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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 Went to an official passport photographer
Submission Date:
03-10-2024
Date Received:
19-11-2024
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
I had to send paperwork several times as I needed my mother’s passport and birth certificate and I needed to get UK paperwork for a name change I had completed in the country of my birth several years ago. I turned in the final round of paperwork on November 15th and received the approval the following Monday. The printed passport arrived the next day.
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
15-11-2024
Date Received:
21-11-2024
Overall Experience:
Please Rate out of 5
Comments:
This was also with name change! Didn’t pay for fast track.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
19-11-2024
Date Received:
23-11-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a different photo booth (Not Photo-Me)
Submission Date:
18-11-2024
Date Received:
22-11-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
21-08-2024
Date Received:
22-11-2024
Overall Experience:
Please Rate out of 5
Comments:
Frustrating as despite calls, emails and web chat unable to determine reason for extensive delay. Unsympathetic response to pending holiday booking to recover from major surgery. Still pending response to request for review of complaint response
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
17-11-2024
Date Received:
22-11-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
01-11-2024
Date Received:
23-11-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Sent old passport 2/11 – they acknowledged receipt over 2 weeks later – despite sending it them Signed for 48hrs
HMPO Timelines (descending order)
Passport printed 1:11am on 22 November 2024
Application approved 8:49am on 21 November 2024
Documents received 9:55pm on 18 November 2024
Application received 8:32pm on 1 November 2024
Application submitted 8:32pm on 1 November 2024
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Photo Method
Used a different photo booth (Not Photo-Me)
Submission Date:
14-11-2024
Date Received:
23-11-2024
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
14-11-2024
Date Received:
21-11-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very quick and easy process. We submitted our application on Thursday, sent our old passports on Friday and they didn’t receive them until Monday so receiving our new passports just three days later was impressive. And we received our old passports the following day. We were kept up to date on the process throughout. Super simple to renew.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Other Snappy snaps on the high street, gave me a code.
Submission Date:
15-11-2024
Date Received:
23-11-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
It was smooth.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Other A friend took it on a digital camera
Submission Date:
18-11-2024
Date Received:
22-11-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Much quicker than I expected. I took the photo and uploaded the application on Monday morning. I then paid signed delivery (an extra £8) to send my old passport to HMPO at 4pm. It was recorded as received on Tuesday, and approved Tuesday afternoon and sent to printing. On Thursday I was informed it was going to be delivered and it appeared with my old passport on Friday. I did pay an extra £5 for my old passport to be sent signed delivery.
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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:
14-11-2024
Date Received:
22-11-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Easy and quick.
Overseas Passport Application
Type of Application:
First UK Passport (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a different photo booth (Not Photo-Me)
Submission Date:
10-11-2024
Date Received:
22-11-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
I applied on 9 November and had my identity confirmed on 10:November. I did not send out my docs until 12 November. It was received on 14 November, uploaded on 18 November and was printed and sent out by 20 November. Efficient,
Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
05-11-2024
Date Received:
22-11-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
It was an easy process and I can’t believe how quickly it came considering I am in Canada. Less than 3 weeks from application to receiving new passport. Very happy with the process!
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