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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:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
10-12-2024
Date Received:
17-12-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
11-12-2024
Date Received:
17-12-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Durham
Photo Method
Other Chemist
Submission Date:
28-11-2024
Date Received:
18-12-2024
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
London
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
06-12-2024
Date Received:
10-12-2024
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
I paid for Premium service, had my appointment at the office on 10th Dec and today it is 16th that I have heard nothing yet. The promise of 1 day turnaround was not kept I’m very disappointed and anxious as a matter of urgency. My application is still doing ‘standard checks’.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
12-12-2024
Date Received:
17-12-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Website process is straightforward and very easy, government digital services at its best!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Used a different photo booth (Not Photo-Me)
Submission Date:
12-12-2024
Date Received:
18-12-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
They said they couldn’t confirm my details so had to get someone to support online but when i submitted it it was approved in about 20 mins
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
12-12-2024
Date Received:
18-12-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Super fast service at the moment, I completed the application on Thursday 12th (12/12/24) and sent off my old passport the same day, the tracking was marked as delivered on Friday (13/12/24) they notified me they received it on Monday (16/12/24) approved it the same day and it was printed and dispatched to me by the 17th, I have not received it (18/12/24). Essentially 4 working days from the delivery of my old passport for my new one to be with me.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
12-12-2024
Date Received:
18-12-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Super fast service at the moment, I completed the application on Thursday 12th (12/12/24) and sent off my old passport the same day, the tracking was marked as delivered on Friday (13/12/24) they notified me they received it on Monday (16/12/24) approved it the same day and it was printed and dispatched to me by the 17th, I have not received it (18/12/24). Essentially 4 working days from the delivery of my old passport for my new one to be with me.
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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:
06-12-2024
Date Received:
13-12-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
08-12-2024
Date Received:
13-12-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Child Renewal
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Durham
Photo Method
Other Kodak shop
Submission Date:
03-12-2024
Date Received:
17-12-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Passport was originally sent to Durham and arrived on the 5th – transferred from Durham to Liverpool the following day.
Text received on 11th that they had received renewal – approved application 16th and printed same day!
Received on the 17th.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
08-12-2024
Date Received:
14-12-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Overseas Passport Application
Type of Application:
First UK Passport (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Other I went to a photo shop in my country of residence that specifically offers services for UK passport/visa applications.
Submission Date:
21-10-2024
Date Received:
17-12-2024
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
My experience with HMPO was incredibly frustrating. Different officers provided conflicting advice, which caused significant delays to my application. The Corby office lost my documents on multiple occasions. There was zero accountability even when the fault was clearly on their part. I had to apply twice in the end (although the fee for my initial application was refunded after I submitted a complaint). All in all, the process took 8 months and cost a large amount in international shipping fees (and even more in sanity). I can only find solace in the fact that I hopefully will not have to deal with HMPO for another 10 years.
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