Feedback, experiences, timelines, tips and useful information from people that have recently been through the UK passport application process.
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1st Adult Passport
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Liverpool
Submission Date:
2022-07-13
Date Received:
2022-08-09
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Overall really good, though slightly annoying that they keep supporting documents until after you’ve received the new passport.
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
2022-04-02
Date Received:
2022-07-16
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
2/4 – online application
13/4 – old passport signed for (royal mail tracking)
28/4 – old passport acknowledged (!)
7/7 – escalated application (earliest I could)
10/7 – phone call from HMPO re. application
11/7 – passport being printed on portal
16/7 – passport received
15 Weeks total
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-08-03
Date Received:
2022-08-09
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Online application with digital photo – very quick and straightforward
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-07-16
Date Received:
2022-07-25
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
We renewed 2 adult passports using the Post Office Service, they charge £16 for this which includes taking and verifying the photo. The process was easy and super quick.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Glasgow
Submission Date:
2022-07-29
Date Received:
2022-08-03
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
4 passports were sent to the same office. Only received 1 back so far.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool
Submission Date:
2022-08-03
Date Received:
2022-08-09
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very straightforward process online. 6 days start to finish.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-07-28
Date Received:
2022-08-09
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Applied on 28 July and posted my old passport via First Class signed for on the same day (arriving on Friday 19 July but not confirmed as “received” until the next Monday). Not quite as quick as some others on here, but 12 days from start to finish, including 2 weekends, is still an excellent turnaround time given the issues they’ve been having.
I applied online using a photo from a photo booth, with the old passport sent to Corby. (not on the dropdown here as they’re an external contractor working for HMPO I believe)
Passport printed 7:08am on 6 August 2022
Application approved 4:45pm on 5 August 2022
Documents received 9:32am on 1 August 2022
Application received 12:35pm on 28 July 2022
Application submitted 12:35pm on 28 July 2022
1st Child Passport
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Liverpool
Submission Date:
2022-05-31
Date Received:
2022-08-09
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Took 10 weeks, MP involved, upgraded, got our call 3 days before flight and collected the next morning. Stressful, but staff i spoke to were mostly reassuring and helpful.
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Liverpool
Submission Date:
2022-03-03
Date Received:
2022-08-25
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Applied online, photos verified within a few days, sent birth certificates. 3 weeks later received certificates back. Passport office franked envelope. Waited a few weeks, no update, rang customer service several times advised to wait 10 weeks. Still nothing updated online, kept ringing, different responses, then stated they hadn’t received birth certificates. Explained they have had them as I have received them back. Someone was going to ring me back, I resent the certificates again anyway. Eventually updated on tracking received documents 23rd May. Now 11 weeks and still not received, local MP involved. Constantly chasing them, given different or unhelpful information. Email yesterday received from expedite team advised that now passed to examination team to be progressed ASAP.
My holiday is 25th August, totally frustrating as the delay was their error, I applied early due to the busy times and it still didn’t work. Even though it was their error still didn’t get prioritised.
Total lack of understanding and system is ridiculous, people applying later and receiving passports quicker!!
I must add also applied for an adult renewal received within 3 weeks.
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
London
Submission Date:
2022-07-05
Date Received:
2022-08-09
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
The government should provide the service you are providing, this is, live estimated times for the different type of passports (and ideally for in the different offices).
Overseas Passport Application
Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
2022-04-28
Date Received:
No Received
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
STILL NOT RECEIVED. Unable to find me in the system, £95 spent a disgrace
