Durham

I got an email back from mine asking for information of what office and my application dates etc.. he emailed me back the next day saying he was following up on it with the head of that office since I’m overseas with no valid proof of a visa. If you give them a subject of urgency they look into it for you.

First time overseas passport by decent from New Zealand Passport printed 2:57pm on 10 March 2022 Application approved 4:57pm on 9 March 2022 Documents received 2:23pm on 4 March 2022 Application received 10:53am on 15 February 2022 Identity details received 10:52am on 15 February 2022 Email sent to person confirming your identity 10:18am on 15 February 2022 Ask someone to confirm your identity 3:22am on 15 February 2022 Application submitted 3:22am on 15 February 2022 Documents were delivered to passport office on 21st of February. Passport arrived in NZ on 21st of March.

Finally got my passport to New Zealand! Took 5 weeks as advertised. This is my timeline (received a text with tracking number after numerous phone calls and urgencies) Passport received 21st March via DHL Passport tracking number received 17th March Passport printed 9:50pm on 9 March 2022 Application approved 1:17pm on 8 March 2022 Documents received 7:15pm on 2 March 2022 Application received 12:00am on 15 February 2022 Application submitted 11:59pm on 14 February 2022

I sent two adult passport renewal, one went to Liverpool and the other went to Durham. Here's my timeline For Liverpool: Application Submitted: 24 Feb 2022 Application Received: 24 Feb 2022 Documents Received: 5 Mar 2022 Application Approved: 5 Mar 2022 Passport Printed And Sent 7 Mar 2022 So It took only 11 days For Durham: Application Submitted: 24 Feb 2022 Application Received: 24 Feb 2022 Documents Received: 11 Mar 2022 Application Approved: 15 Mar 2022 Passport Printed And Sent 17 Mar 2022 It took 21 days Apparently the reason why Durham took so long was because all international passports are also processed in Durham and it's also their main office. This is according to the phone operator when I called them.

Hi there Would be grateful for any you can give us. We are going on holiday next week(30th march) and here are the timeless for application (child renewal) 25/02/22 post via post office check n send 03/03/22 application received 07/03/22 waiting for examiner We are really freaking out as its so close (now 21/03) as of writing and told its with the durham office. I would to know what our options are and any advice? My daughters original passport was actually fine to use for this holiday by a couple of days but we didn’t want to risk and now feels stupid. Im not sure if asking for the return of the passport would get actioned and sent back to us in time now? Thanks Gary

Ps has anyone got a contact number and/or email address for Durham?

I don’t think you could get it back because it takes 3/4weeks for return. You have to send in writing you want it returned. I’d hate to say it seems unlikely you will get it back in time. Could you change your holiday dates? I’m so so sorry you are going through this.

Happy you got yours Viksnid! That’s a relief. Mine moved into printed overnight on the 21/3 after being approved 14/3. Might turn up in time that I won’t need the ETD after all.

Overseas adult passport renewal. I am in Hong Kong. Here's my timeline: Just received a SMS from HMPO saying that "Your new passport is being sent to the address you gave us". No such update on the tracking link though. Passport printed 5:44am on 22 March 2022 Application approved 3:20am on 17 March 2022 Documents received 8:08am on 14 March 2022 (Documents received and signed on 4 Mar according to DHL) Application received 4:28am on 2 March 2022 Application submitted 4:27am on 2 March 2022 Heard from my agent that DHL will send me my tracking number after the documents arrive in Hong Kong, which will usually take 5-7 days from the day which HMPO sent the documents. Hope to receive the passport by next week! :)

Due to travel 3 weeks today and application was approved last night. Such a relief it went straight to approval rather than the processing stage that seems to leave people without answers for weeks on end. So not fair the stress it puts on you. I’m due to fly out for my sisters wedding 3 weeks today so hoping it can move to print and sent within this time frame. Fingers crossed! Here’s my timeline so far; Application approved 10:53pm on 21 March 2022 Documents received 4:49pm on 16 March 2022 Application received 7:37pm on 7 March 2022 Application submitted 7:36pm on 7 March 2022

Mine was delivered today and here’s the history in case it helps anyone else Passport delivered 23 March 2022 (TNT tracking visible 22 March 2022) Passport printed 5:55pm on 16 March 2022 Application approved 1:11am on 15 March 2022 Documents received 8:26am on 11 March 2022 Documents signed for at Durham 01 March 2022 (Royal Mail) Application received 10:40am on 26 February 2022 Application submitted 10:39am on 26 February 2022 Good luck and happy travels!

I'm feeling super stressed! I feel like most people's on here isn't taking very long and soo many people have applied after me and already got theirs! I hope there's nothing wrong with mine. Whenever I call I just get the standard you need to wait 10 weeks. I've emailed via the form online but no answer as of yet. Has anyone else been waiting this long? I really hope I get an update soon! :( Mines an adult renewal Here is mine: Application being processed 12:30pm on 24 February 2022 Documents received 7:36pm on 23 February 2022 Application received 10:11am on 14 February 2022 Application submitted 10:10am on 14 February 2022

Documents delivered on March 7th by DHL, no acknowledgement, so now over 14 days. Impossible to contact them. I would do it in person if I ever did it again.

