*PLEASE HELP* MY FIRST UK PASSPORT (ADULT)

I’m in the exact same boat as you!! I’m 20 and have never had a passport or been on a plane, handed it in March 30th bc i’m flying june 1st and I’ve literally not heard anything even though I’m sure we’ll probably need an interview off them. tbf, you’re better off than me as i left it 8 weeks before i fly

It's so sh*t how it's this much of a hassle to get it sorted. You can't even fast track first UK passports (to my knowledge) which is a complete farce. Fingers crossed you get away, can you show me the log of your online application? Are they processing it or does it still say "send your documents" like Mine?

Appreciate al feedback – even if it’s bad

The key update to look out for is after the documents received one. This can go one of two ways - directly to approved or it will show as processing. If the update goes to processing your application has dropped out of the digital processing route and is now on the manual route, and will take considerably longer to process. Given your travel date is in July I am sure you'll be fine but as they are under huge pressure at the moment so you never know. As it's a first passport you will need an interview as well - make sure you book your date as quick as you can when notified - days lost there will be days delayed. Good luck.

Appreciate al feedback – even if it’s bad

The key update to look out for is after the documents received one. This can go one of two ways - directly to approved or it will show as processing. If the update goes to processing your application has dropped out of the digital processing route and is now on the manual route, and will take considerably longer to process. Given your travel date is in July I am sure you'll be fine but as they are under huge pressure at the moment so you never know. As it's a first passport you will need an interview as well - make sure you book your date as quick as you can when notified - days lost there will be days delayed.

unfortunately i don’t have access to my tracking i did it through post office which i’m shitting myself cos a dunno which way is faster :( i had no clue i was meant to take a note of the barcode number and the post office took back in my check and send thingy av been spamming the passport email support thing for the past 5 days to no response lmao

Aww yeah I've heard online is faster but who actually knows... I've got my fingers crossed for you mate, will make the pints taste even better if it comes in time. Best of luck bro!

I applied for mine 24/3/22 and currently still waiting ( at the time the advertised max wait was 6 weeks and has now passed). The passport office receiving your docs doesn’t mean they have scanned it in the system, for me this took 3 weeks from them receiving to scanning it in. So massive time wasted there. I am about to approach my MP regarding this as I need my proof to work for a job interview soon and all means of communication with the passport office has not been successful. Not sure if this is helping you or not

Ahhh rifht, so what stage is your application at according to the online tracking? Is it at least making progress? Fingers crossed for you mate, sounds like they're having paper aeroplane competitions in those offices😂

Ahhh rifht, so what stage is your application at according to the online tracking? Is it at least making progress? Fingers crossed for you mate, sounds like they're having paper aeroplane competitions in those offices😂

I am stresssing I applied for my passport through post office check and send march29 2022 and have still not heard anything I am due to fly on the 3rd June the post office told me the wait was 10 weeks but that at the time the turn around was more like 5 weeks. I have been calling the passport number and online web chat everyday never get a answer always cuts off I’m praying it’s back in time as you can’t speak to anyone even if it’s passed the expected time..

I'm in the same boat and it could go either way really. If your application avoids manual processing ("Application being processed" on the tracker) then you'll be fine, you're in for a bit of a wait if not. I'm almost 9 weeks in so far after the website told me it would take 4 weeks. I applied on the 5th March then went into processing on the 1st April. Currently processing for 5 weeks, from what I've seen of other people 6 weeks processing is about average. They will also invite you for an interview as it's a first passport although mines not even reached that stage yet. Was told it would be through Microsoft teams, not sure when they're going back to in person ones. Upgrades aren't available for first time adult passports but I was told on the phone today that they can "escalate" it but only after 10 weeks, not entirely sure if that will speed it up but guess I'll find out next week.

Aww that's gutting. The phone number is an absolute nightmare, have you tried contacting an MP? Might be your best bet if there's no way you can get in touch directly with them!

Aww that’s gutting. The phone number is an absolute nightmare, have you tried contacting an MP? Might be your best bet if there’s no way you can get in touch directly with them!

Thanks for your reply do you think they can help ? I hadn’t thought of that

I ain't too sure the logistics of how it works but given the imcompetence of the passport office it's probably one of your only bets. Worth a shot!

Yeah it can’t hurt! Oh it’s crazy all this

Typed up a big reply earlier but it didn't post 😑 Basically how long you wait will be down to whether your application goes into manual processing ("Application being processed" on the tracker). It can add around 6 weeks to your application. I'm in the same boat as you with a first adult passport. Website said it would be 4 weeks at the time and it's been almost 9 weeks now. Submitted everything on the 5th March, went into processing on the 1st April. 5 weeks processing so far and told today it's still waiting for an examiner. From what I've seen with other peoples applications processing is around 6 weeks currently. All first adult passports need an interview if you've not had a passport before. Not reached that point with mine yet but I've been told it's going to be through Microsoft teams and they'll contact me telling me to ring up and arrange. Not sure when they're going to start doing them in person again. First passports also can't get the 2 week before travel upgrade (had to rebook my holiday for 16th May now at £600 cost even though I allowed 10 weeks 3 days). On the phone to them today though they said they can "escalate" it at the 10 week mark, not sure if that will speed it up or not but guess I'll see next week. Won't help me with 3 days spare but might help you if it comes to that.

@xgemmax82 have you used the web form to ask for tracking info? I think that's what they say to do for post office check and send. I know they take forever to answer through that though. The number I've been using is 03001231973, I think it's direct to the Liverpool office so you don't have to press buttons at the start. I've heard it works better for some people who get cut off on the main line.

Thank you for your replies, I have used the tracking form but I haven’t had any response yet I will try that other number thanks for telling me about that it’s been doing my head in I keep calling and getting cut off it’s just a nightmare.

Hi thanks for replying I have used the tracking form but so far nothing back yet I have tried this number today no answer but didn’t get cut off so thank u for that.