New Passport Upgrade Service!

Hi everyone I just got of phone with hmpo regarding my upgrade, I fly TOMORROW. Funeral, they have still said wait for an upgrade phone call, I just don’t know what to do, my tracker says my identity details received, doesn’t even say they have been confirmed, I live 10 mins away from Liverpool passport office, I am wondering is it worth going there? Also what documents do I need to take? As my old passport is lost does a driving license/provisional license count as proof of citizenship? Also do I need proof of adress with me there? Sorry for the huge message I’m just stressed out.w

I’m sorry to hear that you are still experiencing this so close to travel. From what I understand you can take your driving license and proof of travel along with your ref no of your application. It wouldn’t hurt to take a proof of address, bank statement etc. not sure if anyone else has anything to add. I would definitely go to the office. I truly hope you get this sorted.

Looks like mine has been sorted finally. The staff at Peterborough were lovely and after a horribly stressful few hours of waiting the lady called Glasgow for me and told me they would sort it today. I got a call from Glasgow about an hour later and have been told I can pick up the passport at 1:30. I won't quite believe it until it is in my hands. I really hope everyone else manages to get their passports. And if you were the Scottish lady who was trying to get her husband's passport for a trip to America - let me know how you got on.

Yeah I’m going to go first thing in the morning with my id and travel itinerary l, fingers crossed it gets sorted, rest of family all got there’s just me waiting. It’s an absolute nightmare. Thanks for your help. Fingers crossed 🤞

What paperwork did you have to take to passport office? I travel tomorrow and I’m going to go there first thing in the morning just want to make sure I leave no stone unturned when I get there.

Just needed the PEX number and proof of travel.

I’ve not been yet, I travel on Saturday, so I’ll head to Glasgow on Thursday if i haven’t heard anything. If you think something is worthwhile taking just take it / it’ll do no harm. It’s a nightmare, I’ve never been so stressed out before. Keeping everything crossed for you.

I’ve seen a lot of people travelling to Glasgow, is there a reason for this? I’m going to be going to the Liverpool one tomorrow do they still take care of it on the day or is glasgow where you need to go?

@wb1979 that’s good news I’m thinking I just go to Liverpool as that is where all ours have been sent to via the post save risking all the hassle going to an office where it could be difficult to chase

From what they said to me, it is no issue transferring passports between offices if the applications had been done online

We’ve done one online 2 new applications by post so best to head to Liverpool where the new applications have been received

Can anyone please confirm… I’m travelling in 10 days now. Waiting on 3 renewals (wife and 2 kids) and sent to 2 different offices. Emails sent to upgrade teams but no response back on either yet. How long before you get some/ any confirmation back from email? Is there a different number than main one to call to chase? Reading here Seems I have to wait till 48hrs before to go to office, can I go on my own for kids and wife? Or do any need come with me? Thanks

Hi Nonum, We’re travelling on 13/8 waiting for a renewal. Our nearest office is london Victoria, however documents are in Liverpool. From the sounds of it we need to wait 48 hours before departure befor me attempting do do anything. I also was also upgraded on 27/06 still nothing.. apparently they don’t call till the last minute. I would say if you don’t hear anything turn up. I’m going to drive to Liverpool on Thursday and see what happens, if not then I’ll return to Victoria on Saturday. Whatever you do get there early as you have 3 applications, Hope you get it all sorted!

Sorry meant to say 13/7/22

Thanks ka8888, hope you get yours sorted too!! My applications will pass 10 weeks next Tuesday and not getting any updates whatsoever is torturous!!! I don’t know if I should just drive up this Saturday, with less than a week to go by then and hope they upgrade, or if it will just be a wasted day and have to go again 48hrs before!! My applications are in Durham and Belfast but closest to me is Liverpool approx 70 mins away.

I think the general advice from this forum over the last few weeks is that they won't deal with your application in person until 48 hours before. Providing there is nothing unusual in your applications it shouldn't be a problem, but make sure you get to the office before it opens to beat the queues.

Wonder if anyone can give me some reassurance/let me know if we’re totally screwed. We filled in an online application for my daughter’s child passport renewal 11th May, old passport sent, countersigned etc etc. on the 21st May my wife received an email asking to provide a copy of her passport as some of the details didn’t match with the application. She’s completely missed this email until Saturday, and the gov application page doesn’t make it clear that additional information was required. We’ve obviously now sent off a copy of wife’s passport but lady on the phone today told me there may be a 3 week processing time for that! It looks like it’s the Liverpool office handling our documents so hopefully that’s a good sign… So, our options seem to be either wait until Thursday to phone and get the 2 week premium upgrade thingy (flying on the 21st) and hope that it can get sorted in time, or not get the passport. Is the 48hr turn up at passport office still an option for us if the worst comes to the worst or are we screwed? Thanks

Hi nonum I applied to renew both of my children's passports on 7th April, daughters back fine, sons we still have not received. He is due to travel on Sunday on a school trip to France! Emailed upgrades, rang and rang and rang. Desperate I went to Liverpool today and queued from 8am. About 9:15 they came out and asked who was travelling Tuesday, they then asked those people if they had also waited more than 10 weeks!If yes to both, got a ticket, to go inside. I asked if I would be seen as I am travelling Sunday, she said no, you need to come back Friday 48 hours before, I said if I wait and there's space later will I be seen she said no, we will be lucky to even get to Wednesday travellers today! I walked back up at 12ish and the queue was still very much going strong! I wouldn't even bother if you are not travelling in the next 48 hours, they put the queue into date of travel!! Good luck!!!

@passportplease22 Thanks for that update, at least good to hear how they handle the queue. Guess for me then I gotta wait and hope I hear something back before next week, else go there on Wednesday as will be after 10 weeks and within 48hrs. Can anyone confirm - all applications and docs have been in and sent - does my wife need to come for hers or can I just go for all 3 passports? And just take travel evidence? Thanks

@nonum I guess not, it's so frustrating and stressful! I have been totally consumed by this for 3 weeks now! Not to mention how anxious my child is about potentially missing his school trip! I'm taking him with me Friday, I'm leaving nothing to chance and taking as much evidence as possible! I pray he gets his passport and doesnt have to miss out, he's already missed out on so much! Most people today were there as full families, not entirely sure though, so wouldn't like to mis-advise.

Well I’m off to try and get mine today as I travel tonight! Let everyone know how it goes, can’t get any more last minute than this surely they must help me

Hi wb1979, I understand you were collecting your son’s passport so did you go alone or have to take him with you? We may well have to travel to Peterborough to do the same thing if the child’s passport we are waiting for does not arrive. Thanks

You can go alone as long as you are the parent/carer named on the application. When you collect your passport, they will check your photo identity and ask some security questions before handing over the new passport to you. You will need to carry your identity proof.

I got no luck whatsoever!! Meant to be flying today but turned away as my travel was booked after my passport application, my travel was booked as an emergency for a funeral but because I didn’t have a letter from coroners office I couldn’t go in. Absolute joke.

So do they check if travel was booked prior to applying? I have t heard of that check before?? How do you prove that? Do they want to see confirmation emails?