New Passport Upgrade Service!

@brussels83 We requested an upgrade via Customer Services Management last Tuesday, (then) two weeks before our flights. The chap sent an email on our behalf and I sent one with all our details plus attached documents with booking and flight dates, all to Peterborough Office. I received an email acknowledgment from Peterborough the next day. Both the advisor and the email were clear not to expect any movement until at least 72 hours before travel, possibly even right up until 24 hrs before. So I think you’ve done everything correctly. We’re travelling to Peterborough on Saturday, in case our upgrade isn’t successful. Good luck!

Just wanted to drop a note to the forum for anyone giving up hope, we've finally had some success after 10 weeks waiting and within the 14 days of travel (flying on 4th) ! We've been passed from pillar to post but my best advice if you are getting close to travel and not heard anything use the 0300 150 0850 number, also if you haven't had the acknowledgement email from upgrades re-sent the info. We submitted an upgrade on 20th with no confirmation of receipt, after all the help on here we thought it strange so re-sent last night at 5pm and got the email back... 9am this morning the passport has been approved and is being printed, the only slight worry is that its gone to post rather than allowing us to collect as we requested, however, about 5 minutes after tracking updated Mohammed from the 0850 number who we spoke to on the 20th called us to say not to worry as its being printed today and will be posted via the next day service. So much advice and help on this forum its been amazing and I can't thank everyone enough for the help! Hoping everyone else gets sorted, I'd honestly given up

How do I find out where my passport is being processed? Did PO Check & Send paper service for an adult renewal on 25/4, only received confirmation of receipt from HMP 13/05, no further text/emails saying processing or printed. Flying 16/7 but need to get a visa first, which takes 4 days. Thanks for all the advice on this forum. On Sat (14 days to flight) I'll contact my MP and phone the 0850 number to see if I can upgrade. Planning to make trip to passport office as soon as it's been 10 weeks since sending - just need to work out which one. Totally with everyone ref stress level.

Looks as though that 0850 number has already been disconnected. Tried just now and it's saying number invalid :(

@SBen2210 - could be my typing the number is 0300 105 0850 (apologies i think I put 150) sometimes it connects others it says the call volumes are too high, keep trying and eventually it'll work, always a long wait on hold though when you do. Or call bang on 8am

Thanks - on hold now. I rang the main number again and followed up on the upgrade I requested Saturday as was told yesterday if I hadn't heard back from them by lunchtime today then I should call back. The person I spoke with today said "you just have to wait, we can't give a time frame. You may be picked for an upgrade, you may not" :| So that's filled me with zero confidence. Due to fly next Thursday and it's causing me major anxiety.

Spoke to the progress team, and there's nothing more I or they can do. My application went into examination last Wednesday after submitting it on 24th April and my upgrade request has been received as I travel 7th July but it's not a guarantee that it will be upgraded. They advised that the 48h callback from the upgrade team is no longer happening due to volume of upgrade requests and they are responding to people based on their travel date so will most likely hear back 2-3 days before my flight. There is a chance it could be approved via the normal process this week but I'm not holding my breath. Was also told that there could be a chance that even if my upgrade is approved 2-3 days before I fly, I may not be given the option to be able to collect it from my local passport office and that it will have to be posted out. So unless they send it out next day delivery, I won't get it before my flight...

Hi was your application a renewal? Thanks

Hi Ben, was your application a renewal ? Thanks

No, it was a replacement for a lost passport. Still doesn't excuse the fact that it's been sitting in a pile waiting to be examined for 8 weeks.

Child new application 20th May applied 3rd June received Wife went to Belfast office 27th June and told we had to wait until 1st (6 weeks), then email upgrade team with details of travel on 10th July . However strangely enough an hour later application was approved. Think the staff member typed a lot of information to someone but didn’t give my wife any details or hope. 29th June printed :)

@passportstress1 worst comes to worst I’ll prob end up having to go to the Belfast office - were the queues bad? Staff ok to deal with? Don’t really want to have to go but if needs must we will have to! 9weeks into application and travel in just under 3, so can only kick off expedite/upgrade next Monday.

