10 weeks wait time exceeded. What next?

@Karrie a few people on this forum have queued at the passport office. I would do this in your position. Really hope you get it 👍

@Karrie a few people on this forum have queued at the passport office. I would do this in your position. Really hope you get it 👍

Hi, can I join the party? My ex wife submitted my daughter's renewal (child passport) on 11/05/2022, with flights booked at that time to fly on 30/07/2022. Not sure if the 10 week minimum was in place at that time, but if it was it was cutting it close. She's tried to get it escalated, because she's flying home to Czech and her mum is quite ill, was in hospital in April this year. This is the application history from the passport website: Documents received 3:42pm on 17 May 2022 Application received 12:46pm on 11 May 2022 Identity details received 12:45pm on 11 May 2022 Email sent to person confirming your identity 11:58am on 11 May 2022 Ask someone to confirm your identity 11:54am on 11 May 2022 Application submitted 11:54am on 11 May 2022 She's got a doctor's letter from Czech advising her to get the grandchild there, paid for it to be translated, sent all that off, spoken almost daily to the 1st line call people, who just seem to pass messages on. Had one call back from the escalation team to say they'll call within 48 hours, but then never do and she's on the edge of a nervous breakdown. I'm due to fly to Rhodes with my daughter on 16/08/2022, now starting to worry my only holiday of the year is going to be cancelled. If anyone can advise of what more we can do, I'll take the time off to trek to Liverpool or Newport if I have to. Thanks, Aidan

Hi Aidan We're in a similar situation. Applied to renew my daughter's passport on 8/5/22 and HMPO confirmed supporting documentation received 16/5/22. Just gone over the 10 week deadline so applied for application to be expedited 2 days ago. No info about when it'll be dealt with and we're due to be travelling in just over 3 weeks. Spoke to advice line and was told I'd have a text and email within 48 hours of my request to expedite but have heard nothing. I rang again and was told just to sit and wait it out with no guarantee that it'll be sorted in time. Applied from London and application apparently with Belfast.

Hi all. Lost my passport back in April, cancelled it and applied online on 27th April for a replacement. Last communication was to say checking details on 29th April. Since then I have phoned,e-mailed,wrote letters to various HMPOs,got my MP involved and contacted Home Office Minister all to no avail. After nearly 13 weeks waiting and due to travel in 2 weeks I tried to expedite but all I got back was automated response. Finally last night I e-mailed upgrade team at Durham, once again automated response but I received a phone call this morning to say they were processing my application and another e-mail 3 hours later to say it had been printed and was awaiting dispatch. I will still hold my breath until I have my passport in my hands because of all the lies I have been told for the last 3 months but I am really hopeful that the end of the tunnel is near.

You may have seen the report from 22/7 when the director of passports, Thomas Grieg, appeared before the Home Affairs Select Committee to explain the delays etc. He estimated that there were 400,000 applications in the system at that time with 10% delayed over 10 weeks, ie 40,000. He also said they were processing about 60,000 applications a week. So if they wanted to, the outstanding cases could be cleared in less than a week. But that's not happened because he's clearly more interested in processing newer applications within the deadline so their targets are not further damaged. He said, very disingenuously, "...our whole focus at the moment is on trying to resolve these applications so people can access their passport if they need it urgently". Like hell that's there focus.

Hey hope everyone is well. I applied for my kids first passport of the 29/6/22. I rang up and spoke to one of the colleagues they told me that the passports will be getting processed at Durham to send the relevant documents (birth certificates) to Durham which I did, later on i received a text and email saying to send the docs to glasgow but by then it was to late as that morning I posted it to Durham so this caused me to panic abit as I thought it would cause a delay in my application. So every day god knows how many times a day I kept ringing to make them aware of what happened. I also sent a covering letter the next day to Durham of what happened. Anyways 2 and a half weeks have gone by I contact my MP and tell her the situation she said she would contact the passport office, on Tuesday o got a call from the passport office- she said that we got a call from your MP I regards to the docs going to the wrong office, she said she will be contacting Durham to locate the docs. After an hour I got a email and txt to say that we’ve received your documents. So that was that. Yday I got a call to say the same thing we heard the docs have gone to wrong office but they can’t actually locate them we’re they are, few hours later they manage to find it. I got a call this morning saying passports are being printed got an email and txt to say it’s been approved and being printed. Will be dispatched soon. Best thing to do is ring them everyday and contact the MP even tho I was only 3 weeks in I didn’t wanna wait to put myself in thr position of waiting 6-10 weeks!

