Recent UK Passport Applicant Timelines

My passport was received on 16/02/2026. I was then emailed a week later (23/02/2026) that there was water damage on the passport, and I would have to send a supporting letter explaining it. This letter was delivered on 24/02/2026. It was then approved on the 2nd (a week later), and I received my new passport on the 4th. Despite it seeming like a while, the water damage/letter did not cause any serious delay (I was worried it would), so I am happy with this experience.

Submitted 14 Feb Royal Mail tracked as delivered 16 Feb Marked as received 20 Feb Authorised 27 Feb Printed 27 Feb Sent to Royal Mail 2 March Received 3 March We’d checked times on this site and had hoped to receive quicker as we had pending travel but it took longer than the average listed times. I understand changing regulations for expats has meant a lot of additional applications which is slowing things down. We wish we had fast tracked as it was stressful.

Quick and easy. Was kept up to date with progress via text messages Total time: 8 working days from them receiving my old passport to me receiving my new one!! Application submitted 9:08pm on 18 February 2026 Application received 9:09pm on 18 February 2026 Documents received 3:56pm on 20 February 2026 Application approved 7:55am on 2 March 2026 Passport printed 7:54am on 3 March 2026 Passport recieved 9:43am on 4 March 2026

Application started and old passport sent Saturday 14/02 Old passport arrived Tuesday 17/02 12:33 (RM T&T) Confirmed documents received at 23:51 17/02 Application approved 13:02 25/02 Passport printed 21:17 25/02 Passport received 11:52 27/02

Passport arrived much quicker than expected. Cannot fault the service

Passport printed 9:44pm on 24 February 2026 Application approved 12:25pm on 24 February 2026 Documents received 8:55am on 17 February 2026 Application received 5:04pm on 11 February 2026 Application submitted 5:03pm on 11 February 2026

Super fast and efficient .. called the office a couple of times with wires and the staff were really friendly and helpful

19th Feb - Application for renewal 20th Feb - Old passport sent via special delivery 23rd Feb - Passport received at office 24th Feb - Passport approved and printed 25th Feb - New passport delivered Applied online, paid for standard renewal no fast track.

Used photo booth in nearby supermarket to get code, submitted with application online on Friday and sent old passport same day. Passport received at HMPO on Monday, approved printed and dispatched on Tuesday, received by me on Wednesday. Excellent communication every step of the way by SMS and email. Very happy with the service. Could not have been faster.

Ordered 19th and will be delivered the 25th feb

Took 3 days from them receiving documents to show as received on timeline

Quick efficient service

Submitted online Friday 6th Feb, sent documents including marriage certificate to change surname sat 7th, got took by Royal Mail sat 7th Feb. Documents arrived Monday 9th Feb. Didn’t mark down on passport tracker as received until Thursday 12th Feb, application approved 7 days later, Thursday 19th Feb 11am. Passport printed Thursday 19th Feb 8pm. Friday 20th Feb Royal Mail tracking text received 10am to say passport will be delivered the following day, Saturday 21st Feb between 8 and 10am. Passport received Saturday 21st Feb around 8:30am.