–Prior to 1983, children born outside of the UK of British MOTHERS ONLY did not inherit citizenship automatically- only those with British FATHERS…they changed the British Nationality Act in 1981 so that if you were born before 1983 outside of the UK and your mother was British, you had to “Register” as a citizen with UKVI, and go through EXACTLY the same process as one does applying for a passport LOL…only after completing that process could one apply for their passport. Whole process would take 9 months-ish
–10 Weeks: As of 04/21, HMPO has advised that applicants should allow for up to 10 weeks “to receive their passport” – its right on their homepage.
–16 weeks? probably not, but when you call HMPO, their automated menu politely tells you that if it hasnt been 10 weeks SINCE THEY ACKNOWLEDGED RECEIPT OF YOUR DOCUNMENTS – NOT since the date of Application, NOT since the date that Royal Mail says it was signed for – you should sod off and call back when it has been over 10 weeks.
–I have seen lots of applicants on this board and others who got their Frist Adult passport in 5-6 weeks…I have seen enough others who have been waiting longer than me – 6 weeks since it moved to status “Application in Process” – some since January! My own conclusion is that HMPO is sooo swamped right now, you just show up for work, grab a stack of papers, and work through as much as you can before 5pm, there is no logic or “procedure” right now they are soo busy. Hence, if you HAVE a passport you can travel on in June, I would NOT be sending it to HMPO right now. Just my opinion.
Good Luck!