Just an update for my part, the passport arrived early this morning, just as well because we need to leave at 4am tomorrow for the airport run, talk about cutting it fine!!!! I guess the moral of the story is to get the application months in advance and to keep hounding them for a response, appalling service though. I read a recent interview with Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary, can't stand the man usually, but he did have a valid point, they knew this was coming well in advance, airports, airlines and the passport service, but they still weren't ready. I blame brexit and covid (lights touch paper and stands well back..) Good luck to everyone with their applications and thanks for the support on this forum. Aidan

Fantastic Aidan! And what a relief! But 24 hours before travel is far too tight. I've just come off my daily phone call. Today's magic advice is to re-send your emails with "2nd request" in the subject line. Apparently that'll do the trick. So lovely when you're taken for a fool.

I sent my 3rd request email this morning so don't hold your breathe!

Update. Passport arrived today via TNT.Yippee! I really believe that e-mailing the upgrade team at Durham finally got the ball rolling. 13 weeks stuck on someones desk,countless phone calls,e-mails,letters and contact with MPs, then after e-mailing the upgrade team I had my passport approved, printed and delivered in 2 days.... Unbelievable! I really hope that everyone on here manages to get their passport in time for their holidays.

I have just submitted a step 2 complaint. Found out this morning that because the birth cert wasn’t received until 25th July they have re-set the clock to a 10 week processing time from 25th July. The situation is appalling. The application for a renewal was submitted online on 25th May. Old passport sent within a few days and identity verified on 12th June. Then complete silence until 22nd July when for some reason they asked for my daughter’s birth certificate. I have sent 14 emails to various departments today and my MP, who I must say responded immediately. I’m not giving up until It arrives. It is disgraceful when others are getting them back within days. They basically did nothing for 8 weeks and it’s week 10 next week but I’m being told I can do nothing now for a further 10 weeks. I have emailed the upgrade team at Liverpool in the hope that someone might take pity on me….

So after getting some good tips and both reassurance and a little panic at times from here, thought I'd share my case - standard adult renewal: Application submitted 1st May 2022. Old passport recieved 16th May. (In Belfast) Initially application being processed 18th May, however this later rolled back to the recieved stage. Had a holiday booked for 5th August since May 2021. After reading here and other sites, at 10 weeks from application submitted, tried my luck with an email to expeditedservice@hmpo.gov.uk - got an automated response straight back, but nothing more. 10 weeks exactly from old 16th May, rang 03002220000 and option 8 then 3. Was answered very quickly and advised to email expedited and include travel confirmation. Didn't say I'd previously done this, but email sent again. Told someone would be in contact within 48hrs of sending email. Asked what if no one contacts me - told to ring back and request and upgrade. Nothing recieved, so on 48hrs rang back and explained situation and was requesting an upgrade. Was forwarded to two further call handlers, one of which was after a 45min wait on hold. They said they'd put notes on my application and told me to email escalatedservice@hmpo.gov.uk with my name and reference in the subject and travel confirmation attached. Again said someone would contact me within 48hrs. Didn't ask what if this time - plan was to ring again on 48hrs and probably go to local passport office 48hrs before travel anyway. Recieved the same automated reply as before so didn't hold out much hope. Was feeling even less confident as 48hrs approached, only to get a call from the Belfast office within minutes of that deadline! Said they had just approved my application and were sending it for printing in Glasgow so that it could be posted with next day by 1p.m. delivery! Told me to ignore the updates I'd get saying I'd recieved my new passport within 2 weeks. Minutes later got text from tracking to confirm the approval and about an hour later another to confirm the printing. Not counting any chickens, was beginning to lose hope again by almost mid-day today as I'd not recieved any postal tracking information, when right on cue as I was about to ring back, the passport was posted through my letter box! The whole saga has added so much more unnecessary stress - the thought of losing £5k on a holiday that's been rebooked twice since early 2020 was really getting to me - particulary with the stories of many others getting theirs back in days or a couple of weeks! Good luck to those of you still in the system - you have my greatest sympathy and I hope you all have good news soon!

