Feedback, experiences, timelines, tips and useful information from people that have recently been through the UK passport application process.
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1st Adult Passport
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
13-03-2023
Date Received:
15-05-2023
Overall Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Comments:
Quite annoying as I requested an extra name (my civil partner’s last name) to be hyphenated with mine but they refused it as they needed my home country also to ratify the name which was not possible as I come from a country where same-sex marriage is not recognised and as such name change based on that – this could have been checked by their legal team. I was happy for my British passport to mention that I am also known by my ‘maiden’ name, but they wanted me to reach out to my home country. I explained how that would put me in danger but they didn’t care. As such eventually, I had to revert back to my original last name. A month after the delivery of my British passport, I still haven’t received my original documents back.
Passport delivered 15 May 2023
Passport printed 6:35am on 11 May 2023
Application approved 5:53pm on 10 May 2023
Documents received 1:43pm on 17 March 2023
Application received 7:34pm on 13 March 2023
Identity details received 7:34pm on 13 March 2023
Email sent to person confirming your identity 6:44pm on 13 March 2023
Ask someone to confirm your identity 6:29pm on 13 March 2023
Application submitted 6:29pm on 13 March 2023
Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
05-06-2023
Date Received:
15-06-2023
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
5/6 application submitted
7/6 documents received
13/6 application approved
14/6 passport printed
15/6 passport received
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
07-06-2023
Date Received:
15-06-2023
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Passport printed 1:08am on 15 June 2023
Application approved 7:06am on 14 June 2023
Documents received 9:08pm on 13 June 2023
Application received 3:34pm on 7 June 2023
Application submitted 3:33pm on 7 June 2023
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Submission Date:
09-06-2023
Date Received:
15-06-2023
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
I posted my old passport on a Friday (the same day I applied), it was received on a Tuesday, approved Wednesday and I received it on Thursday. Less than a week! Absolutely amazed at how quick and easy the process was.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Submission Date:
02-06-2023
Date Received:
15-06-2023
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very easy application, got my photo done at a photo shop to ensure it would pass the requirements, passport office kept me updated throughout, letting me know when documents had been received, when application had been approved, when passport was printed and when it was ready to be sent. I also had a text from Royal Mail letting me know when it was being delivered.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Submission Date:
03-06-2023
Date Received:
15-06-2023
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
4:38pm on 3 June 2023 Application submitted
10:41am on 6 June 2023 Documents confirmed as delivered
6:23pm on 7 June 2023 Documents received
8:59am on 14 June 2023 Application approved
11:25pm on 14 June 2023 Passport printed
10:04am on 15 June 2023 New passport delivered
Very easy process and fast. I have a foreign passport but no name change. Haven’t received old passports back yet.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Submission Date:
06-06-2023
Date Received:
15-06-2023
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Very quick and easy process, was told by royal mail to send in special delivery, cost £6.50!
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
26-05-2023
Date Received:
09-06-2023
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
We used the Post Office Fast Track service in Derby and my passport was returned in 14 days and my Wife’s in 17 days. Never understood why they got split up at the printing stage. Overall very impressed with service and speed of return.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Submission Date:
23-05-2023
Date Received:
15-06-2023
Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average
Comments:
Passport delivered 13:28 15 June 2023
Passport printed 11:17pm on 13 June 2023
Application approved 3:54pm on 13 June 2023
Documents received 12:15pm on 26 May 2023
Application received 7:18pm on 22 May 2023
Application submitted 7:18pm on 22 May 2023
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Submission Date:
04-06-2023
Date Received:
14-06-2023
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Application submitted: 04/06/23
Documents received by HMPO: 06/06/23
Application approved: 12/06/23
Printed: 13/06/23
Delivered DHL: 14/06/23
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
05-06-2023
Date Received:
10-06-2023
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Digital passport photo taken at local shop 5 June
Application submitted 1:53pm on 5 June 2023
Application received 1:54pm on 5 June 2023
Old passport submitted 2:38pm 5 June 2023, signed for 1st Class
Old pasport delivered 10:51am 6 June 2023
Documents received 8:26pm on 7 June 2023
Application approved 6:33am on 8 June 2023
Passport printed 1:13am on 9 June 2023
Passport received 10 June 2023
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Submission Date:
01-06-2023
Date Received:
14-06-2023
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
It would have been quicker if I’d posted on the Thursday rather than the Friday. Also I got the picture wrong but I submitted a new photo and it was approved and printed the next day. Overall very pleased with the speed
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Lost or Stolen Passport Application
Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport
Passport Office:
Corby
Submission Date:
20-05-2023
Date Received:
15-06-2023
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Made an error on my application as well as the passport being lost all together wasn’t to bad.
