1st Adult Passport
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Submission Date:
2022-05-03
Date Received:
2022-07-07
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Rang helpline for 4 weeks and always received a call back advising what to do next. Final call in week 11 was really positive. Told to go pick up passport in 2 days but arrived & wasn’t ready as promised. Told to go away & maybe it would be ready 48 hours before travel. Liverpool hadn’t processed what Durham needed & Durham refused to ring or email them. I went back on 0300 222 0000 explained I was sat outside Durham & then Liverpool did what was required & after a 9 hour wait it was printed.
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Submission Date:
2022-05-05
Date Received:
2022-07-13
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Absolutely atrocious told lie after lie barely any returned calls in the end ended up to going to Peterborough and waiting for it.
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Submission Date:
2022-03-10
Date Received:
Not Received
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Still not received. Interview 20th July which will mean minimum 21 weeks receipt if it doesn’t fo into another black hole.
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-07-05
Date Received:
2022-07-14
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
It all happened very quickly. I sent old passport back using next day recorded delivery, on the same day as I applied for renewal.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-07-06
Date Received:
2022-07-15
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Not sure what all the fuss is about in the media…! Sent my old passport back using the basic standard service, and had my new passport through the letter box a week later!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-07-07
Date Received:
2022-07-14
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very easy to use the online system, quick and efficient – to be frank I am not sure what the reported stress is all about!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-07-06
Date Received:
2022-07-15
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Passport arrived 11:50am on 15 July 2022
Passport printed 2:37am on 14 July 2022
Application approved 8:10am on 13 July 2022
Documents received 11:19am on 11 July 2022
Application received 7:16pm on 6 July 2022
Application submitted 7:15pm on 6 July 2022
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-07-06
Date Received:
2022-07-14
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Took 5 mins for husband to take photo with phone, 10 min to fill in online form. 7 days from their receipt of old passport to my receipt of new. And kept up to date by email.
Thank you Passport office.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-05-02
Date Received:
Not Received
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Applied for straightforward adult renewal in 2 May and posted my old passport which the Office acknowledged on 13 May. Total silence since then. Emails not responded to and unable to call as 10 weeks are not fully reached. Had to forgo a trip to Berlin at the end of May with my family since no passport. The frustrating thing to really note is that friends and relatives who have recently applied have had their applications completed and passports returned much earlier. Where is the fairness in that?!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-07-10
Date Received:
2022-07-15
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Amazing service, very concerned after all the publicity in the media about wait times, text messages every day on progress, couldn’t fault the service. One sent to Hemel Hempstead and one to Bootle, both sent same day and received same day.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-05-16
Date Received:
2022-07-16
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
I posted the application and it was not registered as received for 2 weeks.
Why can they not re introduce the one year passports from the post office.
Why are we told not to contact them when we are paying for a service.
Lost or Stolen Passport Application
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Submission Date:
2022-04-26
Date Received:
Not Received
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Emails phone calls endless times different stories no help at all
1st Child Passport
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-05-27
Date Received:
2022-07-15
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
The process was a bit long, but finally got it with in the 10 weeks. Still waiting for the support documents. When the application is approved after the procedure get super quick. It was approved 13 July, printed 14 July and received 15 July.
Im glad the passport has the right details, no any mistakes.
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-06-17
Date Received:
2022-07-15
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
I found the overall experience extremely stressful. I had booked a family holiday, couldn’t get a one week appointment, decided to risk it and wait. The advice was not to cancel as it should come in time. After calling almost everyday, nobody could tell me if it would come or not. Documents sent to Liverpool office, spoke to them again and they said it was in Durham. So that was confusing. If possible book a one week fast track appointment, for peace of mind. Especially if you are travelling and pay the extra. Please note, that it can take three weeks too cancel an ordinary application and this needs to be requested in writing.
I checked this site almost everyday too and found reading other people’s experiences gave me a better idea of what to expect which I found reassuring!
