Blog

Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport

Submission Date:
2022-06-08

Date Received:
2022-07-13

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
I was really apprehensive following reports in the news and from other applicants concerning delays and other challenges. My experience was not terrible by any means. The only frustrating part is getting documentation back that were submitted during the initial application process. Had to call the helpline a number of times and the willingness to assist varied wildly depending on who answered the call. In the end, understood I had to write a letter and physically post the request which I did. I received my UK passport yesterday (13.7) with still no clear understanding when the other documents will arrive, despite providing a paid self-addressed envelope during submission. Official information indicates within 2 weeks after receipt of UK passport. This website really assisted me to understand processing times better throughout and calculate when the process may be finalised – many thanks for the initiative.

8 June: Application Submitted
8 June: Identity Confirmed
9 June: Identity Details Received
9 June: Application Received
14 June: Documents Received
8 July: Application Approved
12 July: Passport Printed
13 July: Passport Delivered

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-08

Date Received:
2022-07-12

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
Overseas passport renewal application (from Australia)
Application submitted 8 April 2022
Docs arrived at HMPO 6 June 2022 (sent via regular mail hence delay from application date)
Approved 29 June 2022
Printed 1 July 2022
Arrived Australia 12 July 2022

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-07-02

Date Received:
2022-07-14

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
No issues at all – super fast turnaround on a normal renewal service via online application. PP office kept me updated on various stage of progress. Very pleased with the service.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-07-06

Date Received:
2022-07-14

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
I applied online, followed all instructions as requested, was completely kept informed by the passport office at each stage of the process and received my passport today. Very happy with the service.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-07-05

Date Received:
2022-07-14

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
No problems

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-07-06

Date Received:
2022-07-14

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
The algorithm used to assess your attempt at a digital photo is rubbish. If you get a “fair” verdict use it. Write that it is a true likeness and a better likeness than your previous passport in the box provided.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-07-04

Date Received:
2022-07-14

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Online renewal was very easy and I got regular updates via email and text, without having to log on to track it (which is an option). I took my own photo following instructions and you get feedback immediately suggesting whether it is compliant or not – although it’s not a guarantee. I am just faintly irritated as I booked time abroad based on the 10 week turn around, so I could have gone much earlier. 10 DAYS is a bit of a contrast to the published 10 weeks!

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-06-04

Date Received:
Not Received

Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful

Comments:
No sign of my passport, though husbands, both sent the same day has arrived.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-09

Date Received:
2022-06-30

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
Took 7 weeks to receive passport.. was an adult name change. Had to send lots of documents in, but never needed to send anything else.
Received 2 days after approval. Very straight forward but took a while but under the 10 weeks.

Overall, happy with service, applied with plenty of time before our holiday in August.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-07-04

Date Received:
2022-07-13

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
history
Passport printed
Application approved
Documents received
Application received
Application submitted
3:21am on 12 July 2022
1:12pm on 11 July 2022
10:27am on 7 July 2022
11:19am on 4 July 2022
11:19am on 4 July 2022

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-07-05

Date Received:
2022-07-14

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
For my renewal I got a digital photo, professionally taken, for £6.50, renewed online and sent my old passport back the next day. I got regular text messages updating me of progress. Once approved it was printed the next day, dispatched the day after delivered the next before 10.00am. A completely seamless process from beginning to end.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-06-10

Date Received:
2022-07-14

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
Can’t fault the passport service They were very helpful and answered all my enquiries via email within 24 hours

Application submitted:10/6/22
Application received:14/6/22
Passport approved:12/7/22
Passport received:14/7/22

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-07-08

Date Received:
2022-07-14

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
It was so fast, I could hardly believe when it arrived first thing this morning. 5 days including weekends.
Think use of photo booth helps ensure application is straight forward.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-04-29

Date Received:
2022-05-15

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Applied online. No problems at all.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-07-05

Date Received:
2022-07-14

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
I renewed my passport (adult) and I can’t fault the service. My dad has his sent to Bootle and his arrived today – he applied a day later than me. Quick turnaround time as you can see below:

Passport printed 13 July 2022
Application approved 12 July 2022
Documents received 8 July 2022
Application received 6 July 2022
Application submitted 6 July 2022

I used the Official Passport Photo app on Android to take pic and both got approved with no issues.

