Reviews, Tips and Timelines

Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport

Passport Office:
London

Submission Date:
05-06-2023

Date Received:
14-06-2023

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Old passport and foreign passport were returned 16/6 – 2 days after new passport arrived

Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport

Passport Office:
London

Submission Date:
25-04-2023

Date Received:
25-05-2023

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
I applied from the Cardiff post office and received the passport in 4 weeks + 2 days. It was straightforward and easy. I received mine in 5 weeks and am happy about it.

Type of Application:
First UK Adult Passport

Passport Office:
Not Sure

Submission Date:
25-01-2023

Date Received:
18-06-2023

Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful

Comments:
Sent in application before the fee increase in January and only just received the passport

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Passport Office:
Corby

Submission Date:
03-06-2023

Date Received:
15-06-2023

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Very good experience overall – at the post office the staff asked if I was sending an old passport and suggested I get Special Delivery. I got someone to take a photo using my phone, when I uploaded this I got a message rating my photo as ‘poor’ because of lighting I think, but I decided to submit anyway as I felt the photo matched all the required criteria. Was half-expecting to be asked to submit a new photo because of this but application was approved, no problems. New passport arrived with Tracked 24 delivery but in a envelope clearly marking it was an important document. Got text and email notifications throughout the process and was able to track delivery of new passport. Now waiting for old passport to arrive in the next 2 weeks.

Application submitted 2:12pm on 3 June 2023
Application received 2:13pm on 3 June 2023
Sent off old passport by Royal Mail (Special Delivery by 1pm) 2:49pm on 3 June 2023 (Saturday)
Royal Mail tracking: Delivered and Signed notification 11:20am on 6 June 2023
Documents (Old passport) received by Passport Office and matched to application 9:10am on 7 June 2023
Application approved 10:24am on 13 June 2023
Passport printed 2:49am on 14 June 2023
Passport delivered 9:13am on 15 June 2023

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Passport Office:
Not Sure

Submission Date:
02-06-2023

Date Received:
15-06-2023

Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average

Comments:
Max Spielman took 20 photos – all were rejected and could not be uploaded by them
The Post Office took a photo and that was uploaded as ‘good’. It was rejected at Passport office
Was asked to submit another photo by the passport office – that was finally accepted and the passport approved next day
Otherwise the online application and the email communication back from the passport office was great

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead

Submission Date:
12-06-2023

Date Received:
16-06-2023

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Passport arrived 8:50am on 16 June 2023
Passport printed 10:41pm on 15 June 2023
Application approved 11:50pm on 14 June 2023
Documents received 11:41am on 14 June 2023
Application received 8:36am on 12 June 2023
Application submitted 8:35am on 12 June 2023

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead

Submission Date:
06-06-2023

Date Received:
16-06-2023

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Whole process was very easy, posted old passport on the day of application. Was delivered and signed for at the Passport Office the next day (7th), received notification from HMPO saying they had it the day after (8th).

New passport delivered today (16th).

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)

Submission Date:
03-06-2023

Date Received:
16-06-2023

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Had my photo taken with phone, no zoom used and saved. Used online application, which requires few details from old passport added the photo. App lets you know if your photo meets the criteria. Click submit. Regular updates from passport office via text and emails as I opted for this and was free. Received new passport 13 calendar days later, signed on one of passport page as instructed. There you go. Very super efficient service from HMPO.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead

Submission Date:
10-06-2023

Date Received:
16-06-2023

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Great Service, received passport in 6 days from Date of online submission

Delivered by Fed Ex 9.00am 16 June 2023
Passport printed 11:21pm on 15 June 2023
Application approved 4:33am on 15 June 2023
Documents received 5:49pm on 14 June 2023
Application received 2:55pm on 10 June 2023
Application submitted 2:55pm on 10 June 2023

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Passport Office:
Peterborough

Submission Date:
02-06-2023

Date Received:
15-06-2023

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
Submitted on 2/6/23 old passport received on the 7th it sat there like that for a few days I emailed them to be told it would be 10 weeks. However received confirmation photo rejected on 13th sent new photo on the 13th application approved on the 13th printed on the 14th received on the 15th. Once approved quick turnaround

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead

Submission Date:
13-06-2023

Date Received:
16-06-2023

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
This was an online renewal with no requirement to send

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Passport Office:
Corby

Submission Date:
04-06-2023

Date Received:
16-06-2023

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
[Passport received 16 June 2023]
Passport printed 4:47am on 15 June 2023
Application approved 11:36am on 14 June 2023
Identity details received 11:35am on 14 June 2023
Email sent to person confirming your identity 8:48am on 14 June 2023
Ask someone to confirm your identity 12:49pm on 13 June 2023
Documents received 9:42am on 7 June 2023
[Old passport posted by 1st Class Signed For 4:30pm on 4 June 2023]
Application received 3:16pm on 4 June 2023
Application submitted 3:16pm on 4 June 2023

