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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:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Photo Method
Used a different photo booth (Not Photo-Me)
Submission Date:
29-01-2025
Date Received:
04-04-2025
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
I applied for my passport from Thailand through VFS Global in Bangkok on 29th January, and it arrived on 31st January. The payment was taken on 1st February. After that, I didn’t hear anything unless I chased for updates myself. The GOV.UK website says that overseas applications should take around 4 weeks, but mine took 9 weeks. During the process, I got a call asking me to send my original birth certificate and registration certificate, and I was told that overseas applications actually take 12 weeks—not 4. Later, I received an email saying the same thing. This was confusing because VFS already sent certified true copies. Still, I sent the original documents to Liverpool through VFS. Then, the next day, I got another email saying to ignore the previous message and they accepted the certified copies and apologize for the confusion. They scanned my application into the system on 14th March, and I got my reference number on the 18th. My passport was approved on 31st March and arrived at VFS on 4th April. So overall, it took 9 weeks. But if you’re counting from when they scanned it into the system, it only took 3 weeks. I was also told that the processing time starts from the date the application is marked as received—not the delivery date. But someone signed for my documents when they arrived, so I don’t understand why that date doesn’t count. If you apply from Thailand, you’d expect a max of 12 weeks. But honestly, this process has been confusing, with mixed messages and delays. I just wanted to share my experience and hopefully get some clarity.
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
24-03-2025
Date Received:
27-03-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
23-03-2025
Date Received:
03-04-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Slow part was sending old passport. That was delayed by Royal Mail by one day (Guaranteed by 1pm next day service). Everything else uneventful.
23/03 Submit application
24/03 Old passport sent back
26/03 Old passport arrived at HMPO
27/03 Old passport acknowledged by HMPO
29/03 Application approved
02/04 Royal Mail advised delivery of document next day
02/04 HMPO advise dispatch of new passport
03/04 both new and old passport arrived at the same time.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
London
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
31-03-2025
Date Received:
04-04-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very quick, applied on a Monday and posted my old passport the very same day, new passport arrived on Friday. No issues, and very speedy. Was contemplating to pay extra for the 1 week fast track, but I paid standard and it had a quick turnaround.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a different photo booth (Not Photo-Me)
Submission Date:
28-03-2025
Date Received:
03-04-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Completed online application Friday evening (28/03). Sent old passport on 29/03 by Royal Mail Tracked 48. Received confirmation that old passport had been received on Tuesday morning 01/04. Email confirming application had been approved was sent later the same day. Email confirming passport printed sent in the early hours of Wednesday 02/04. New passport received on Thursday 03/04. Much quicker than expected for a standard renewal, without paying extra for a fast track service.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
28-03-2025
Date Received:
05-04-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
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Lost or Stolen Passport Application
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Passport Office:
Newport
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
28-03-2025
Date Received:
03-04-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Passport application submitted 28th March.
Appointment at Newport office 1st April
Application approved 1st April
New passport received 3rd April
Very quick and seamless service!
1st Child Passport
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
24-03-2025
Date Received:
05-04-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Passport printed 1:32am on 4 April 2025
Application approved 9:52am on 3 April 2025
Documents received 3:47pm on 31 March 2025
Application received 10:36am on 27 March 2025
Identity details received 10:36am on 27 March 2025
Email sent to person confirming your identity 8:29am on 27 March 2025
Email sent to person confirming your identity 2:49pm on 25 March 2025
Ask someone to confirm your identity 10:58am on 24 March 2025
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
21-03-2025
Date Received:
02-04-2025
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Other Print Shop
Submission Date:
06-03-2025
Date Received:
01-04-2025
Overall Experience:
Please Rate out of 5
Comments:
There is a delay of about a week acknowledging receipt of documents via email/text. Online chat confirm receiving it but linking it to the application took a week then eventually back dated to a few days after Royal Mail delivery. Many documents were needed. Passport was delivered within 3 weeks of “documents received” on the portal. Supporting documents were delivered the day after we received the new passport.
Child Renewal
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
27-03-2025
Date Received:
05-04-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very easy and smooth. Standard service but very fast
Overseas Passport Application
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Photo Method
Used a different photo booth (Not Photo-Me)
Submission Date:
29-01-2025
Date Received:
04-04-2025
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
I applied for my passport from Thailand through VFS Global in Bangkok on 29th January, and it arrived on 31st January. The payment was taken on 1st February. After that, I didn’t hear anything unless I chased for updates myself. The GOV.UK website says that overseas applications should take around 4 weeks, but mine took 9 weeks. During the process, I got a call asking me to send my original birth certificate and registration certificate, and I was told that overseas applications actually take 12 weeks—not 4. Later, I received an email saying the same thing. This was confusing because VFS already sent certified true copies. Still, I sent the original documents to Liverpool through VFS. Then, the next day, I got another email saying to ignore the previous message and they accepted the certified copies and apologize for the confusion. They scanned my application into the system on 14th March, and I got my reference number on the 18th. My passport was approved on 31st March and arrived at VFS on 4th April. So overall, it took 9 weeks. But if you’re counting from when they scanned it into the system, it only took 3 weeks. I was also told that the processing time starts from the date the application is marked as received—not the delivery date. But someone signed for my documents when they arrived, so I don’t understand why that date doesn’t count. If you apply from Thailand, you’d expect a max of 12 weeks. But honestly, this process has been confusing, with mixed messages and delays. I just wanted to share my experience and hopefully get some clarity.
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