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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
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Other Photo shop, codes sent to email
Submission Date:
06-03-2025
Date Received:
14-03-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Sons 1st Adult (first ever passport) interview was required but waived with supporting evidence after a call to helpline who looked back through documents
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
10-03-2025
Date Received:
14-03-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
I was applying for an Adult Renewal for a passport expiring in just under a year. I sent my current passport by Special Delivery (to Corby) and paid the £10 for tracking. The processing time was incredibly quick and I note that the status updates have quite a lag. Here’s the actual timing:
10/03/2025 @ 11.02 – HMPO Application submitted status (sent old passport AFTER pick up time from post office)
11/03/2025 @ 20.00 – Royal Mail update to say item despatched
12/03/2025 @ 10.10 – Royal Mail update to say item received
12/03/2025 @ 16:18 – HMPO status updated — Old passport received
13/03/2025 @ 03:08 – HMPO status updated – Application approved
13/03/2025 @ 12:30 – Royal Mail text message to say HMPO item is due to be delivered 14/03/2025 (On checking Royal Mail status, parcel was received at Manchester office at 12:30)
13/03/2025 @ 22:31 – HMPO status updated – Your new passport has been printed.
14/03/2025 @ 08:44 – Royal Mail text message to say HMPO item is due to be delivered today
14/03/2025 @ 10:56 – Royal Mail delivers passport.
So, bearing in mind that the delivery of my old passport was delayed by a day as I could only reach the post office after work, the old passport arrived at HMPO on Wednesday morning and 48 hours later I was in receipt of my new passport!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
02-03-2025
Date Received:
11-03-2025
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:
03-03-2025
Date Received:
12-03-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Application submitted – Monday 3rd March
Documents sent – Wednesday 5th March
Documents delivered (per Royal Mail)- Thursday 6th March
Confirmation of receipt of documents – Friday 7th March
Passport approved – Monday 10th March
Passport printed – Monday 10th March
Passport delivered – Wednesday 12th March
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Other Shop
Submission Date:
02-03-2025
Date Received:
08-03-2025
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:
05-03-2025
Date Received:
13-03-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
It was very easy as I had all the documentation (plus provided extra to be safe), then contacted them on the webchat after it was marked as delivered to provide them the tracking number.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
12-03-2025
Date Received:
15-03-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Applied 1am Wednesday morning. Verify was identified by afternoon. Next day it was all approved. Then day later was being printed and sent of with courtier. The 4th day it’s being delivered due within the next 3 hours.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
26-02-2025
Date Received:
15-03-2025
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
Application submitted 26/02
Old passport arrived at HMPO 28/02
Old passport arrival acknowledged 06/03
Application approved 13/03
New passport posted 14/03
New Passport arrived 15/03
Was a bit stressful as my old passport was initially unlocated (lost) by HMPO for a week and then deemed to be damaged when found.
This required a signed written statement of how the damage occurred to be sent via post to them, further delaying things.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
01-03-2025
Date Received:
08-03-2025
Overall Experience:
Please Rate out of 5
Comments:
Passport Received 8 March 2025
Passport printed 6 March 2025
Application apprved 6 March 2025
Documents received 5 March 2025
Application received 1 March 2025
Application submitted 1 March 2025
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
10-03-2025
Date Received:
15-03-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Excellent turnaround.
Returning previous passport quickly is key as no processing done until they receive that.
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1st Child Passport
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
06-03-2025
Date Received:
14-03-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Child Renewal
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
28-02-2025
Date Received:
14-03-2025
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Needed additional document, send additional document 7 days after application and recieved passport 7 days later
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