I’m happy the service and impressed.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-07-04

Date Received:
2022-07-14

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Super quick

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-07-10

Date Received:
2022-07-14

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Passport took 4 days, standard online application. Never known anything so fast. I was expecting it to take weeks.

Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport

Submission Date:
2022-05-21

Date Received:
2022-07-14

Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful

Comments:
Even though I’m based in Scotland my application was routed to the Liverpool office. After 6 weeks (with no updates) I was able to get through to the upgrade team (there was many hours of being on hold to do this), who asked me to email proof of travel etc. After this was a further two weeks with no feedback until today I received a phone call saying that I needed to upload a new photo and that if it was suitable I would be able to pick up my passport from Glasgow (which is closer than Liverpool but still 3 hours drive away) today.

Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport

Submission Date:
2022-05-04

Date Received:
2022-07-13

Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful

Comments:
We had nothing until day before the 10 weeks was up then after emails and calls it moved to approved, printed and we received it on the 13th July exactly 10 weeks.

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-06-10

Date Received:
2022-07-14

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
First child passport. I did the application online on the 10th June and just arrived today 14th July. Pleased it arrived as flying on the 19th.

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-05-28

Date Received:
2022-07-07

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Application history
StatusDate
Passport printed 7:59am on 4 July 2022
Application approved 11:32am on 1 July 2022
Documents received 10:31am on 8 June 2022
Application received 8:26am on 29 May 2022
Identity details received 8:26am on 29 May 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 10:59am on 28 May 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity 10:18am on 28 May 2022
Application submitted 10:18am on 28 May 2022

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-05-20

Date Received:
2022-07-07

Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average

Comments:
Daughters 1st passport received last week but sons 1st passport not yet ‘approved’ although both docs were sent on the same day.

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Submission Date:
2022-05-28

Date Received:
2022-07-06

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Documents received 5 days after submitted (bank holiday). Heard nothing for a further 5 weeks. Then in a matter of days it was processed, printed and sent. Took 1 day to receive.

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-04

Date Received:
2022-07-18

Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average

Comments:
Had to chase application. Told that after 10 weeks could expedite it within 2 weeks of travel. Called 2 weeks before due to travel, told to expect a call back. 24 hours received the call back and told to email evidence to specify address. Did so at 9am, at 1pm same day received a text to say it was arriving within a couple of working days.

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-06-19

Date Received:
2022-06-28

Overall Experience:
Please Rate out of 5

Comments:
3/4 passports returned well within the indicative time and these 3 were sent to Liverpool. 4th first child passport sent to Peterborough, we’re now in the 4th week of waiting.

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Submission Date:
2022-05-09

Date Received:
2022-06-24

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
Took 6 weeks, which I was expecting it to take longer. Had issues because application didn’t match mothers name on her passport to the name on the application due to name change. Was asked to send mother’s full birth certificate, once this was sent, the passport was approved a week later.

Overall, good service, applied with plenty of time for our holiday in August.

Type of Application:
First UK Passport (Overseas Application)

Submission Date:
2022-05-02

Date Received:
2022-07-01

Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful

Comments:
Took just over 10 weeks to receive both my passport and supporting documents, all of which I need to travel.
The most stressful part was waiting 3 weeks for the office to say they had received my documents (despite knowing that the post had delivered them).
DHL also delivered my documents WITHOUT a signature to the wrong house- luckily it was a kind neighbour who gave me the package.
They did meet their timeline of 13 weeks that was quoted when I applied.

Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)

Submission Date:
2022-05-13

Date Received:
2022-07-14

Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful

Comments:
The delay between the recorded delivery of the passport and the acknowledgement of its receipt by HMPO was three weeks. The system needs more status information to keep applicants aware of progress and to reduce unnecessary calls to their helplines.