Recent UK Passport Applicant Timelines

Passport office couldn't find old passport which was a little stressful as they had to raise investigation, said delivered on 20th but they had to locate it. Also they said old passport was damaged so I had to send in a letter to explain why (can only suggest damaged in transit). However still all in all 3 week turnaround time which was good, I was on the ball though. Passport printed 1:49pm on 5 June 2026 Application approved 10:44am on 5 June 2026 Documents received 8:34am on 27 May 2026 Application received 8:49am on 19 May 2026 Application submitted 8:48am on 19 May 2026

What made it less than 5 stars is that they asked me to send a second batch of documents in to explain how I got from the United Kingdom (where I was born) to the United States (where I now live) while being a Canadian citizen and passport holder. That request seemed a bit gratuitous and nosey since I had sent them the original of my long-form birth certificate.

Simple enough, Got daughter to take photo on her phone of myself so saved spending money at a booth. Documents sent off same day to Corby and delivered on the 1st June. Application Accepted on 8th printed on 9th and received today (10th June)

Quick and easy, my passport was received on the 1st and printed on the 8th

Dual national - original passports sent Docs received 02 June Application approved 08 June

Passport printed 5:48am on 8 June 2026 Application approved 10:05am on 6 June 2026 Documents received 8:19am on 1 June 2026 Application received 3:46pm on 24 May 2026 Application submitted 3:45pm on 24 May 2026

I had advised in my application I had been known as another name (had been married then divorced so reverted back to maiden name) they had not asked for any additional information regarding this I so supplied my birth certificate my mothers birth certificate and copy of passport pages as that was all that was needed. I get notified that I needed to supply details about my name change so I supplied marriage certificate and divorce order and letter from my employer and copy of my bank statement showing my maiden name is used. I was then asked to supply a handwritten letter stating I used my maiden name for all purposes (expensive $40 aud piece of paper that needed to be sent) within a few days application was approved and passport has been received. 9 weeks in total not too bad for the extra documents.

Hemel Hempstead scanned the old passport on 15 May. Approved 22 May Printed 26 May Received 27May

Passport Delivered: 1:40pm on 29th May 2026 (Friday) Passport printed 7:01pm on 27 May 2026 (Wednesday) Application approved 10:47am on 27 May 2026 (Wednesday) Documents received 8:42pm on 19 May 2026 (Tuesday) Application received 7:39pm on 17 May 2026 (Sunday) Application submitted 7:38pm on 17 May 2026 (Sunday)

Passport printed 3:24am on 28 May 2026 Application approved 2:39pm on 27 May 2026 Form confirming identity received 9:01pm on 19 May 2026 Identity details received 9:01pm on 19 May 2026 Email sent to person confirming your identity 7:05pm on 19 May 2026 Ask someone to confirm your identity 6:47pm on 19 May 2026 Application submitted 6:47pm on 19 May 2026

Received both new passport and original passport in separate envelope - 29 May 2026 Royal Mail received parcel 28 May 2026 Passport printed 27 May 2026 Application approved 27 May 2026 Documents received 20 May 2026 Royal Mail record signing record that HMPO received 15 May 2026 Deliver to Post Office 13 May 2026 Application received 13 May 2026 Application submitted 13 May 2026

No wait at the post office for them to fill in the form and submit my application and take my photograph. Well informed via passport tracking app, took 15 days, including delay for bank holiday. ( I had a six week window before summer holidays so very pleased with Post Office service)

Application submitted 13th May 26 Documents Received 15th May 26 Application Approved 22nd May 26 Passport Printed 22nd May 26 Passport Delivered 27th May 26 (I suspect it would have arrived a day earlier if it weren't for bank holiday Monday on the 25th May)

Very straightforward process for me. Used photobooth Me to ensure no delays. From the office receiving my passport (18th May) to approval was 8 days (including weekends and BH Monday) printed the next day and posted the day after.

Passport printed 8:25am on 27 May 2026 Application approved 9:05am on 25 May 2026 Documents received 12:54pm on 18 May 2026 Application received 10:00pm on 9 May 2026 Identity details received 10:00pm on 9 May 2026 Email sent to person confirming your identity 9:53pm on 9 May 2026 Ask someone to confirm your identity 9:48pm on 9 May 2026 Application submitted 9:48pm on 9 May 2026

Passport printed 10:12am on 15 May 2026 Application approved 7:21am on 15 May 2026 Documents received 10:09am on 2 May 2026 Application received 3:51pm on 28 April 2026 Application submitted 3:51pm on 28 April 2026

February, 2026 applied from England - not completed before I had to leave March - Online application from Canada Sent birth certificate and latest marriage certificate Proof of name change requested. Sent divorce papers (decree absolute) because I did not have marriage certificate. PO kept insisting on marriage certificate even though last marriage certificate stated "previous marriage dissolved" Paid 50 pounds for overnight delivery of marriage certificate from Registry Office to Corby Saturday May 16th, Delivery attempted - not accepted. Later found out Corby does not receive documents on Saturdays Monday, May 18th, Delivery accepted May 19th 8:30 am Application accepted 10:30 am Passport printed and out for delivery May 25th Passport received

Terrible experience. Came to Aust in 1980. UK passport expired in 1999. Had to apply for long birth certificate as extract not accepted. Then asked for documents from when expired UK passport was issued. Had sent expired passport in so didn't know when issued. Assuming 10 years so needed docs (tax, government, medical, school) from before 1989. I didnt have any. Then wrote letter explaining that. Was asked via email for my email address. Was asked via email for mailing address. Was told can't find application. Then told to send in original birth extract originally rejected. Then finally approved. So stressful. Took over 3 months.

In the end the wait time was good. However I was asked to provide extra information. I tried to find out everything I would need but wasn’t given a clear answer so I sent a heap of extra document's just in case. However my passport was approved anyway just after I had posted off the extra information. I wasted $40 in postage for nothing.as i received my passport just as the documents arrived in the uk.

I did use a passport agent as I misplaced my UK passport which expired in early 90s . As a result I had to courier a letter advising details of the expired passport and reason for misplacement . There were delays as my original passport was an old blue one issued in early 80s and records no longer accessible on old system. As a result I had to courier my original birth certificate. Passport staff helpful when queries arose . It was difficult to start as no one to call in HMPO prior to submission. Agent good in providing advice via email .. Appreciated efficient courier service DHL for new passport and return of documents