Feedback, experiences, timelines, tips and useful information from people that have recently been through the UK passport application process.
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1st Adult Passport
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport With Interview
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Submission Date:
2023-02-06
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
I asked for an alternative English spelling of my name due to a non-English letter in my name. This added quite a few weeks as I had to send evidence of daily use.
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-03-13
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Passport printed 7:45pm on 24 March 2023
Application approved 1:51pm on 24 March 2023
Identity details received 6:11pm on 13 March 2023
Email sent to person confirming your identity 6:07pm on 13 March 2023
Person not eligible 6:02pm on 13 March 2023
Email sent to person confirming your identity 5:59pm on 13 March 2023
Ask someone to confirm your identity 1:23am on 13 March 2023
Application submitted 1:23am on 13 March 2023
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Submission Date:
2023-03-16
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-03-17
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Application history
StatusDate
Passport printed 11:41pm on 26 March 2023
Application approved 2:03pm on 25 March 2023
Documents received 9:50pm on 21 March 2023
Application received 1:19pm on 17 March 2023
Identity details received 1:18pm on 17 March 2023
Email sent to person confirming your identity 12:37pm on 17 March 2023
Ask someone to confirm your identity 12:28pm on 17 March 2023
Application submitted 12:28pm on 17 March 2023
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2023-03-17
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Helpful at Post Office with digital application.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Submission Date:
2023-03-18
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Passport printed 8:58pm on 25 March 2023
Application approved 3:32pm on 24 March 2023
Documents received 11:36am on 21 March 2023
Application received 8:38am on 18 March 2023
Application submitted 8:38am on 18 March 2023
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Submission Date:
2023-03-23
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very very quick! Old passport arrived with them on Friday, new one was dispatched by Monday…three day turnaround.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
London
Submission Date:
2023-03-15
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
So easy, they kept me updated every step of the way, even to let me know the passport was with the courier. They then contacted me with a delivery slot.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-03-18
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-03-20
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-03-13
Date Received:
2023-03-23
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Submission Date:
2023-03-22
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Having heard about the strikes, I did consider using the fast track service but was unable to find any available appointments. In the end I decided to risk the the standard online renewal. Applied on Wednesday, posted my passport to them on Thursday. Had a new passport the next Tuesday. Wasn’t expecting it to be that quick.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Submission Date:
2023-03-13
Date Received:
2023-03-24
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Excellent, so straightforward.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-03-17
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very pleased with the service.Easy to apply and a new passport within 2 weeks
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-03-17
Date Received:
2023-03-27
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Application history
Passport Received: 09.50am on 28th March 2022
Passport printed: 10:06pm on 25 March 2023
Application approved: 3:47pm on 24 March 2023
Documents received: 11:41am on 21 March 2023
Application received: 11:54am on 17 March 2023
Application submitted: 11:54am on 17 March 2023
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Submission Date:
2023-03-12
Date Received:
2023-03-27
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Passport application submitted 12/03
Passport Posted Royal Mail 1st Class Signed for 13/03
Old Passport Delivered 16/03
Passport Received 17/03
Passport Approved 23/03
Passport Printed 24/03
Passport Received 27/03
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-03-14
Date Received:
2023-03-27
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-03-14
Date Received:
2023-03-27
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Submission Date:
2023-03-18
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Ensure you send your old passport by noon the day you submit your online application. Send by next day special delivery which is £6 or thereabouts. My passport was approved in 4 working days. I received my passport 10 calendar days from submission. Take your picture on you pgibe camera in daylight at home to avoid shadows. Excellent service.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Submission Date:
2023-03-17
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-03-19
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very easy, applied on line. Super quick delivery.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Submission Date:
2023-03-23
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2023-03-17
Date Received:
2023-03-20
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Submission Date:
2023-03-16
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
New passport delivered 1:20pm on 26 March 2023
Passport printed 02:01am on 26 March 2023
Application approved 4:33pm on 24 March 2023
Documents received 12:11pm on 21 March 2023
Application received 2:30pm on 16 March 2023
Application submitted 2:20pm on 16 March 2023
Very Fast Service Was So Worried About Strikes as Had Booked Holiday
Only let down was Royal Mail did not deliver on time to Passport Office
Also this Website is AMAZING and has given me accurate timings and put my mind at ease
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-03-17
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Updated quickly online, less than 2 weeks from sending to receiving!
Passport printed 9:57pm on 24 March 2023
Application approved 2:13pm on 24 March 2023
Documents received 10:36am on 21 March 2023
Application received 1:20pm on 17 March 2023
Application submitted 1:20pm on 17 March
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-03-17
Date Received:
2023-03-27
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very easy to do online . Excellent updates provided . No hassle .
