Hi all,
I have just been on the phone to the Customer Service Management Team.
Apparently due to the big backlog in passports and it starting to hit the news (a few news articles today) they have realsed a new upgrade path for applications today!
If you can prove you are traveling within two weeks you are able to pay to upgrade. We got told to email a specific new upgrade team email adress stating various things and get contacted to pay and get fast tracked.
Personally we do not travel in two weeks time but I thought I would share with this fourm. Also you seem to get told 101 different things, so would be useful to know if anyone else also got told this!
The person on the phone said no doubt there will be teething problems and is not free.
If you are traveling within two weeks or about to, I would call up and ask about this serivce.
If you have any sucess please do let me know!
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New Passport Upgrade Service!
Travelingsoon12 · 6 Apr 2022, 15:40
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@Amber9514 I don't think there is a direct number, or at least I haven't seen them give it out to anyone.
I rnag yesterday and was given an email address only and told that I should use that
If you know where the passport application is then the email is "Location'UpgradeTeam@hmpo.gov.uk
So for example, mine was PeterboroughUpgradeTeam@hmpo.gov.uk
You have to include your date of travel in the subject box and attach evidence, form what I've gathered, they don't reply until a few days before, very stressful, but worth a go.
The number you've been using, are they helpful when you get through?
Passport was sitting in processing for weeks, though f this, booked a cheap flight for next week, got in touch with upgrade team earlier this week, passport arrived today, best £7.99 I’ve spent, can sleep easy now.
Passport was sitting in processing for weeks, thought f this, booked a cheap flight for next week, got in touch with upgrade team earlier this week, passport arrived today, best £7.99 I’ve spent, can sleep easy now. Plus I didn’t get asked for the upgrade fee, result.
@restlesskid what office called you? I fly Sunday and still haven’t heard
I’ll just say they had Irish accent
@restlesskid how long after applying through the email did they ring you? only applied yesterday as I fly 12th May, but just trying to get a timeframe for hearing back
@restlesskid which passport office was your application with? My daughters is Durham but by the looks of the comments on here they are very slow 😩 it was sent to Belfast originally then transferred to Durham
No success here. Flying Tuesday morning. I got through to the management team who ultimately said they haven't got guidance as to whether they're working bank holiday Monday as to whether that counts as the 2nd day before?!
No success here. Flying Tuesday morning. I got through to the management team who ultimately said they haven't got guidance as to whether they're working bank holiday Monday as to whether that counts as the 2nd day before?!
What would you do?
This is for a renewal liverpool dealing with this one.
Application submitted 29 March 2022
Documents received (passport)8 April 2022
Asked for a proof of parental responsibility 12th and again 19th this was sent and signed for by the office 14th.
Holiday for my son is on the 20th May with his grandparents (haven't told the mother in law I'm dead ha)
Now what I'm worried about is the birth certificate is in my wifes maiden name... are they going to now ask for the marriage certificate?
Been 2 weeks since signed for and 3 weeks until the holiday.
Should I hold out few more days or get the ball rolling on the upgrade team?
With it being a renewal don't they keep birth certificates on file from the first passport 5 years ago ?
Thank you for any advice.
@restlesskid how long were you waiting for the call back? I applied yesterday as I fly on 12/05 and just wondering how long it took them to give you a call back
Thanks
Did you hear from them??? Fingers crossed
Just a little update maybe a coincidence but I emailed the upgrade address asking about the progress.
40 mins later I've had a response to say application approved and it's off for printing so you'd think 2.5 weeks is enough time.
Goodluck everyone
@homersimo1 - Congratulations! Which upgrade address did you email? We fly the 17th May and have until today to pay thousands to change our dates or lose thousands by taking a punt our passport will arrive which has been stuck in application processing since March as the lost passport number didn't pull through into our application for a new lost passport...thanks so much!
Well depending where your passport is being processed I emailed.
liverpoolupgradeteam@hmpo.gov.uk
Maybe it is a coincidence but it does seem likely someone has seen my email and made a move on it.
Maybe worth a email explaining your situation and that you go on holiday the 17th.
The staff are working hard unlike what the media are telling you and aren't working from home I doubt someone has the printing capabilities for a passport at home.
Goodluck
Any luck?
This is outrageous and unacceptable. It’s having such a detrimental impact on my health… hope you got yours as today is last day for you to hear back from them
Hi sorry I replied to this but it hasn't sent.
The email address was the for Liverpool office liverpoolupgradeteam@hmpo.gov.uk
Not sure it was a coincidence but strange how it was suddenly updated 40 minutes after.
I just explained the holiday situation and if any information on the progress can be shared.
Id email and explain your situation.
Goodluck keep us all updated.
Well guys, were out of time and nothing. I rang today and was told it was being sent as and urgent request to the manager of the managers and that I would get a call by the end of the day. Hopes up again and nothing. Upgrade request sent exactly 2 weeks ago tomorrow along with a referral from a manager and still got no where. Hope everyone else gets Thiers in time. Good luck everyone xx
@homersimo1 did you apply for an upgrade first before you emailed them or did you just email them without going for an upgrade? I’m desperate to get something more from the passport office then it’s waiting for an examiner 🤦♀️ It’s not changed in over a month now. I will give anything a try at this rate 🙌
Yes I did, processing put me forward for the upgrade and asked me to email also. Followed instructions to word and nothing. Total waste of time.
Is anyone getting the email of Acknowledgement of Upgrade request does that mean anything?
That's the Newport number. Does anyone have the Durham number?
Literally being held hostage in the country. Can’t fly without a passport yet they can’t get their act together and issue a passport in ample time! I’m properly angry now. We pay for a service and we deserve better!
The amount of stress this is causing for many people is unnecessary and unfair.
Please can people post more success stories so it can lift others spirits
Nothing for me. Application processing since 18th March. Submitted 17th Feb.
Fastrack email sent 19th 21st 25st
Local MP email sent.
Various customer service emails sent and management team conversations that were dead ends.
0300222000
01633285419
03001231973
03002220222
Cancelling flights today. As it'll never be printed in time for Tuesday morning now..
No, I literally just enquired about the status of my application and told them I was worried that it had been 2 weeks that the child birth certificate hadn't been received on the system and if they needed more information I can respond quickly as my daughter goes on holiday in 2 weeks.
I didn't receive a reply to that email just a hour later my status updated so maybe it was a coincidence or someone did look at my application upon seeing that email.
It looks like once approved most are printed within 2-3 days, if I don't have any updates by Friday 6th then I will request a upgrade on a fast track.
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