Recent UK Passport Applicant Timelines

Such a frustrating process. Not being able to talk to a human at HMPO made it worse. The best thing that happened was a lovely lady from HMPO gave me a call one night and we had a good conversation but that was a long time after I applied. They really need to look at their operational policies. So much of what was requested was unnecessary, illogical and their rejection of official documents was ridiculous, while placing more value on non-official supporting documents, some of which didn't exist. Expecting a person to have school reports, medical records from several decades ago is just crazy. I had to send three lots of docs to the UK at a huge expense. All up this cost me about $600. HMPO need to get much better at comms. Tell apicants what to send upfront instead of drawing out the process with multiple requests, causing significant delays, ever increasing costs for the applicant and a huge amount of stress. So much could be ironed out in a phone call at the start of the process. Yes there needs to be integrity in the passport process but there are many other ways in which to operate. Sending constant automated emails which can be intimidating is not good, especially when you're in a different part of the world and do not have the same accessibility to government services.

Passport printed 1:38pm on 17 August 2026 Application approved 9:20am on 17 August 2026 Documents received 3:33pm on 7 August 2026 Application received 4:29pm on 6 August 2026 Application submitted 4:28pm on 6 August 2026

They rejected 2 identity checks despite meeting the criteria for no given reason. After having the passport for more than a month they then asked for written permission from the other parent. Made official complaint on how it was handled and time frame.

I sent in all documents including parents birth and marriage certificates. I am applying from Canada abd it says to submit my birth certicare with parents information. I submitted my BC with my parents names, but it isn't a long form which I read about afterwards. The first article i read didnt say long forn, it only saud including parents info. I am so hoping this is enough. I also submitted my Canadian passport.

Submitted on 10th August Documents Received and Acknowledged 12th August Approved and Printed 20th August Received 27th August

Applied 12/08 Identity confirmed 12/08 Documents received 18/08 Approved 25/08 Printed 26/08 Received 27/08

Applied 12/08 Documents received 18/08 Approved 25/08 Printed 26/08 Received 27/08

It was straightforward and the availability of tracking made it easy to monitor progress

Application submitted – 7:38pm, 13 August 2026 2. Application received – 7:38pm, 13 August 2026 3. Documents received – 8:51pm, 17 August 2026 4. Application approved – 9:20am, 25 August 2026 5. Passport printed – 1:31pm, 25 August 2026 6. Old and new passports received – 27 August 2026 (today)

interview (using Teams) was a breeze.. very friendly interviewer. was easier than expected

Application approved 1:23pm on 27 August 2026 Documents received 3:04pm on 20 August 2026 Application received 3:59pm on 17 August 2026 Application submitted 3:59pm on 17 August 2026

Amazing service

Straightforward process - 8 days from documents received to approval. Printed the same day as approved and received 2 days later. Appreciate this website and the support of the Facebook group.

Old passport sent by recorded delivery on 08/08/26, delivered to passport office on 14/08/26. Nothing changed on application history for 10 days, then it was approved and printed on same day, it seems it was sent on 26/08/26 and I received it by DHL on 27/08/26