Durham

I’ve given up all hope at this point at getting away on the 14th

I rang again today as still no approved for my daughter renewal which has been 8 weeks and spoke to a lovely man and he said that he is going to chase Durham up as by the time it’s all done it be over the 10 week mark which is their fault not min.Apparently the hold up is them linking my marriage certificate on my application to my daughters but he said it should of been done by now.He took my new passport number and sent that to them in the email asking can they use this to check I’m her mum instead of using my marriage certificate as I was told not to send it in as they can cross reference it will my application and I’m to call back Thursday for a update if I haven’t heard anything if not they will chase it again and I’ve got to give it to Monday then if not the manager is going to get involved and sort it as I put her application in plenty of time for our holiday plus we all got ours back even tho there was a problem with my it got sorted and was approved the same day and they have everything they need. He just said I’m just warning you it be over the 10 week period but they will try and get it approved before we go away on may. So fingers crossed ,I get it sorted soon.

So on Friday we received a notification our online application had been changed to a paper application, We got a phone call today from the processing team who told me my daughters replacement passport should be done this week as we are now at 10 weeks and he would send a message to the examiner to say we fly in 3 weeks , along with our to application numbers we have and said it will be done by the end of the week. I’m now at 2 hour wait on the phone to speak to someone because I received a text saying they had received my application and it will be completed in the next 10 weeks!! So Fumming and fed up with the stress of all this now!! 10 weeks ago I put the application in along with 2 others and they were stress free and back over a month ago!

Anyone have any good news today about there passport, really stressing out and can’t be bothered to ring them as they just going to say they can’t do anything 😭😭

Can someone please help. I’m still waiting for for son passport (renewal) that’s been in process for 2weeks now I applied on the 21st February Iv received my daughter back what I applied on the same day as my sons but it’s just still saying his is in process. I foy out 1week today and get get married on the 17th the only reason why I’m worried coz if I cancel my wedding my sister won’t be able to make it as she got diagnosed with cancer and we don’t no yet what the outcome gonna be

After a tricky and stressful passport renewal experience I have started a government petition. Please do sign it to help everyone on this forum: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/612738 Reform UK passport application tracking and options to fast-track applications We want the Government to: 1. Improve passport tracking information so accurate, detailed and real-time information is available online for all passport applications. 2. Allow the option to fast-track any passport application (for a fee) for any reason. More details My recent experience of passport renewals has highlighted the need for the passport application system, and the tracking information provided to customers throughout the application process, to be overhauled. There is a lack of communication in the system, which can cause a lot of stress. In addition, there is a lack of flexibility in the system for existing applications.

So apparently after being in processing since the 10th march, they are waiting on a letter to say why the passport was damaged. I’ve sent numerous emails and phone calls for weeks to be told I didn’t need anything was just waiting on an examiner to this today. We are supposed to fly on the 14th so I’m raging.

Jb22f - I know how you feel, we’ve just been told our daughters is printing after 10 weeks of being messed around. On Friday we got a notification saying it had moved from online application to paper application and got a text saying we would have to wait Another 10 weeks!! Numerous calls and long waits it got sent to management and approved within hours. I hope you have some luck and get it back before your holiday. X

I have just been told my application has changed to a paper application today but nothing more of waiting additional weeks. No other information. How did you manage to speak to a manager?

Sorry for sounding dumb but what do u all mean by saying it’s changed to paper application

Amirun87 - I rang up Friday as soon as it went to paper application, as didn’t understand why it had done this. We got put on the list for call back. Monday someone rang us and escalated it to the examiner. With both application numbers. Later in the day I got the 10 weeks text . Rang again and waiting 2hrs for the processing team and he told me that it had been escalated to a manager and it was approved within hours and gone straight to central print. I’m not sure wether it’s because we were at the 10 weeks mark already or not. Passportwait- I’m not to sure no one could work out why we had been given a second application number for the passport. So they had to link it to the original and escalate it. Which was approved and sent to print within 6 hours.

Ok thanks, glad your finally getting somewhere with yours now, anyone know how long they take to answer phone 🤔

I’ve sent it special delivery guaranteed before 1pm tomorrow. The guy on the phone today said he has also put a note in. Im just upset more because they havent told me until today they are waiting for a letter. If there is no movement on it tomorrow I’m going to ask for it to be escalated to management as well as that’s just ridiculous. Im glad you are finally getting sorted.

I spoke to a lovely man yesterday from the passport office, he’s wrote a note on my file to the examiner for them to update me as haven’t heard anything and also if I need to send anything else in as it’s a change of surname I’m wanting on the renewal passport, really hope I hear soon

Jb22f - it took them ages to tell us we need to send a full birth cert. Applied 30/1 and got the letter 16/3. I don’t get why it takes so long for them to let us know. Passportwait, I hope you get an update soon, this passport stuff is so stressful xx

Tell me about it, thought buying a house was stressful but this is on another level 🤯🤯

Why does it take so long to say they've received the documents? It's over 3 weeks now.

Does anyone have a phone number for the Durham office? I’m trying to get an original application withdrawn so that the fast track can start to be processed. Apparently the call centre has no number for Durham but I don’t believe this!!

03001231973 I rang this number and the guy was very helpful, the number online I find they can’t be bothered to help or even look at your application

Thank you, I did ring this number and they were the people that have said they can’t contact Durham except via email . I just don’t understand how customer service cannot speak to the Durham office directly for urgent matters. He told me the application can’t be withdrawn until an examiner picks it up which could be weeks- yet I’ve paid for a 7 day fast track which was already 2 days ago

It makes no sense and don’t know why it’s taking sooo long for an examiner to look at them,we wanted to go on holiday in may but can’t book anything just incase 😭

I know it’s silly! My friend sent for her sons passport the same day I sent my daughters off and his arrived yesterday! Makes no sense the order they do them in

My sister put in for her child’s renewal a week after me and they just sent an email saying it’s printed and ready to be sent out, didn’t have to go through the processing stage

Annie what date did you contact your mp? And how long after til it was approved?

Emergency Travel ---------------- I need to travel due to emergency on compassionate reason. My passport is with them for renewal. I contacted them and raised a request on 05th April. Status of the application moved to "Approved" yesterday morning. When I contacted again this morning, they said that it happened on normal schedule and I'll receive the passport in 7-10 working days. I need to travel as soon as possible as my father is in ICU. I have been speaking to different people but they all insist to wait for 7-10 working days. Any advice if there is any other way for me to travel will be much appreciated