Received-15th July
Printed-13 July
Aproved- 13 July
Documents received- 29 June
Application received- 17 June
Identity confirmed- 17 June
Application submitted- 17 June
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-06-09
Date Received:
2022-07-18
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
I applied for a Adult Renewal at the same time that came in about 10 days from applying. The wait for my baby’s passport was nerve racking but so relaxed now!
Passport printed 7:36am on 15 July 2022
Application approved 2:00pm on 14 July 2022
Documents received 2:20pm on 17 June 2022
Application received 10:08pm on 9 June 2022
Identity details received 10:08pm on 9 June 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 6:14pm on 9 June 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity 4:27pm on 9 June 2022
Application submitted 4:27pm on 9 June 2022
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-06-12
Date Received:
2022-07-15
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Docs sent to Liverpool office.
Passport printed 7:32am on 14 July 2022
Application approved 12:33pm on 13 July 2022
Documents received 2:45pm on 17 June 2022
Application received 9:32am on 13 June 2022
Identity details received 9:32am on 13 June 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 9:20pm on 12 June 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity 1:37pm on 12 June 2022
Application submitted 1:37pm on 12 June
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-04-26
Date Received:
2022-07-14
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Passport received on 14 July 2022
Passport printed 3:54pm on 12 July 2022
Application approved 3:21pm on 12 July 2022
Documents received 9:56am on 4 May 2022
Application received 8:57pm on 26 April 2022
Identity details received 8:56pm on 26 April 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 8:37pm on 26 April 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity 7:20pm on 26 April 2022
Application submitted 7:20pm on 26 April 2022
The whole process is very stressful and the passport office advice is inconsistent and unhelpful.
The passport office (Glasgow) left this application until the 3rd July when a letter was sent to our identify checker’s work address (which never arrived). At 10 weeks we were told about this letter, but they refused to state what was in it. Called 0300 222 0000 daily after 10 weeks, being told we weren’t entitled to be expedited even though we met the 10 weeks wait and travelling in two weeks criteria. 10 weeks and 3 days in we spoke to a helpful adviser who told us who was processing our application and the contents of the letter (which was on their system). We then sent a copy of our identity checker’s passport as requested on next day delivery tracked with Royal Mail. The next day we spoke to an adviser in the morning who was rude and told us that they couldn’t confirm that our post had arrived, even though we should see on Royal Mail it had been signed for. Contacted our MP office and then called again and spoke to an advisor who was incredibly helpful, expedited our case for free as we met the 10 weeks and travelling in 2-week criteria, and told us that they had received our post and had everything they needed to process the application asap. We were told we’d get a phone call by the expediate team in Glasgow to confirm if we wanted to pick up the passport or have it delivered by TNT. Two working days later there was no phone call but passport was approved that evening. Tried to contact to confirm if we could pick it up from Durham (our nearest passport office), but no one could tell us where the passport was. MP’s office was amazing and kept trying to find out where our passport was etc. Passport arrived two days after printing via TNT. I’d recommend putting your passport application number in the TNT website to see if they have your passport after printing.
Overall, I’d recommend calling multiple times if you are hearing absolute rubbish from an adviser, I’d also contact your MP if you meet the 10 weeks and travelling in 2 weeks criteria.
Various contact information we were given:
Glasgow upgrade team: glasgowupgradeteam@hmpo.gov.uk
01753204983: a callback we received from HMPO
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Submission Date:
2022-06-12
Date Received:
2022-07-15
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Sent to Hemel Hampstead office.
Child Renewal
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-07-05
Date Received:
2022-07-14
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
9 days from submission to receiving. No issues.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-07-03
Date Received:
2022-07-14
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Sent two child passport renewals – one to Hemel Hempstead and one to Liverpool. Exact same processing times from both locations.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-04-20
Date Received:
2022-07-15
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Submitted a child renewal application online which then had to be upgraded to first adult as past 16th birthday due to delay in processing the application. The HMPO helpline is run by a subcontractor and most advisor do not have the experience, or the information, to really provide help. This adds up to the backlog and causes a huge amount of unnecessary confusion, additional calls, emails, stress. The HMPO online tracking system provides little information and late, so it is no surprise that many try to get information by other ways. I waited patiently for 10 weeks, but past that, there was no way to understand what the problem was and had to resort pretty much to anything, including involving my MP.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-05-01
Date Received:
2022-07-14
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Absolute nightmare, spent hours emailing and calling.