1st Child Passport
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
30-03-2023
Date Received:
12-06-2023
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Documents received by HMPO 30/03/23
Photo rejected 25/04/23 (26 days)
Photo re-submitted 25/04/23 (same day)
Numerous emails commencing 31/05/2023 ref delay – all generic responses. Two phone calls again generic response – it’s being examined, look out for emails.
Informed in email exchange when we asked about speeding it up that application could only be upgraded two weeks before travel i.e. 07/07/23 and further 4 weeks delay
Official complaint submitted 06/06/23 (1 day before the “up to” 10 weeks stated) – stating 1) won’t meet HMPO’s own 10 weeks published standard and 2) protesting against HMPO intention to deliberately delay by a further 4 weeks despite early submission
Complaint acknowledged 07/06/23 and investigation opened.
Passport approved and printed 08/06/23
Passport received 12/06/23
Applied well in advance but had to wait until 10 week deadline before we had grounds to complain and only obtained information about upgrade and upgrade delay by pushing back against the generic emails and luckily finding someone who would answer the questions asked. Am sure it could have been resolved sooner if someone had actually investigated rather than bouncing back generic emails or saying phone the advice line, which didn’t help at all. intention seems to fob people off rather than resolve problems resulting in more non-productive work for HMPO.
Type of Application:
First Child Passport
Passport Office:
Peterborough
Submission Date:
06-05-2023
Date Received:
12-06-2023
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
We had our first signature refused for some reason on the 8th June then had a new signature on the 9th June to approve identity. and then it was printed the next day and delivered within 48 hours. Very speedy.
Child Renewal
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead
Submission Date:
01-06-2023
Date Received:
14-06-2023
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Simple process, received text updates on progress of application.
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Submission Date:
04-06-2023
Date Received:
15-06-2023
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
StatusDate
Passport printed 1:12am on 14 June 2023
Application approved 9:26am on 13 June 2023
Documents received 8:55am on 7 June 2023
Application received 10:02pm on 4 June 2023
Identity details received 10:02pm on 4 June 2023
Email sent to person confirming your identity 9:47pm on 4 June 2023
Ask someone to confirm your identity 9:25pm on 4 June 2023
Application submitted 9:25pm on 4 June 2023
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
20-03-2023
Date Received:
09-06-2023
Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Comments:
Passport service lost passport, customer service is non existent
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)
Submission Date:
07-06-2023
Date Received:
16-06-2023
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
We applied ourselves online and took our own photo, which was an easy process and very pleased with the fast turnaround (thankful as we wanted to go away in July!)
Type of Application:
Child Renewal
Passport Office:
Corby
Submission Date:
03-06-2023
Date Received:
15-06-2023
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Applying online was easy. Liked that you can use your iPad etc to take the passport photo & when you upload it, it scans it to make sure it’s acceptable.
My daughters passport renewal turn around was really quick ie 12 days.
Overseas Passport Application
Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Durham
Submission Date:
24-05-2023
Date Received:
15-06-2023
Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Comments:
Passport printed 7:26am on 13 June 2023
Application approved 3:58pm on 12 June 2023
Documents received 8:18pm on 5 June 2023
Application received 1:06pm on 27 May 2023
Type of Application:
Adult Renewal (Overseas Application)
Passport Office:
Not Sure
Submission Date:
20-04-2023
Date Received:
15-06-2023
Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Comments:
Bangkok resident. Lost passport renew/replace and then couriered back to Bangkok for collection.
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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.
