Recent UK Passport Applicant Timelines

We had a delay in the offices receiving our passports as it was the bank holiday weekend so couldn’t actually be posted until the 6th May. Documents were confirmed as received on the 7th May. Application approved on 13 May, printed 14 May and delivered on the 15th.

Although I provided all relevant information with my initial application, I had to send 3 lots of documents and a letter costing about $50 each time. My photo was also accepted, then rejected, rejected again and finally accepted once I changed into a plain colour top. My interactions with webchat were also stressful.

March 18th docs submitted but then realized I had to get a new Canadian Passport (even though mine was only 3 months old) as I had no middle name on my Canadian passport so it did not match my birth certificate. I actually mailed my documents on April 20th, arrived 24th by Canadian registered post and accepted on April 28th. Approved May 11th. I had to register as new as my old passport (which I had lost but did have a copy) was issued by Ottawa High Commission. They kept no record of the passport numbers. Considering how many hoops some go through I was quite pleased with the speed and was not required to send any extra documents

04.05 - Application Submitted 05.05 - Sent Documents (Daughters birth certificate & my birth certificate) 08.05 - Documents Received 15.05 - Application Approved 15.05 - Passport printed (Late Friday) 19.05 - Passport received

-Application submitted on 13th May 26 -Posted my old passport 14th May 26 next day first class tracked delivery. -Marked as received 15th May 26 -Application approved 16th May 26 -Passport printed 18th May 26 -Passport Received 19th May 26

Very easy , very quick

Got caught out with the 3 month EU rule and had a trip planned for the 27th May so stressful but my own fault. Chose the standard track but by Saturday morning thought that would be a mistake. I called the helpline and even though I hadn't sent my passport off yet you cannot change tracks. You would need to cancel first then select a different track. If you cancel you lose your £102 but also cancellation is not instant - the advice was that a human needs to review the cancellation which can take anywhere between 2 days and 4 weeks. So stayed in my lane... fortunately it worked out. If you are reading this and work in the Corby office, a big thank you to you. Passport delivered 12.00pm on 20 May 2026 Passport printed 5:02am on 19 May 2026 Application approved 12:09pm on 18 May 2026 Documents received 3:25pm on 11 May 2026 Application received 6:09pm on 08 May 2026 Application submitted 6:08pm on 08 May 2026

Tracking States Delivery Tomorrow 21 May Passport printed 8:42am on 20 May 2026 Application approved 10:21pm on 19 May 2026 Documents received 10:21pm on 19 May 2026 Application received 3:52pm on 16 May 2026 Old passport sent special delivery 16th May 2026 Application submitted 3:51pm on 16 May 2026

Received 21/5/26 Passport printed 8:26am on 20 May 2026 Application approved 2:21pm on 19 May 2026 Documents received 7:08pm on 12 May 2026 Application received 1:10pm on 10 May 2026 Application submitted 1:09pm on 10 May 2026

Received 21/5/26 Passport printed 8:24am on 20 May 2026 Application approved 1:28pm on 19 May 2026 Documents received 5:58pm on 12 May 2026 Application received 12:48pm on 10 May 2026 Application submitted 12:48pm on 10 May 2026

Passport printed 1:43pm on 18 May 2026 Application approved 12:17pm on 16 May 2026 Documents received 10:14pm on 8 May 2026 Application received 5:21pm on 6 May 2026 Identity details received 5:21pm on 6 May 2026 Email sent to person confirming your identity 4:30pm on 6 May 2026 Ask someone to confirm your identity 4:23pm on 6 May 2026 Application submitted 4:23pm on 6 May 2026

Very fast, easy process. Sent all documents for 3 first child passports together in one envelope. Documents being returned the day after receiving passports.

Submission: 30th April Documents Recieved: 5th May Approved: 19th May Printed: 20th May Delivered: 21st May

Submitted 1 may . Documents arrived with them 6 May , but didn't upload onto the system until 8 May. Application approved 16 May , received 20 May. 12 days from docs received to being in hand.

Stressful because I have 3 children who are suddenly dual nationals, documents needed sworn translations and overall cost was over 650€. More if you add on the ETAs we paid for in December which became obsolete

Completed online form and sent back old passport on Monday - passport office confirmed receipt on Wednesday. Passport approved, printed and dispatced Thursday, delivered Friday. I did not pay for the fast track service - this was the standard service.

I applied as a first-time applicant, as my previous passport had expired over 20 years ago. The most stressful part of the process was the supporting document requirements. About a week after submitting my initial documents, I received a letter requesting my full birth certificate (which I had already sent), the passport used to travel to my country of residence, and a written explanation of why I was not applying in my country of birth. I called HM Passport Office to let them know the birth certificate had already been submitted, and they noted it on my file. A week later, I received another letter advising that my birth certificate was not accepted: it was a consular birth certificate, and they required one issued from my place of birth. I obtained a certified English translation of that document and submitted both together. My application was approved approximately a week after that. In total, I spent ~$266 in international courier fees across three separate document submissions via DHL.

Application history Passport delivered on 22nd May 2026 Passport printed 10:59am on 21 May 2026 Application approved 8:43am on 21 May 2026 Documents received 10:17am on 14 May 2026 Document delivered and signed for on 8th May Document sent via RM on 7th May Application received 7:28am on 6 May 2026 Application submitted 7:27am on 6 May 2026

Submitted original CND passport and original registration certificate as required with application. No additional documents requested. Still waiting for return of docs. Passport in hand 11:30am on 22 May 2026 Passport printed 8:42am on 19 May 2026 Application approved 9:51am on 18 May 2026 Documents received 1:06pm on 6 May 2026 Documents received per courier 11:20 am on 28 April 2026 Application received 12:27pm on 22 April 2026 Identity details received 12:27pm on 22 April 2026 Email sent to person confirming your identity 10:53pm on 20 April 2026 Ask someone to confirm your identity 10:50pm on 20 April 2026 Application submitted 10:50pm on 20 April 2026