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.
1st Adult Passport
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
26-09-2025
Date Received:
21-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
09-10-2025
Date Received:
21-10-2025
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
06-10-2025
Date Received:
22-10-2025
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Passport delivered 22 October 2025
Passport printed 20 October 2025
Application approved 17 October 2025
Documents received 10 October 2025
Application submitted 6 October 2025
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
09-10-2025
Date Received:
21-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very easy to follow up on the passport tracking website. It was all faster than I expected and all very smooth. Managed to have the new passport and the supporting documents at the same time. Unique annoying thing: I sent documents in a hard backed envelope and they sent it back in a normal envelope. Which means my PhD letter and my Citizenship letter came back all ruined.
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a different photo booth (Not Photo-Me)
Submission Date:
14-10-2025
Date Received:
24-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
13-10-2025
Date Received:
25-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Identity details received at 9:47am on 13 October 2025
Application received at 9:47am on 13 October 2025
Documents received at 9:29am on 16 October 2025
Application approved at 10:16am on 23 October 2025
Passport printed at 5:08pm on 23 October 2025
* Initial evidence signed by DHU at 8:18am on 14 October
* Initial evidence scanned by DHU at 9:26am on 16 October
* Further evidence requested by Examiner at 10:38am on 21 October
* Further evidence signed by DHU at 7:43am on 22 October
This is quite fast, given there was 1 additional request for evidence.
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Other Studio
Submission Date:
16-10-2025
Date Received:
24-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Other Studio
Submission Date:
16-10-2025
Date Received:
29-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Documents were delivered to HMPO on October 21 ( Royal Mail tracking). We called the next day to confirm whether they received it, and we were told that the website would get updated only after scanning the documents.
Timeline:
Application Submitted: October 16
Application Received: October 16
Document Received: October 23
Application approved: October 27
Passport Printed: October 28
Received new passport and the original documents in separate posts on 29th October.
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Used a different photo booth (Not Photo-Me)
Submission Date:
30-09-2025
Date Received:
15-10-2025
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Other Photo shop
Submission Date:
22-10-2025
Date Received:
31-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
28-09-2025
Date Received:
25-10-2025
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
They took the whole 3 weeks from the time they registered receipt. “Documents received” status was registered 2 days after delivery receipt from Royal Mail. I contacted them once by chat, and they confirmed that they had the documents and said I just needed to wait.
Supporting docs returned 28 October 2025
Passport received 25 October 2025
Passport printed 23 October 2025
Application approved 23 October 2025
Documents received 2 October 2025
Application received 29 September 2025
Identity details received. 29 September 2025
Application submitted. 28 September 2025
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Other Timpsons
Submission Date:
23-10-2025
Date Received:
01-11-2025
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Made sure to follow all guidelines and used special delivery + paid the small extra fee for tracking on both passport and documents. Still waiting for the supporting documents. The process is fairly straight forward but would have liked to be able to save and return to my application. Overall good and fast
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
28-10-2025
Date Received:
03-11-2025
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
23-02-2025
Date Received:
24-07-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
It took time as my photo was rejected and had send new one and get some paperwork I needed
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Other Max Spielman (with inappropriate code)
Submission Date:
26-10-2025
Date Received:
31-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Online application made 26 Oct;
Old passport sent 27 Oct;
Receipt acknowledged 28 Oct;
Approved and printed 29 Oct;
New passport despatched 30 Oct;
New passport received 31 Oct;
Old passport received 3 Nov.
A very simple and straightforward process which was much quicker than I anticipated,
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
31-10-2025
Date Received:
04-11-2025
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:
22-10-2025
Date Received:
29-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Applied at 7pm, sent my existing Passport via Royal Mail 24 Tracked the next day and it was received the following day which was a Friday. Notification on the Monday late afternoon it was being printed. Sent on the Tuesday and I received it on the Wednesday. Very straightforward.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
25-09-2025
Date Received:
06-10-2025
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:
19-10-2025
Date Received:
08-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
***Applied from abroad (Spain)***
Applied on October 19th (Sunday)
Documents sent with DHL Express on October 20th
Documents received on October 21st.
Appears as Received on October 22th
Application Approved on October 24th (Friday)
Passport Printed on October 27th (Monday)
Passport delivered to me on October 28th (Tuesday)
This is less than 7 working days to receive my passport!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Other Timpsons Passport photo service
Submission Date:
23-10-2025
Date Received:
01-11-2025
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Passport printed 5:26pm on 30 October 2025
Application approved 10:17am on 30 October 2025
Documents received 12:45pm on 28 October 2025
Application received 11:27am on 23 October 2025
Application submitted 11:27am on 23 October 2025
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
23-10-2025
Date Received:
30-10-2025
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:
23-10-2025
Date Received:
30-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Application history
Passport printed 9:42pm on 28 October 2025
Application approved 12:32pm on 28 October 2025
New photo received 12:30pm on 28 October 2025
Photo rejected 12:25pm on 28 October 2025
Documents received 12:53pm on 27 October 2025
Application received 3:06pm on 23 October 2025
Application submitted 3:06pm on 23 October 2025
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Other Local print store
Submission Date:
12-08-2025
Date Received:
31-10-2025
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
My passport renewal took longer than most! Wish I would’ve been told earlier what exactly the problem is with my renewal to save time and stress
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
27-10-2025
Date Received:
31-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
So impressed! Very quick and easy. Did pay for signed tracked delivery which got there next day but received good updates throughout.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
08-10-2025
Date Received:
29-10-2025
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Travel was booked for 31st, I sent my passport application on 8th October which in hindsight I should have done much earlier, I was very stressed out (my own fault) and every time I phoned they told me to just wait, of course this is easier said than done and after many sleepless nights I finally received my passport today 3 weeks to the day, 2 days before travel.