its been 14 weeks Ive never been so distressed and heartbroken in my whole life and this whole situation has really tested my patience. I am a uk expat in Abu dhabi and my first born waited 8 months because it was messed up during the process and then archived . I ended up with huge fine + 1000 pounds ! if I couldnt have paid I wouldve ended up in prison. now this is my 3rd child's 1st passport and during the wait my father became ill in ICU, I begged them to hurry things up but nothing. He eventually passed away and I didnt make it. I asked my mother to take my two boys 2 and 4 years old with her to the UK so they can enjoy the better weather and hopefully I would join them soon ?! its already been a month without them and I miss them so much Ive waisted me whole (very short) maternity leave waiting for this passport. I just want to go home to my family

@sabrinaleilaa Did you use any of the expedited eMail addresses? There are number of folk on this forum who are UK expats around the world who have used these avenues and had thier application accelerated after 10 weeks. The UK Government are obligated to keep you legally compliant in you country of residence in these circumstances. Obviously with out the full details it is hard to comment, was there however a mistake in your application for example? But, on the face it from what you have written, you may have a good case to take the Ombudsman

Totally stressful experience. Applied 10 weeks today by post office check and send- 1st child paper app. My experience- the advice line were shocking and couldn’t do anything to help until the 2 week until travel mark. They then helped to ask for an upgrade. However never received anything and was starting to worry. On Friday I requested for the case to be escalated. I travel on weds morning. Advice line helped by putting the request through for me but were quick to tell me it was only a request and not a guarantee (totally unhelpful). Anyway I was prepared to travel to Liverpool this morning and queue outside. However much to my relief I received a call from a no caller ID number yesterday afternoon to say my case was being processed and as requested I could go and collect from Liverpool office today. I now have my passport in hand. If it helps anyone I saw a couple of people who had been queueing without an appt who were due to fly in the next 48 hours who managed to get their passports today. I saw them turning others away who weren’t due to travel that soon. I totally feel for anyone who is still waiting but my advice is to persevere and ask for the upgrade at 2 weeks to travel and or escalate if been over 10 weeks since submission. If all else fails try the 48 hours without appt things as you have nothing to lose by doing this. Good luck everyone

Have just received my daughter's renewed passport. Not sure what I did that broke the system. Application submitted 8/5 and PO confirmed passport received 16/5. Then absolutely nothing. 10 week deadline expired 25/7. Sent email 0n 26/7 to Expedited Service@hmpo.gov.uk with proof of travel 3+ weeks later. Heard absolutely nothing (auto reply). Rang useless advice line a couple of times. They seemed happy to mis-inform me just to get rid of me. They didn't seem to have access to any real info about my application. Despite being told on the tracking service that I qualified to apply to have application expedited, the advice line consistently said that application wouldn't be expedited until less than 2 weeks before travel. So I think that maybe true although why the applicants can't be told this I don't know. I wrote to Thomas Grieg, Director of Passports at the PO, by old fashioned post because I think it's too easy for PO to ignore emails. I also emailed my MP who contacted the HO using the standard procedure; Kevin Foster, Home Office minister responsible for PO (auto response so quite sure he did nothing) and Diana Johnson, Chair of Home Affairs Select Committee who interviewed Grieg recently (also auto response). I hand wrote the envelope to Grieg marking it urgent in red and for his personal attention. The PO would have received it yesterday (Southport address as per website). I didn't hold back in my letter (!). I got a call from them yesterday telling me they were dealing with it and there it was on the doormat first thing this morning. So still more than 2 weeks before travel. I really think it was my letter to Grieg that worked for me.

Really please that you finally got your daughter’s renewal! I’m in a similar situation ie child renewal 10 weeks tomorrow since receiving online. I have also been emailing various people and departments for the last couple of weeks. I will try the expedite team again tomorrow. Persistence is the key I think….I’m still keeping everything crossed in the meantime….

Not sure how to take this? Just had a response from the expedited team to an email dated 19.7 saying they are going to one of their examination teams to progress asap. It is 10 weeks tomorrow. Is that good do we think? Any one else had the same email? Should I be optimistic?

