feb late PM
Old passport sent – 7th Feb – special delivery
Delivery signed for – 10th Feb (following Mon)
Tracker updated passport received 11th Feb
Passport approved – 13th Feb
Passport printed – 14th Feb AM
Tracking details received 14th Feb PM
Passport delivered – Sat 15th
Tracker was really reassuring in giving updates when each step had been processed via email and text. Very happy with the service, no complaints.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
05-02-2025
Date Received:
14-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
I submitted the application on Wednesday 5th Feb, sent off my documents the next day Thursday 6th Feb via tracked delivery, saw on the tracking that it was delivered just before 9am on Friday 7th Feb but it was not registered by the passport office till the following Monday 10th Feb, my application was approved on Wednesday 12th Feb and my passport was printed and dispatched via Royal Mail tracked 24 hour delivery on Thursday 13th Feb and I received it on Friday 14th Feb
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a different photo booth (Not Photo-Me)
Submission Date:
31-01-2025
Date Received:
07-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
I ordered a frequent traveller passport, adult renewal. The new passport was delivered exactly 1 week after sending my old passport in the post. The old passport was return to me 3 days later.
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Lost or Stolen Passport Application
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Photo Method
Other Chemist
Submission Date:
07-02-2025
Date Received:
13-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
1st Child Passport
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a different photo booth (Not Photo-Me)
Submission Date:
07-02-2025
Date Received:
15-02-2025
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
02-02-2025
Date Received:
13-02-2025
Overall Experience:
Please Rate out of 5
Child Renewal
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a different photo booth (Not Photo-Me)
Submission Date:
07-02-2025
Date Received:
15-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Other Max Spielmann (code provided)
Submission Date:
10-02-2025
Date Received:
14-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Overseas Passport Application
Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
07-02-2025
Date Received:
11-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Sent from France via Chronopost on 06/02, received at the passport office on 07/02 with approval and printing on 11/02. Now to wait for the delivery.
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