Retep - have you heard anything yet? You replied to me on the Liverpool thread as the only person waiting longer for them to log documents. I've still heard nothing from the 8th.

I'm so frustrated. I posted previously here my timeline(standard adult renewal): Application submitted online: 20th February Old passport sent off: 21st February Passport signed for: 22nd February Documents showing as received: 7th March After my documents were received, I was asked to write a letter explaining water damage on my passport (10th March). I sent the letter off the same day and it was signed for by the Durham office on 11/03. And I've had absolutely nothing since, just reminders from them to send the required documents. I've rang the helpline so many times and been told a different thing each time - firstly I rang to check if this would delay my application, the advisor said no. I rang back after a week to see if I could find out if my letter had been added to my application and was told it took 8 working days for them to acknowledge documents. I rang back after 8 working days and got told it would be 10 working days. I called back again this morning and was told it's now 11 working days to acknowledge the letter, so it seems as though the customer service 'help' line just move the goal posts every time you call. I pushed and pushed to speak to someone different or the actual office dealing with my application but was told nothing can be done, all they can do is raise a complaint. When I asked if a complaint would speed up my application they said no, also she said that applications waiting for additional information are put on hold so the very first adviser I spoke to gave incorrect information. So I'm at a loss as to what the helpline is actually there for - I know a few people on this thread have called up and it's seemed to progress there application, if so what did you say or do to actually get them to take action? I think someone said they also contacted their local MP - did this work in moving the application forward? I'm due to travel on the 26th April, so there is still time, but it seems as though my application has ground to a halt whereas I can see from this forum people who have sent their application after me already have their passports.

Thanks for everyones help on here, new passport was delivered on Saturday which means we can fly out on Wednesday. We had pretty much given up hope. Overall its been a nightmare and so stressful. Here are our timelines for child renewal if helpful: 25th Feb - submitted via post office check n send 3rd March - application received 7th March - waiting for examination 24th March - application approved/gone to print 26th March - passport received Calling the helpline can get really different results, so keep trying. I would also suggest that if anyone gets a TNT tracking confirmation you can actually organise with them to collect it from their depot. Good luck and thanks

Gary42 - how do you collect direct from TNT? Which depot do you need to get from and how do you know?

Hi all! Kind of wishing I didn't discover this website and its fourm! Haha! Here's my timeline for a replacement of a damaged passport after our dog decided to use it as a chew toy! Application submitted: 17 Feb 2022 Passport recieved at Peterborough (via Royal mail tracked): 18 Feb 2022 Documents Received: 28 Feb 2022 Documents sent to Durham: 3 March 2022 Application being processed/waiting for examiner: 11 March 2022 Our honeymoon is booked for the 16 May, so hoping we've got plenty of time. Just starting to worry, as i've never gone through the dreaded 'application being processed' wait. We got told the 10 week time scale start from when they recieved at Durham on the 3rd, adding essentially 2 weeks onto the wait. Would love to hear any sucess stories after going into the 'processing' stage!

Find out from the passport office, which branch is dealing with your application (this is the Durham forum so id assume its that) TNT will use the your application number as the tracking number, so try their website. It should ask for a number and your post code. Then call TNT 0345 608 0640 and ask if you can collect it.

Where is the TNT collection location for passports issued by Durham please?

Does anyone roughly know how long it’s taking a Durham. We applied online 30/1 , sent documents, and went into processing 21/2. We got a letter on the 16/3 to day they needed more documents. I sent them and they were signed for last Monday. Is it quick once they upload them once you’ve sent extra documents. We fly in 4 and half weeks and now debating wether we should do fast track. Thank you

Hi PKenny12, It's taking about two weeks for info sent in the post to be 'linked' to applications. I suspect your application is actually with an examiner as apposed to mine which is "waiting for an examiner". Therefore I think you won't have to wait long for yours to be approved after then. Although I am no authority on this! Please do keep us posted on how you get on. I am also considering the fast track route, but we've been told conflicting methods to do so.

Thank you worriedgroom22, I’m hoping that, that’s the case. I think I might hold out 2 more weeks and then see if we’ve not had it approved I’ll have to fast track it. I hope your not waiting to much longer. But I will defo give an update when we get one. X

Hi all, I recieved my call back today from the processing team and she said there's such a backlog especially at the Durham office! Great :( she said mine is actually with an examiner rather than waiting to be processed but I don't know how true this is or whether she was just trying to get me off the phone I have no idea. I wonder why they ask for extra supporting documents for renewals if you've already had a passport? Before this forum I had no idea they'd ask for extra documents. I haven't been asked to send anything ( touch wood!! ) really hoping it gets approved soon. Good luck everyone

Hi hs99, Not good news about the backlog, but i'm not suprised! Great news about being allocated an examiner! Hopefully it's not too long now. How did you get someone from the processing team to call you?