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Submission Date:
2023-03-23
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
I submitted online and posted my old passport (recorded delivery) on the same day. I got regular updates by text. Really happy as I was initially quite anxious that it could take 10 weeks but it only took 5 days!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Submission Date:
2023-03-13
Date Received:
2023-03-15
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2023-03-17
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Online fast easy application process and receiving passport.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-03-19
Date Received:
2023-03-23
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
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1st Child Passport
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2023-03-07
Date Received:
2023-03-17
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Fairly simple, considering I am was applying under EU treaty rights. Needed to send an extra document but even with that only took 10 days. Advice would be make sure you have ALL the documents to prevent delay. Send documents with special delivery to avoid worry of it getting lost.
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-03-17
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Tnt delivery text sent on morning of delivery and arrived very shortly that day
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-03-17
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Passport printed 11:19pm on 26 March 2023
Application approved 10:56am on 25 March 2023
New photo received 10:55am on 25 March 2023
Photo rejected 10:36am on 25 March 2023 (background not neutral enough)
Documents received 3:46pm on 21 March 2023
Documents posted 9:15am on 20th March 2023 (Special Delivery next day)
Application received 9:57pm on 17 March 2023
Identity details received 9:57pm on 17 March 2023
Email sent to person confirming your identity 12:27pm on 17 March 2023
Ask someone to confirm your identity 12:24pm on 17 March 2023
Application submitted 12:24pm on 17 March 2023
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-02-01
Date Received:
2023-02-17
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Online application. I sent docs either the same day or day after submitting.
Docs received 06/02/2023
Approved 11/02/2023
Printed 14/02/2023
Took a couple of weeks for them to return the birth certificate.
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2023-02-01
Date Received:
2023-02-15
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Online application. I sent docs either the same day or day after submitting.
Docs received 07/02/2023
Approved 13/02/2023
Printed 14/02/2023
Extremely disappointed that the courier left the passport on the front porch and they happily took a picture of it there to confirm delivery!
Took a couple of weeks for them to return the birth certificate.
Child Renewal
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-03-15
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-03-17
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Can’t praise the service enough. Was convinced we wouldn’t be going away next week but passport arrived today – 11 days from start to finish.
Application history
Passport printed 2:48am on 25 March 2023
Application approved 10:28am on 24 March 2023
Identity details received 7:47pm on 23 March 2023
Email sent to person confirming your identity 7:34pm on 23 March 2023
Ask someone to confirm your identity 3:47pm on 23 March 2023
Documents received 1:00pm on 20 March 2023
Application received 2:09pm on 17 March 2023
Application submitted 2:09pm on 17 March 2023
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-03-18
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
We had the photo done at snappy snaps – in that way you are given a reference code that you enter when you are completing your application online – this means that there will not be an issue with the photo.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-03-20
Date Received:
2023-03-27
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Incredibly fast service. I posted the passport on Saturday 18th March, it was logged as arriving at the passport office on Monday 20th. I then received notification that it had been approved on Friday 24th, and was being printed. The passport arrived on the morning of Tuesday 28th. So 5 days for processing! Given that there was a surge in demand following the announcement of the strike on Friday 17th, this is amazing!
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Submission Date:
2023-03-17
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
1 Week Fast Track Application
Type of Application:
1 Week Fast Track Service
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
2023-03-25
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Appointment on the Saturday and delivered on the Tuesday. Very smooth service at the office, in and out in 10 minutes. First time I’d ever recommend a government service.
Overseas Passport Application
Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2023-03-01
Date Received:
2023-03-28
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Advise taking photo at home following the instructions to save money and be aware that if applying for overseas renewal you will need to also pay for express courier back to the UK which can be very expensive ($106NZD from New Zealand)
Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Submission Date:
2023-03-02
Date Received:
2023-03-22
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Timeline:
UK Passport arrived in Seattle by courier on 22 March 2023
Passport printed: 16 March 2023
Application approved: 16 March 2023
Request Additional documentation: 12 March 2023**
Documents received at Passport Office: 7 March 2023
Application received: 2 March 2023
Application submitted online: 2 March 2023
**This timeline includes a delay in processing because HM Passport Office needed a full colour copy of my US passport. (I omitted it initially assuming my expired British passport offered sufficient evidence of who I am and the legal name I use) but if you tick the box that you have another country’s passport during the online application, SEND whatever they ask for.
Type of Application:
First UK Passport (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Submission Date:
2023-02-28
Date Received:
2023-03-27
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Excellent experience, first adult passport, applied from Australia – no interview, easy process and appreciated all the updates as the application went along
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