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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
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
11-01-2025
Date Received:
04-02-2025
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a different photo booth (Not Photo-Me)
Submission Date:
24-01-2025
Date Received:
04-02-2025
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:
23-01-2025
Date Received:
31-01-2025
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:
29-01-2025
Date Received:
05-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
04-11-2024
Date Received:
04-02-2025
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Only took so long because I had to wait for the documents I needed to arrive and one of which was lost in the post so I had to order another one. Documents were delivered on the 27th January by Royal Mail and they were marked as delivered by HM on the 28th January. Also had a hiccup where the person I had chosen to approve my identity wasn’t acceptable so had to choose someone else, it was then approved the next day.
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a different photo booth (Not Photo-Me)
Submission Date:
07-12-2024
Date Received:
04-02-2025
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
It’s very stressful and makes people feel an equal
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Other Max speilman
Submission Date:
20-01-2025
Date Received:
04-02-2025
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Durham
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
24-05-2024
Date Received:
07-06-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Surprisingly no interview needed.
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Other Photography Shop
Submission Date:
09-01-2025
Date Received:
16-01-2025
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Application was submitted in the evening on the 9th. Sent passport off via Royal Mail special delivery with guaranteed Saturday delivery the day after on the Friday 10th, but it did not get delivered until Monday 13th (HMPO also confirmed receipt of documents the same day). It appears they do not receive mail on the Saturday as Royal Mail was advised that they could not deliver on the Saturday I paid for delivery on. Application approved on the 14th and was printed the same day. Was shipped out on the 15th with Royal Mail delivery on the 16th.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
18-01-2025
Date Received:
27-01-2025
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Peterborough
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
03-01-2025
Date Received:
04-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Apart from finding it difficult to take a photo myself. It was easy and fast. I didn’t say it was urgent. So basic service. Kept up to date email and via text. So much simpler than form filling.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
25-01-2025
Date Received:
05-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
30-01-2025
Date Received:
04-02-2025
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:
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
Used a different photo booth (Not Photo-Me)
Submission Date:
24-01-2025
Date Received:
29-01-2025
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:
26-01-2025
Date Received:
04-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Excellent service, when my old passport was received by the office I was notified the same day, I was kept informed about when my details were being checked and again when my new passport was being printed and finally again when it was with the delivery service. I received a text with a time my passport would be delivered. No problems.
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1st Child Passport
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Durham
Photo Method
Used a different photo booth (Not Photo-Me)
Submission Date:
05-11-2024
Date Received:
03-02-2025
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
22-01-2025
Date Received:
01-02-2025
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Sent all documents requested following sons name change – received an email after a week advising I needed to send proof of name in use which had already been sent originally. I rang and told them proof of child benefit entitlement was in the evidence pack. I then received an email to say it must be dated within the last 12 months. I rang again to tell them the proof of child benefit entitlement was dated and time stamped January 2025. I then received a further email to say they are unable to verify mine or my sons dads signatures and to send either passports/driver’s lisences OR utility bill and bank statement (neither of which have signatures). Rang again to tell them 3 documents of mine sent off have my physical address on and two have ny physical signature. They also had my sons dads signature on file so after a third phonecall, it finally got approved. A LOT of unnecessary faff which could have been avoided had the examiner done their job properly 3 TIMES.
Child Renewal
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
26-01-2025
Date Received:
04-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
26-01-2025
Date Received:
04-02-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
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