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How Long Are Passports Currently Taking?
Read timelines from recent UK passport applicants to give you a good idea of how quick passports are being processed.
Feedback, experiences, timelines, tips and useful information from people that have recently been through the UK passport application process. View which passport office has processed the passport and different types of application.
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1st Adult Passport
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Other Timpson
Submission Date:
06-03-2024
Date Received:
11-04-2024
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
I have applied for a first adult passport after obtaining nationality through the “Chagos descent” route.
The application wasn’t moving 7 days after being received, which was unusual as total processing was way quicker based on reports on this website.
I called the Passport advice line, nice courteous advisors who told me that there was nothing to worry about, documents have been received and all was good, just needed to wait a full 3 weeks.
I called back after the 3 weeks mark and the advisors decided to get a call back for me from customer service.
24h later I received the call back from a very nice lady who took the time to explain the whole process and said that in my case, with nationality obtained through the Chagossian descendent route, despite the application already reviewed by an examiner, needed to be checked a second time with a specialised examiner who needs to liaise with UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI). She reassured me that there was, once again, nothing to worry about and it’s just a formality. She was even able to tell me when my application would be reviewed, and right on the date, it was approved, printed and sent.
Despite the longer waiting time, the advisors really reassured me and made it way less stressful.
Supporting document received 12 April 2024
Passport received 11 April 2024
Passport printed 9:37pm on 9 April 2024
Application approved 11:36am on 9 April 2024
Documents received 7:28pm on 11 March 2024
Application received 11:04pm on 6 March 2024
Identity details received 11:04pm on 6 March 2024
Email sent to person confirming your identity 10:39pm on 6 March 2024
Ask someone to confirm your identity 10:36pm on 6 March 2024
Application submitted 10:36pm on 6 March 2024
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Other Photo-shop
Submission Date:
02-04-2024
Date Received:
12-04-2024
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Applied online 2 April
Old passport sent Signed For 3 April (morning)
Royal Mail indicates documents signed for at Hemel around 11 am on 4 April
Tracker shows documents received morning of 7 April
Application approved lunchtime 10 April
Passport printed early morning 11 April
Passport received 12 April
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
05-04-2024
Date Received:
12-04-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very easy process and was kept updated via text and email throughout
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Other Someone else took it for me
Submission Date:
31-03-2024
Date Received:
09-04-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Despite being submitted over the Easter break, my new passport arrived quicker than expected thanks to the easy-to-use online submission process. I also recommend using the Post Office tracking service for next-day delivery.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Photo Method
Other Friend took a photo on my phone, with a photo booth used to provide the background
Submission Date:
02-04-2024
Date Received:
12-04-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
04-04-2024
Date Received:
12-04-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Used a different photo booth (Not Photo-Me)
Submission Date:
09-04-2024
Date Received:
12-04-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Submitted application 1pm on Tuesday, received new passport 1pm on the Friday. Very quick and easy!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Durham
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
01-04-2024
Date Received:
12-04-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
31-03-2024
Date Received:
11-04-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Submitted 31 March 2024 (Easter Sunday)
Application Received 31 March 2024
Old passport posted Tues 2 April
Delivered signed for 11.27 am Weds 3 April
Documents received 11.52pm Thurs 4 April
Application Approved 12.28 pm Mon 8 April
Printed 12.04 am Weds 10 April
New passport arrived Thurs 11 April
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Other Post office took it
Submission Date:
27-03-2024
Date Received:
04-04-2024
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
04-04-2024
Date Received:
13-04-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Submitted my application on the 4th sent my passport off on the 4th. my passport got received by the passport office on the 5th but did not get recognised until later on the 8th. Due to come today the 13th.
Passport due to arrive today between 9/10am 13th April 2024
Passport printed 7:36am on 12 April 2024
Application approved 8:59am on 11 April 2024
Documents received 11:56am on 8 April 2024
Application received 11:47am on 4 April 2024
Application submitted 11:46am on 4 April 2024
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
03-04-2024
Date Received:
13-04-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
08-04-2024
Date Received:
13-04-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Ordered on 8th ,they received my old passport on the 9th and new one delivered On the 13th. Glad I didn’t pay for fast track !
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
06-04-2024
Date Received:
13-04-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Sent my old passport back using next day delivery which made the process quicker I believe.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
04-04-2024
Date Received:
13-04-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Other Max Spielmann
Submission Date:
05-04-2024
Date Received:
13-04-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Fantastic service. From Hemel Hempstead physically receiving the old passport to approving the new one, the process took only three days. The entire process from online application to home delivery of the new passport took eight days including a weekend.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Photo Method
Other Post Office
Submission Date:
30-03-2024
Date Received:
13-04-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Kept updated with texts and emails.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
08-04-2024
Date Received:
13-04-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Other
Submission Date:
01-04-2024
Date Received:
09-04-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone Used a
Submission Date:
06-04-2024
Date Received:
13-04-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
01-04-2024
Date Received:
11-04-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
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1st Child Passport
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
03-04-2024
Date Received:
13-04-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Other
Submission Date:
26-03-2024
Date Received:
10-04-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Application submitted – 26 March 2024
Application received – 27 March
Documents received – 4 April 2024
Application approved – 6 April 2024
Passport printed – 9 April 2024
Passport received – 10 April 2024
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
04-04-2024
Date Received:
13-04-2024
Child Renewal
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
02-04-2024
Date Received:
11-04-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Excellent service
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
01-11-2023
Date Received:
09-04-2024
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
London
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
12-04-2024
Date Received:
12-04-2024
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Very easy page and i am so happy using such easily page thanks
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
02-04-2024
Date Received:
12-04-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
1 Week Fast Track Application
Type of Application:
1 Week Fast Track Service
Passport Office:
London
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
25-03-2024
Date Received:
27-03-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
British National (Overseas) passport.
Completed interview on Monday 25 March noon. Approved 25 March afternoon. Printed 26 March morning. Received from Royal Mail 27 March noon.
Type of Application:
1 Week Fast Track Service
Passport Office:
Newport
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
20-03-2024
Date Received:
27-03-2024
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Keen to share our experience of getting a CHILD renewal one week fast track to help others. Please note that for safeguarding reasons HM Passport Office will keep on hold a child’s applications for 5 working days. Therefore it is highly unlikely you will receive the passport before the 7 day deadline (unless your appointment was first thing on a Monday). We received ours back on the 7th day, but not before the 9.30am deadline, which they have apologised for.
There are many good news stories of quick(er) turnarounds for fast track but I don’t believe this is possible for a Child’s fast track renewal.
Application for appointment made on 19th March
Interview in Newport (child not required to attend) 09.30 20th March
No update at all until Monday 25th March – approved and sent for printing
Received notification on Tuesday 26th that it had been sent to delivery partner. Then later received notification for delivery on Wednesday 27th between 10.30 and 14.30.
The Royal Mail were fantastically helpful at holding the passport for me at their local sorting office so I could collect in the end at 08.00.
I have written feedback to HM Passport Office as believe they should be clear on this 5 working day safeguarding hold for children. This wasn’t communicated and staff on the phone were not aware of it, I was given different information on the phone a few times and it was a stressful experience.
Overseas Passport Application
Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
25-03-2024
Date Received:
09-04-2024
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
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