Passport printed 11:04am on 28 October 2025
Application approved 7:02am on 28 October 2025
Documents received 7:38pm on 10 October 2025
Application received 12:21am on 8 October 2025
Application submitted 12:21am on 8 October 2025
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
23-10-2025
Date Received:
29-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
07-10-2025
Date Received:
23-10-2025
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
16-10-2025
Date Received:
24-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Really good experience expected at least 3-4 week wait but only 6 working days
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a different photo booth (Not Photo-Me)
Submission Date:
20-10-2025
Date Received:
24-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Online Application Submitted: 20-10-25 @ 13:14hrs
Old Passport Posted: 20-10-25 @ 14:19hrs
Old Passport Delivered: 21-10-25 @ 07:47hrs
Old Passport Delivery Acknowledged: 21-10-25 @ 17:45hrs
New Passport Approved: 22-10-25 @ 04:30hrs
New Passport Printed: 22-10-25 @ 18:36hrs
New Passport Dispatched: 23-10-25 @ 09:08hrs
New Passport Delivered to Scotland: 24-10-25 @ 12:12hrs
Total Timescale: 3days, 22hrs, 58minutes
EXCELLENT SERVICE from Passport Office and Post Office.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Used a different photo booth (Not Photo-Me)
Submission Date:
13-10-2025
Date Received:
22-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
3 Applications total including 2 children
Wed 13 Oct – App Submitted
Thu 14 Oct – Posted old pp back next day delivery
Friday 15 Oct – Received the old pp
Mon 20 Oct – Approved
Tue 21 Oct – Printed
Wed 22 Oct – Received 2 PP
Thu 23 Oct – Received final one
Total 9 Days for. 3 applicants. Very impressive.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
17-10-2025
Date Received:
23-10-2025
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:
10-10-2025
Date Received:
22-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very happy with turnaround times!
Passport delivered on 22 Oct
Passport printed on 21 Oct
Application approved on 20 Oct
Documents received on 17 Oct
Application received on 10 Oct
Application submitted on 10 Oct
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Other
Submission Date:
13-10-2025
Date Received:
22-10-2025
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:
12-10-2025
Date Received:
22-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Application was submitted online on a Sunday. I didn’t manage to post my old passport off until Weds 15th Oct.
New passport was delivered only 8 days after I posted off my old passport. Much speedier than expected, no issues.
Application history
Passport printed 9:17am on 21 October 2025
Application approved 12:51pm on 20 October 2025
Documents received 5:11pm on 16 October 2025
Application received 12:52pm on 12 October 2025
Application submitted 12:51pm on 12 October 2025
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
15-10-2025
Date Received:
22-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
28-10-2025
Date Received:
04-11-2025
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 different photo booth (Not Photo-Me)
Submission Date:
27-10-2025
Date Received:
31-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
It took just a couple of minutes to complete the application, and an email was then sent to the person confirming my identity. They completed this straight away, I received an email 2 days later advising my application was approved, a further email the next day advising it was being printed, and I received it the next day. So in summary – application submitted on Monday, passport delivered on Friday. Remarkably quick and easy process.
1st Child Passport
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
London
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
17-04-2025
Date Received:
04-11-2025
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
08-10-2025
Date Received:
23-10-2025
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
19-09-2025
Date Received:
13-10-2025
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Child Renewal
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
26-10-2025
Date Received:
04-11-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
I found the process very simple and easy to follow, before you start application ensure you have all the supporting documents ready and required information to confirm identity. It took me only 5 mins to submit my kids application. Photo quality evaluation is a good feature that confirms the probability of acceptance of photo if taken with your device.
Here is my timelines
Passport Delivered 04 November 2025
Passport printed 10:49am on 03 November 2025
Application approved 10:30pm on 31 October 2025
Documents received 5:56pm on 28 October 2025
Application received 11:00pm on 26 October 2025
Identity details received 11:00pm on 26 October 2025
Email sent to person confirming your identity 10:47pm on 26 October 2025
Ask someone to confirm your identity 10:30pm on 26 October 2025
Application submitted 10:30pm on 26 October 2025
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
18-10-2025
Date Received:
28-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Peterborough
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
12-10-2025
Date Received:
21-10-2025
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
1 Week Fast Track Application
Type of Application:
1 Week Fast Track Service
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
08-10-2025
Date Received:
15-10-2025
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Type of Application:
1 Week Fast Track Service
Passport Office:
London
Photo Method
Other Snappy Snaps
Submission Date:
21-10-2025
Date Received:
23-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Used 1 week fast track service for UK adult passport renewal. Was able to get interview in London HM Passport office within 2 days. Passport approved onsite, printed same day and then dispatched with Royal Mail. Received within 2 days of submission.
Overseas Passport Application
Type of Application:
First UK Passport (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Other Professional photo studio photo
Submission Date:
29-09-2025
Date Received:
20-10-2025
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
The HMPO kept asking for additional documents and I had to keep contacting them to get status updates.
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.