Feedback, experiences, timelines, tips and useful information from people that have recently been through the UK passport application process.
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Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-03-22
Date Received:
2023-04-04
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Application submitted 9:45pm on 22 March 2023
[Sent expired passport on 23rd with next day delivery, arrived on 24th]
Documents received [i.e. acknowledged and beginning of process] 3:39pm on 27 March 2023
Application approved 2:02pm on 30 March 2023
Passport printed 9:16pm on 31 March 2023
[Passport sent on 03 April via DHL, arrived on 04 April. Expired passport returned a week later]
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Submission Date:
2023-04-07
Date Received:
2023-04-18
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Passport printed 1:16am on 15 April 2023
Application approved 6:43am on 14 April 2023
Documents received 8:39pm on 13 April 2023
Application received 4:39pm on 7 April 2023
Application submitted 4:39pm on 7 April 2023
Standard passport renewal. I received notification from TNT that my passport is due to be delivered today (18/04/2023). I sent my old passport back by Next Day Delivery Signed For. Amazed at the speed, especially considering the postal strikes and two bank holidays. From application to delivery, renewal of my passport took six working days.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Submission Date:
2023-04-10
Date Received:
2023-04-17
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Incredibly fast – very surprised!
Application history
Status / Date
Passport received 17 April 2023
Passport printed 14 April 2023
Application approved 13 April 2023
Documents received 13 April 2023
Application received 10 April 2023
Application submitted 10 April 2023
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Submission Date:
2023-04-03
Date Received:
2023-04-18
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
15 days total including 2 bank holidays so bang on average of 12 days. Extremely happy with this as was expecting an uphill struggle based on strikes etc.
Passport printed 10:49pm on 17 April 2023
Application approved 5:21pm on 14 April 2023
Documents received 4:09pm on 5 April 2023
Application received 10:17am on 3 April 2023
Application submitted 12:16am on 3 April 2023
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Submission Date:
2023-03-30
Date Received:
2023-04-17
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Regular updates by email
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2023-04-12
Date Received:
2023-04-18
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Had to use a photograph shop to take photo, but all processed online very quickly. Sent old passports by recorder delivery.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Submission Date:
2023-04-12
Date Received:
2023-04-18
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Did online application on 12th April Sent old passport by next day special delivery on 13th. Got confirmation at each stage by text and email and received new passport first thing today. Couldn’t fault it!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Submission Date:
2023-04-03
Date Received:
2023-04-17
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Excellent service, with being on strike, and two bank Holidays. After a call to the call center I was advised that my picture might be rejected so I was advised to get one done in a booth and get the code. This was done and the code given and the application was accepted that evening.
Passport printed 2:10am on 14 April 2023
Application approved 11:16am on 13 April 2023
Documents received 11:18pm on 4 April 2023
Application received 9:39am on 3 April 2023
Application submitted 9:38am on 3 April 2023
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-04-03
Date Received:
2023-04-18
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Had a major panic as an impromptu upcoming trip and expired passport unfortunately coincided exactly with the passport strike. I had planned on getting a fast track appointment but lack of availability I assume due to upcoming strike/panic I couldn’t get one the week before the strikes started, and after following this page and the incredibly useful twitter feeds (thank you!) I decided it was worth risking it and applying the normal way even though my holiday was 8/9 weeks away. The hardest part was actually finding somewhere to get a digital photo done! Boots booth didn’t work/ others no longer had them, eventually found one in Tesco, sent off my application with the digital photo code and then immediately went to post office and mailed my old passport recorded delivery. I did actually keep checking the fast track appointments just out of interest and at this point and sure enough, a couple of days after I had applied they were starting to show a lot more availability and I could relatively easily have booked appointments in London, however with my application sent it was too late for this so I could only wait it out and hope for the best!
There was a big pause between them receiving my passport and the next step, I had assumed it was because of the two bank holidays but I was starting to worry. Then I received a phone call as there was an issue with my previous details not matching my submitted one (middle name was missing) it was an easy fix, i confirmed i wasn’t looking to change my name and it was just an oversight, they said that was fine and just sent me the extra step to ask someone to confirm my identity which was done in less than an hour. From then have received several updates and am just awaiting confirmation from DHL. Even with my mistake and two bank holidays it looks like it’ll have only taken around 3 weeks once delivered!
If it wasn’t for this website and the twitter I would have been A LOT more stressed than I already was about the whole situation but it certainly gave me hope and a far more realistic overview of how long the process takes.
Application submitted: 4:17 3rd April (strike day!!!)