Hello, Made a first child passport application online on the 9th April, heard nothing from then till the documents got received on the 4th May. The next contact was on the 23rd July after I requested the expedited service, which then sent the letter asking for the approval and extra payement so it can be swithced from child - adult. This was done quickly, but now got a text saying that a passport interview is needed, with the earliest appointment being on the 27th August. Wondering if I could have any advice, as it is needed for travel within the next two weeks. Cheers

I can’t believe it. Application approved today. Will arrive at 9 tomorrow so the email from the expedite team (see above) was correct! It has taken blood sweat and tears to get this passport. It was the email to the expedite team that did it. For info, no proof of travel provided but annual leave booked for next week. It was 10 weeks on Wednesday since application submitted, not documents received as I was constantly told by the call centre. Thank you to everyone on this forum, your experiences helped me so much! Tips : 1. Don’t bother calling. They can’t help you and can’t access anything but very basic information. As a result they will say anything to get you off the phone, 2. Don’t wait until 10 weeks to chase. I began at 8. Try your MP too. I did and it may have helped. 3. Don’t give up. Keep emailing the expedite/upgrade teams. 4. Try filling in an online complaint form. If I didn’t need a holiday before this experience, I certainly do now. The best of luck to all those still waiting. Application history StatusDate Passport printed 11:54am on 4 August 2022 Application approved 10:14am on 4 August 2022 Identity details received 8:22pm on 12 June 2022 Email sent to person confirming your identity 10:50am on 10 June 2022 Ask someone to confirm your identity 9:49am on 10 June 2022 Documents received 11:06am on 3 June 2022 Application received 8:24am on 25 May 2022 Application submitted 8:23am on 25 May 2022

I received my kids passports on Monday! I didn’t even bother waiting 6/10 weeks to start chasing it up. I started chasing it at 2 weeks. I rang my MP at 3 weeks and she contacted HMPO then after a few days a got a call from HMPO to tell me they received a call in regards to my passport. Then a week later o got the passports! Please guys DO NOT WAIT 6 weeks to start getting in contact with MP. Do it as soon as it in two weeks of applying for your passport and just tell them you need to ASAP! They didn’t ask for proof of travel they asked me when I was traveling which is 31st august but I told them I need it by the 6th of August. So they got them printed within a day and posted the next day! So just keep chasing your MP and the HMPO email them with whatever email address you have for them. Ringing them is pointless because the staff have no clue what to say.

Hello, I'm heading off to the Liverpool office to chase my passport. What's the right address to go to, please? I can find many HMPO offices in Liverpool. Thanks

I collected my passport today from Newport. I had been waiting 15 weeks and my application was stuck at Durham (sounds like many are stuck there). I'm due to travel next Tuesday. My advice is don't bother ringing / texting / web chat - I gave that up weeks ago; the system is broken. They can't tell you anymore than what the online update progress checker can. Email to get your applications expedited / escalated / upgraded within the time frames given, i.e after 10 weeks, withing 2 weeks of travel and email them daily, and don't just email the address you know your passport is. I emailed durham and newport (docs were at durham) Newport were the only one that replied. Ignore the warning to not keep emailing them, I emailed daily and after each email without reply I put 2nd request, 3rd request, 4th request etc. I got MP intervention too, but I'm not sure if this got anywhere to be honest but don't rule it out - it's worth a shot. I managed to get a phone call from Liverpool 8 days prior to travel saying she could approve the passport and if I'd like it posted or collected. Opted for collection this morning at 9am as no way was I going to rely on couriers etc. It was a breeze at the passport office, not much of a queue either when I arrived at 8.15. I felt for the people outside, fingers crossed they all get their wish today. I was prepared to go to the PO 3/2/1 day before, but I got lucky. Persevere guys. I wish everyone of you good luck in getting your passport.

Hello everyone, Just wondering if anyone has any experience of this, already emailed the expedited and upgrade team (Belfast) as travel is booked for tomorrow. As it’s a first adult passport (changed from first child), it needs an interview what’s booked for 3pm today. But received a message from royal mail saying a package from HM Passport (from Northern Ireland) is due for delivery tomorrow as the passport is needed for travel tomorrow. Wondering if this is a good sign, or is it just documents being returned? Cheers