Applications whilst locked down

So there is hope! :)

Also called complaints as suggested but they said I need to wait a month before escalation or 16days before my flight - which both falls at pretty much the same time!

Tell them you need to add api information to you flights 7 days before your flights then they will escalate it quicker

Thanks I’ll do that - also once the passports are approved do you get a text message or will you only find out by checking the timeline?

You get a text. And when it's been despatched. Good luck.

Thanks :)

Finally!!!!!! I just have to hope it’s here for Wednesday as we travel Thursday morning!!! No idea how to track it??? I had to email in on Friday with proof of holiday being booked before Covid to get it expedited. But I did ring every day for a week and a half trying to get it escalated. Traumatic! I hope that the back logs are being cleared now and you all get your passports in time for your holidays x Passport printed and sent 12:20pm on 18 July 2020 Application approved 11:36am on 18 July 2020 Application being processed 1:30pm on 7 July 2020 Documents received 11:52am on 7 July 2020 Use paper form to confirm identity 4:22pm on 24 June 2020 Email sent to person confirming your identity 4:21pm on 24 June 2020 Ask someone to confirm your identity 4:19pm on 24 June 2020 Application submitted 4:19pm on 24 June 2020

Sent Friday you will get it Tuesday for sure

Received two adult renewals and first child passport through the letterbox yesterday 17th July. All 3 blue and from Durham office. Full timeline (I sent documents for all 3 together as a family application meaning all 3 progressed at the same stage together) Passport received 17th July Passport printed and sent 3:15pm on 15 July 2020 Application approved 10:01am on 14 July 2020 Application being processed 7:44am on 25 June 2020 Documents received 12:35pm on 23 June 2020 Application received 7:05pm on 12 June 2020 Application submitted 7:05pm on 12 June 2020

Hi newgirl Can I just ask why did you have to proof you booked before covid I booked holiday on 5th and submitted application on 4th july but I'm really worried that it may not come before I fly on the 26th Aug can any body please help

Hello there I wonder if there is anyone who can help. I applied for first adult passport on Jun 13th, and have been stuck on processing since Jun 22nd. I sent a dm to HM passport on 14th Jul and still awaiting a response. I want to go away to Germany in September (if it arrives sooner I'll go away sooner), and as it gets closer I grow more and more anxious that my passport wont arrive in time. I know there should be an interview also. I haven't booked any flights, and during this corona stuff it just sends my anxiety through the roof. Wait times seem to be going down, but still as yet my passport status hasn't changed. My documents were sent to Newport if that helps. Is there anything I can do to get things moving? What can I expect to happen during this process?.. I feel so powerless and as time moves on, I'm finding it harder to deal with it.

You have to have a interview for a first time passport without that you cannot get a passport

Ricky they will not escalate it if you have not booked it before Covid in March as they say you shouldn’t book before you have a passport if you booked before Covid they look at it as an emergency as means you booked it’s 4-5 months which is well long enough for a passport to be sorted out

What's your thought on been here in time it's been it say Application being processed since the 7th of July

Ricky me personally think you will be fine for the 26th August to be honest

I really hope so and think you

I understand that I do have to have an interview, but are they holding them during this time? I am really starting to lose hope, people are able to travel, and I cant even get a passport. I have money to buy my ticket. Its so disheartening and making me sick with worry.

No there not mate I have heard they are starting interviews through Skype soon though

Skype interviews? Really Oh god I hope so... Please let that be true I am happy to do interviews anywhere.. at this point I would of traveled to the other side of the country to get an interview. I would do anything to get an interview right now. Thank you James for your responses <3

Hi, If you don’t mind me asking, why do they ask when you booked? How does it matter? And what counts as proof of travel? A booking reference? We booked our flights in January, flying in 12 days now (30th). Website kept saying that we shouldn’t apply unless we had travel booked in the next 3 weeks and now it seems applying 5 weeks before the flight was too late. Applied for my daughters first passport on the 20th of June and its all moving too slow, we will probably have to cancel the flights. Application being processed 10 July 2020 Documents received 4 July 2020 Application received 22 June 2020 Identity details received 22 June 2020 Email sent to person confirming your identity 22 June 2020 Ask someone to confirm identity 20 June 2020 Application submitted 20 June 2020

Hi all, after reading your threads I feel a bit better that my passport may be here in time for my flight on septemeber (19th) I did my online application monday just gone 14th July, it sayin processing now, just wondering as I had a passport but it had expired and it was lost will this affect it? I spoke to HMPO they have cancelled my old one and for renewal I had to get a counter signature which I think is ok as it's now sayin my passport is being processed.. I think all should be ok what do you guys think? Application being processed1:55pm on 16 July 2020I dentity details received10:00pm on 14 July 2020 Email sent to person confirming your identity5:22pm on 14 July 2020 Email sent to person confirming your identity5:22pm on 14 July 2020 Ask someone to confirm your identity5:19pm on 14 July 2020 Application submitted5:19pm on 14 July 2020

I think you will be fine. If no progress after 4 weeks you can escalate so you will still have plenty of time till your travel date.

Hi all, I don't have my passport yet, but am finally out of processing, so I thought I'd give an update as well. This is for an adult online renewal of a still valid passport. I am resident in Germany. Initial call regarding applying during lockdown:14 April 2020 (told to wait a little before sending off application) Application sent online: 25 May 2020 Documents received: 02 June 2020 In processing; 03 June 2020 Application approved: 19 July 2020 So, that's 7 weeks in processing. I'm hoping to get my passport in the next two weeks. Does anyone have an idea how realistic this hope is? I'll update again when I've received my new passport. Robingermany

If it’s been approved you will get it in the next 3-4 days

Thank you so much for the reply,its a stressful time for all! I hope it comes back someone I know did theirs 2 weeks before me and had theirs back so hopefully!