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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:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
22-09-2025
Date Received:
03-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Durham
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
12-09-2025
Date Received:
23-09-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
02-09-2025
Date Received:
04-10-2025
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
18-09-2025
Date Received:
02-10-2025
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:
18-09-2025
Date Received:
01-10-2025
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:
30-08-2025
Date Received:
11-09-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Application history:
Passport printed 1:34am on 10 September 2025
Application approved 8:23am on 9 September 2025
Documents received 9:03pm on 1 September 2025
Application received 10:09am on 30 August 2025
Application submitted 10:09am on 30 August 2025
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
23-09-2025
Date Received:
03-10-2025
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Sent on 22 September by RM
Special Delivery.
Received 1 day later, but not checked in on HMPO tracking for 1 further day.
Initial photograph rejected 1 week after being checked in by HMPO. I submitted a new photo online and this was authorised in minutes, passport received 2 days after.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
20-09-2025
Date Received:
02-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Application submitted: 2:48pm on 20 September 2025
Application received: 2:48pm on 20 September 2025
Documents delivered: 10:33am on 23 September 2025 [per Royal Mail]
Documents received: 12:49pm on 24 September 2025
Application approved: 1:50pm on 30 September 2025
Passport printed: 10:52pm on 1 October 2025
Passport delivered: 1:06pm on 2 October 2025 [per Royal Mail]
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
19-09-2025
Date Received:
01-10-2025
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Used phone to take picture. Despite no shadows or issues, the system said my picture was unlikely to be accepted. It advised me to remove my glasses and take a further picture. I wasn’t wearing glasses so submitted anyway and got my passport without any issues.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Used a Photo-Me photo booth
Submission Date:
19-09-2025
Date Received:
01-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Smooth and straightforward. Submitted application and paid. No issues despite name change 15 years ago and no changes on renewal as old passport had current name.
Passport printed 7:01am on 30 September 2025
Application approved 12:33pm on 29 September 2025
Documents received 9:12pm on 22 September 2025
Application received 9:51pm on 19 September 2025
Application submitted 9:50pm on 19 September 2025
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
03-10-2025
Date Received:
04-10-2025
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
22-09-2025
Date Received:
03-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Says 3 weeks, happy to wait. Applied on the Monday, old PP returned on the Tuesday, updates via text & arrived 13 days later. Great service.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Photo Method
Other Application was completed by Post Office digital check and send
Submission Date:
24-09-2025
Date Received:
04-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very easy using the Post Office. They did everything.
Application sent digitally 24/09/2025
Passport office received old passport 26/09/2025
New passport approved 02/10/2025
New passport received 04/10/2025
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
25-09-2025
Date Received:
04-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
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Lost or Stolen Passport Application
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
24-09-2025
Date Received:
02-10-2025
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Photo Method
Used a different photo booth (Not Photo-Me)
Submission Date:
25-09-2025
Date Received:
03-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Couldn’t believe how fast it was. Amazing.
Child Renewal
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Photo Method
Took it myself on my phone
Submission Date:
20-09-2025
Date Received:
04-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Passport printed 9:06pm on 3 October 2025
Application approved 6:52pm on 1 October 2025
New photo received 6:50pm on 1 October 2025
Photo rejected 6:34pm on 1 October 2025
Documents received 8:15pm on 25 September 2025
Application received 2:56pm on 20 September 2025
Application submitted 2:55pm on 20 September 2025
Overseas Passport Application
Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Photo Method
Other Professional
Submission Date:
23-09-2025
Date Received:
02-10-2025
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very simple and quick, passport was lost so had to confirm my identity using a friend from a recognized profession. Identity took 4 days to confirm, application was approved a week later, printed the next day and took two days to arrive with DHL.
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