Old Passport Posted: approx 4:50 3rd April
Documents Received: 2:46 5th April
Missed Call and voicemail saying they would call back: 1:30pm 14th April
Phone call received: 2:30pm 14th April
Ask someone to confirm your identity 2:32 14th April
Identity details received: 3:18 14th April
Application Approved: 3:19 14th April
Passport Printed 3:01am 17th April
Also received a text from DHL confirming they are awaiting the parcel.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-04-03
Date Received:
2023-04-18
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
All done in 15 days.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Submission Date:
2023-04-01
Date Received:
2023-04-18
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Can’t fault the passport office turnaround time, even during the strike. Superfast delivery of new passport by TNT. It’s a shame Royal Mail slowed the time down by several days with their rubbish service.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-04-02
Date Received:
2023-04-18
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Considering there is a passport office strike and also the Easter weekend, I was delighted to get my new passport back in 16 days. I feared it would be much longer. Received regular SMS updates to confirm when my old one was received, when the new one was printed, and when it was out with a courier. Really first class service.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Submission Date:
2023-03-26
Date Received:
2023-04-18
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
The Hemel Hempstead passport office was extremely quick to sort out my application (see dates below) and I was very impressed. However, I have to give the experience 1 star as they were let down by their courier TNT. From what I’ve read online it seems the majority of people who live in houses with one letterbox have no issues but for those in apartment buildings it’s a different story. After one failed delivery attempt by TNT (where they got to our door but couldn’t be bothered to ring the doorbell) the passport didn’t go out for delivery again until almost a week later after many calls and pleas with TNT customer services and this resulted in another failed delivery attempt (they couldn’t even find the door this time). This wouldn’t have been so stressful if we didn’t need the passport for a notice of marriage appointment at the end of this week (I am well aware it is our own fault for leaving it to the last minute). I have only been able to pick it up today from a depot in Enfield after multiple calls with both the passport office and TNT customer service. We are very very relieved to have it now but I would not recommend the experience. I don’t know how TNT has a contract with HMPO as it seems to be very badly rated online. Overall, the delivery only took two weeks but was extremely stressful and a huge headache. I wish everyone applying for passports in the midst of the strikes the best of luck and hope your passports come quickly and with no hiccups!
Dates:
Application submitted: 26th of March 2023
Application received: 26th of March 2023
Documents received: 29th of March 2023
Application approved: 1st of April 2023
Passport printed: 4th of April 2023
First delivery attempt: 4th of April 2023
Second delivery attempt: 14th of April 2023
Passport picked up from depot: 18th of April 2023
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-04-04
Date Received:
2023-04-17
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very good service,
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Submission Date:
2023-04-05
Date Received:
2023-04-18
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Amazingly quick considering the press about 10 weeks!!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Submission Date:
2023-04-02
Date Received:
2023-04-18
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
It took just over 2 weeks. Very happy with that after website said to expect up 10 weeks to process. I’m travelling in 5 weeks.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-02-04
Date Received:
2023-04-18
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Passport printed 7:32pm on 14 April 2023
Application approved 12:48pm on 14 April 2023
Documents received 1:20pm on 9 February 2023
Application received 4:11pm on 4 February 2023
Application submitted 4:11pm on 4 February 2023
Was slower with change of name details and HMPO said that the “allow up to 10 weeks” isn’t guaranteed! highly suggest applying for a new passport 3-4 months before travelling if you’ve changed your name on your passport.
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1 Week Fast Track Application
Type of Application:
1 Week Fast Track Service
Passport Office:
Peterborough
Submission Date:
2023-04-15
Date Received:
2023-04-18
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Used UK Fast Track & Premium Passport Appointments to monitor and book appointment online
Arranged appointment on 11/04 for 21/04 at Peterborough
Rescheduled appointment for 15/04
Received passport 18/04
Type of Application:
1 Week Fast Track Service
Passport Office:
Peterborough
Submission Date:
2023-04-14
Date Received:
2023-04-18
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Lightning fast once you get an appointment. Was replacing my passport which suffered minor water damage. Application submitted in the morning of April 14, passport issue date is the same day. Delivered to my home address on April 18
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We have a very small favour to ask………….
We really hope this information is helpful to you and reduces stress whilst you are waiting for you passport. If you are able to make a small donation for the cost of a coffee it really helps us to maintain the site and continue to make improvements for future passport applicants.
Applied from overseas 14th march, old passport received at Hemel Hempstead 21st march. Nothing since. That’s more than 4 weeks of nothing. And others here reporting job done in 1-2 weeks!
I’ve called the advice line and they just quote the 10 weeks (even though most are done in 1-2 weeks) and tell you they can’t do anything. Did I just get unlucky? Is there anything I can do?