View Previous Post
View Next Post
Whether you’re eagerly waiting for your passport or planning to apply soon, this page offers valuable insights from others who have gone through the process.
How This Page Works
Every day, applicants like you share their passport application experiences on our site. They provide:
- Application Date: When they submitted their passport application.
- Receipt Date: When they received their new passport.
- Photo Method: How they obtained their passport photo (e.g., at home, pharmacy, professional service).
- Processing Office: The passport office or centre that handled their application so you can check to see how quick the agency you have been assigned is processing passports.
Additionally, applicants often share helpful tips and observations that can assist you in managing your application or understanding current processing trends.
Stay Informed
Monitor the latest wait times and gain a realistic expectation for when your passport might arrive based on real-world data. Knowing what to expect can ease anxieties and assist in planning your travels.
Compare Processing Times
See how different agencies and photo methods impact processing speeds. This can help you choose the best options to potentially reduce your wait time.
Learn from Others
Benefit from the experiences of fellow applicants. Many share crucial advice, like which agencies are processing faster or tips for avoiding common pitfalls.
Share Your Experience
Help us keep this page accurate and useful by submitting your own passport wait time once you receive your passport. Your contribution will assist others and contribute to a clearer picture of the current processing landscape.
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
14-04-2025
Date Received:
23-04-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Excellent service. I had to speak to the contact centre several times & they were always very helpful.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
09-04-2025
Date Received:
24-04-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
I didn’t send my old passport until sat 12th April, which was received Tuesday 15th. It was then Easter bank holidays I received confirmation on Tuesday 22nd that my application had been approved and that my passport was being printed.
Turn around would have been 1 week if I had sent my passport back timely and it wasn’t a double bank holiday
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
06-04-2025
Date Received:
23-04-2025
Overall Experience:
Please Rate out of 5
Comments:
I wish I’d sent old passport next day delivery instead of standard as it took 9 days from application to receive it.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
13-04-2025
Date Received:
25-04-2025
Overall Experience:
Please Rate out of 5
Comments:
13th April – application
14th April – sent old passport
17th April – confirmation of old passport received
23rd April – new passport approved
24th April – new passport printed and shipped
25th April – delivered
All in all took 11 days and that included the 2 bank holidays Good Friday and Easter Monday. Very impressed.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
07-04-2025
Date Received:
25-04-2025
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
I had to send an additional document after already sending my old passport and deed poll (for change of name), but the ‘documents received’ update only happened the first time. The second time there was no update and I had to use the live chat to confirm the additional document was received. Once the additional evidence was received on 22 April 2025, passport was approved next day 23 April 2025, and received 25 April 2025.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Other Took it myself with Digital Camera
Submission Date:
04-04-2025
Date Received:
26-04-2025
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
Renewal of Passport, but also changed name via deed poll (only rearranged middle names), so had to send in documents verifying this. The waiting process is meant to begin once they receive these, not when I originally submitted.
3 stars, partially because I cut it too close so it was stressful (needed passport for 6th May). But also because of confusion as documented below.
OFFICIAL TIMELINE (via Application Tracker):
Application submitted 8:13pm on 4 April 2025
Application received 8:14pm on 4 April 2025
Documents received 4:40pm on 17 April 2025
Application approved 10:38am on 24 April 2025
Passport printed 9:19pm on 25 April 2025
ACTUAL & FULL TIMELINE (based on continued correspondence):
2025/04/04 Fri 20:13 Application submitted online
2025/04/07 M 16:45 Sent documents by Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm (last delivery was 18:00)
2025/04/10 Th 11:47 Documents delivered and signed for by Passport Office
2025/04/17 Th 16:47 Application Tracker hadn’t updated, so inquire on webchat. They confirm they have the documents, but they haven’t been linked to the application – even though this should’ve happened within 48 hours of receiving them.
2024/04/17 Th 17:11 They manually (retroactively) update the Tracker, despite the documents still not being scanned on yet
2025/04/18 Fri Good Friday Bank Holiday (i.e. no work)
2025/04/21 M Easter Monday Bank Holiday
2025/04/22 Tu 14:59 Documents are linked to the application. Application enters the examination queue
2025/04/24 Th 10:38 Application approved
2025/04/25 Fri 08:25 Passport printed
2025/04/26 Sa 12:43 Passport delivered
So slightly over 2 weeks from when they received the documents, despite two Bank Holidays. Great time, but very stressful when things appear to not be going to schedule!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
18-04-2025
Date Received:
25-04-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Has this website has been helpful..?
If so, and you would like to say thanks you can do in the following ways.
Buy your holiday essentials on Amazon via the button.
If you visit Amazon via the button below and make a purchase we receive a small commission.
Or, if you prefer, feel free to buy us a coffee if you have found this helpful.
Lost or Stolen Passport Application
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
18-04-2025
Date Received:
26-04-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
1st Child Passport
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
08-04-2025
Date Received:
25-04-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
14-04-2025
Date Received:
25-04-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Child Renewal
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
09-04-2025
Date Received:
23-04-2025
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
14-04-2025
Date Received:
23-04-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
13-04-2025
Date Received:
25-04-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
It would’ve been quicker but I entered my daughters DOB incorrectly.
View Previous Post
View Next Post
We have a very small favour to ask………….
We really hope this information is helpful to you and reduces stress whilst you are waiting for you passport. If you are able to make a small donation for the cost of a coffee it really helps us to maintain the site and continue to make improvements for future passport applicants.