Made me ill from the stress.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-07-07
Date Received:
2022-07-16
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Do not know what happened but back in 8 calendar days!!!
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Submission Date:
2022-05-01
Date Received:
2022-07-14
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
I applied for my son’s passport on 1st May. Passport was received and showed application in progress on 24th May. The status then went back to documents received a few weeks later. I contacted the passport office who said they had a change to how they classified their statuses so was moved back. No communication to let people know this. We were due to travel on 18th July so after receiving no update on 4th July I contacted my MP who suggested I phone the Passport adviceline to fasttrack the application as it was 2 weeks before we travel. I did this and sent all relevant information however was told I would not be notified if the upgrade was successful or not and would be contacted 2/3 days prior to my travel date if it was successful. Not really helpful. I contacted my MP again a week before travel as they said they could escalate the application then which I did. 2 days later I got a call to say application was approved and they could print it and post it (likely arriving 2 days before travel) or I could travel to my nearest HMP office and pick up next day (290 mile round trip). Choose the 2nd option as I didn’t want to chance it being late. Arrived at passport office and was in and out in 2 mins. Almost 11 weeks of stress for that. I have heard people applying in July and getting it back same month so no idea what happened with our application. I would advise anyone who is having issues to contact their MP to intervene if needed as they were very helpful. Also if you have been waiting 6 weeks for your passport you can ask for an upgrade.
Passport printed 2:52pm on 13 July 2022
Application approved 2:03pm on 13 July 2022
Documents received 1:26pm on 10 May 2022
Application received 9:47pm on 1 May 2022
Identity details received 9:47pm on 1 May 2022
Email sent to person confirming your identity 9:34pm on 1 May 2022
Ask someone to confirm your identity 9:26pm on 1 May 2022
Application submitted 9:26pm on 1 May 2022
1 Week Fast Track Application
Type of Application:
1 Week Fast Track Service
Submission Date:
2022-07-05
Date Received:
2022-07-08
Overall Experience:
Please Rate out of 5
Comments:
Couldn’t be happier and more satisfied with the service. First child passport and it all got turned around in 3 days. The meeting at the passport office lasted less than 5min on Tuesday, by Friday morning the passport got delivered and by Monday the supporting documents were returned. Happy days.
Overseas Passport Application
Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)
Submission Date:
2022-03-25
Date Received:
2022-07-27
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
OMG where do I start – spent many hours on hold, getting cut off and talking to people who had no idea what was happening with my application, got told I was first time applicant many times and my old passport was black or blue, when in fact it was burgundy. Then back to oh no you are a renewal. Requested call backs which were never received and then told we don’t do call backs to International callers. Advised yes you qualify for an expedited service – hmmmm still not done. Asked to speak to processing department, more time on hold and get be patient we are very busy. Emailed MP’s no reply. It took 14 weeks and 6 days before my application was even looked at but will admit once they started it was approved and printed within 7 days, Courier has taken 2 days to collect and it’s due to arrive in New Zealand on 27 July and I fly out on the 26 July!!!!!!!!!! I have pre dated arrival date in the hope that it does finally arrive.
Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)
Submission Date:
2022-03-21
Date Received:
2022-07-16
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Waited well beyond 10 weeks and no advice, just said “documents received” for 3 months. Took three weeks to log the old passport as received after DHL clocked it as delivered. Tried calling the hotline at the 12 week mark, waited 45 minutes on hold, helpful in the end but couldn’t give me any insight, just said pending examiner; tried to forward me to the expediting team but got cut off and gave up. Got an emergency travel document from the UK embassy in Singapore for a trip back to the UK, which was a good process, so at least my trip home on leave was saved.
