Recent UK Passport Applicant Timelines

Overall resonably fast. I felt that the process got stuck from time to time (e.g. the documents did not show as received for ages). Each time this happened, I filled in the online enquiry form to ask what was going and found them very helpful and responsive then. Documents back 20th March 2026 Passport arrived 20th March 2026 Passport printed 19th March 2026 Application approved 18th March 2026 (again, this happened after I enquired) Documents received 9th March 2026 (they were signed for on 4th March, but only showed up in HMPO's system as received on 9th March after I enquired) Identity details received 2nd March 2026 Application submitted 2nd March 2026

25th Feb - Application submitted 2nd March - Documents posted recorded delivery next day 10th March - Documents confirmed received 19th March - Application approved 21st March - Passport received

Application submitted and identity confirmation on 23 February. Documents received on 1 March. Application approved on 10 March. Passport printed on 11 March. Passport arrived on 12 March.

Corby - First UK adult passport. Passport printed 8:27am on 12 March 2026 Application approved 1:38pm on 11 March 2026 Documents received 7:10pm on 2 March 2026 Application received 12:52pm on 27 February 2026 Identity details received 12:52pm on 27 February 2026 Email sent to person confirming your identity 12:38pm on 27 February 2026 Ask someone to confirm your identity 12:33pm on 27 February 2026 Application submitted 12:33pm on 27 February 2026

Application submitted: 18.02.26 Identity confirmed: 19.02.26 Documents RMail signed: 20.02.26 Documents received: 25.02.26 Additional documents requested: 05.03.26 Additional documents RMail signed: 06.03.26 Application approved: 10.03.26 Passport printed: 11.03.26 Passport received: 12.03.26

It was fine but they could communicate much more clearly. Also had to provide proof of residence after the application and I don't understand why this was required

Documents physically received by HMPO on 24Feb but acknowledged received on 27Feb. Application approved on 9Mar, printed on 10Mar, received on 11Mar. Incredible efficiency by the UK civil service! This website should specify exactly what is meant by submission date as it can mean different things: online submission vs documents posted vs post office delivered vs acknowledged received, the 3rd one is the one that makes sense I think but what's important is that everyone is consistent so you should specify what is meant.

They asked for more evidence because my naturalization took place in August last year (2025). I wish they could add this information on their website when you are asked to send your first set of documents.

Documents posted on 20 February 2026 Post Office confirmed delivery 23 February 2026 Documents received (according to the tracking) 12:28pm on 25 February 2026 Application approved 8:26am on 6 March 2026 Passport printed 10:40am on 6 March 2026 Passport received 7 March 2026

Passport delivered on 4 March 2026 Passport printed on 3 March 2026 Application approved on 2 March 2026 Documents received on 20 February 2026 Application received on 13 February 2026 Identity details received on 13 February 2026 Email sent to person confirming your identity on 13 February 2026 Ask someone to confirm your identity on 13 February 2026 Application submitted on 13 February 2026