Help please, I am panicking. Submitted to replace my son's lost passport on 25th April. Was in 'processing' for ages, tracking now says 'Identity details received' We plan to travel on July 13th, which is in 2 weeks. I have emailed the upgrade emails as per this forum but haven't received any acknowledgment or response. Slightly panicking, don't know what to do next. How do you find out which passport office is processing your application? Nearest office to me is Newport. Should I just turn up early in the morning and hope for the best? This is so stressful Thanks for any advice Identity details received What happens next Your referee has provided details to help us confirm your identity. We’re checking these details. We’ll email you when your application is approved. Application history StatusDate Identity details received 9:40pm on 25 April 2022 Email sent to person confirming your identity 2:04pm on 24 April 2022 Ask someone to confirm your identity 2:00pm on 24 April 2022 Application submitted 2:00pm on 24 April 2022

Finally had a call back from the upgrade team, and I will be able to collect my passport from Peterborough tomorrow between 2pm & 4pm. Upgrade request was sent Saturday and I fly a week tomorrow. Applied for replacement passport on 24th April. Will be able to relax as soon as I have it in my hand!

You passport has been printed - does this mean it’s on its way?

@andytyke76 it does, if you google TNT track my passport enter your PEX it'll show if its been collected / delivery timings (if your in the UK), ours moved to printed yesterday lunch time and its out for delivery today with TNT

@sben2210 Did you receive an email acknowledgment for your upgrade request? The reason I ask is that I initially sent an upgrade request to Belfast last Thurs 23rd but got no auto reply. Sent again on Mon 27th and got an auto reply that time. We also fly next Thursday 7th July,Application submitted 26th April.

I fly on Monday. I've submitted an upgrade request, I got an automated email. Is there anything else I can do?? The passport application is at Durham....6 hours away from home.

I have read lots and the progress team say that they tend to call 48 hours before. If we fly Monday...would that be sat or more likely tomorrow? Any help is really appreciated

My partner actually gone to Peterborough 48hours before we travel, he was first in the que, anyway after the lady messed up with the date we’re travelling he’s been told he can come back next day to get his passport. Next day in the morning he’s had a phone call from Durham he’s passport is ready to be sent, my partner said to them if they can have it ready in Peterborough as that’s the closest office to us and they did. I wouldn’t wait for the phone call from them because they range us literally 12 hours before our travels, my advice is to travel to your closest office closer to your flight. When my partner asked them on the phone if he could go himself to the office they’ve told him they won’t help but they actually did

Hello everyone, I’m wondering if anyone has had any luck within these last two weeks of receiving an upgrade? Do you know how long they are taking to call people back? TIA

Everyone going through this awful experience has my sympathies. The stress it causes is unbelievable. We applied for my son's passport in April, the website says documents were recorded as received on the 22nd April, and our holiday starts on 7th July. On the advice of the helpline I sent an email requesting an upgrade to the Glasgow office exactly two weeks before our holiday, and received a confirmation email the following day. Since then we have heard nothing and as the holiday approaches we are all getting increasingly anxious. I have contacted my MP who has confirmed that the upgrade is in place but I am still planning on attending the passport office in person next week if we have not heard anything by then. Keeping fingers crossed for you all.

Hey! So I’ve got good news ! Someone rang from the upgrade team this morning & approved ! passport is already ready to collect from our closet passport office. For reference we are flying Monday 4th July X

Great news - what were the timescales on your case?

Hey ! See below. Application history Status Date Passport printed 11:22am on 30 June 2022 Application approved 10:31am on 30 June 2022 Identity details receive 12:46pm on 6 May 2022 Email sent to person confirming your identity 7:35am on 6 May 2022 Ask someone to confirm your identity 7:34am on 6 May 2022 Application submitted 7:34am on 6 May 2022