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)

Submission Date:
03-06-2023

Date Received:
16-06-2023

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
3 June application
4 June dont forget to post old passport
8 June old passport received
14 June passport approved
15 June passport printing
16 June passport arrived

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Passport Office:
Newport

Submission Date:
01-06-2023

Date Received:
15-06-2023

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
I applied for a passport renewal with 4 weeks to go until our holiday, without really realising how long it might take. So, I started researching about how to speed things up – and read lots of information on this website, which initially explained the wait time was averaging 17 days and helped alleviate the stress slightly. However, after about a week stuck on the ‘Documents Received’ stage, I started to get a bit twitchy – and I read on one of the forums on this website that if you offer some feedback via the link on the gov.uk update page it might get your application through a bit faster. No idea why that should be the case, but I was up for trying anything. So about 8am on the morning of 14 June, I filled in the survey and gave generally neutral/negative feedback. Unbelievably, two hours later the application was approved, and I ended up having it in my hand at 11.30am the next day. Top tips I wish I had followed: get your application in with plenty of time to spare, use the fast track if you can, send your old passport first class asap (as they won’t get going on the application until they have it), try not to obsess about it, and have faith…. And fill the survey in!!

Application submitted 7:44pm on 1 June
Application received 7:45pm on 1 June
Documents received 8:49pm on 7 June
Application approved 9:50am on 14 June
Passport printed 1:35am on 15 June
Passport received in the letterbox 11:35am on 15 June

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead

Submission Date:
22-04-2023

Date Received:
05-06-2023

Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average

Comments:
Application approved 2:08pm on 1 June 2023
Documents received 8:08am on 23 May 2023
Application received 2:58pm on 22 April 2023
Passport printed 5:13am on 2 June 2023
Passport received 12:35 on 5 June 2023

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Passport Office:
Corby

Submission Date:
12-06-2023

Date Received:
16-06-2023

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Very easy passport received back within 5 days.completed online after discovering my passport did not have 6months left on it after arrival at destination

Passport delivered 10.00am on 16 June 2023
Passport printed 10:43pm on 15 June 2023
Application approved 7:11am on 15 June 2023
Documents received 7:11am on 15 June 2023
Application received 7:52pm on 12 June 2023
Application submitted 7:52pm on 12 June 2023

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Passport Office:
London

Submission Date:
18-05-2023

Date Received:
15-06-2023

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Passport received 15 June 2023
Application approved 13 June 2023
Documents “received” 7 June 2023
Sent documents with tracked and signed for on 2 June 2023
Application received 18 May 2023

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.

Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport

Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead

Submission Date:
04-06-2023

Date Received:
16-06-2023

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Such a helpful Facebook group

Type of Application:
Lost/Stolen Passport

Passport Office:
Not Sure

Submission Date:
24-05-2023

Date Received:
15-06-2023

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Very easy!
Submitted 24th May.
Identity details received 24th May
Application approved 14th June
Passport arrived 15th June 🙂

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Passport Office:
Corby

Submission Date:
30-05-2023

Date Received:
16-06-2023

Overall Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Comments:
Submitted 30.5.23
Identity checked 30.5.23
Docs recieved 4.6.23
Application approved 14.6.23
Printed 14.6.23
Delivered 16.6.23

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Passport Office:
Corby

Submission Date:
28-05-2023

Date Received:
16-06-2023

Overall Experience:
Please Rate out of 5

Comments:
Quick and easy with updates at every stage

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Passport Office:
Corby

Submission Date:
28-05-2023

Date Received:
16-06-2023

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Very quick, updated at every stage.

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead

Submission Date:
11-05-2023

Date Received:
14-06-2023

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Instructions are clear as long as you try your very best to do what is asked you should receive your passport in no time

Type of Application:
First Child Passport

Passport Office:
Hemel Hempstead

Submission Date:
10-05-2023

Date Received:
02-06-2023

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
I had 2 child renewals and 2 first passports to do.
I decided to use the online service.
I was nervous about photos but all communications were so quick and helpful everything went well.
I sent all documents in one envelope by using the same family instructions.
My countersignatures were contacted straight away.
Only one photo was rejected and the day I submitted a new one it was approved printed and delivered by the next day.

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Passport Office:
Corby

Submission Date:
10-05-2023

Date Received:
14-06-2023

Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average

Comments:
Overseas renewal –

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Passport Office:
Corby

Submission Date:
24-04-2023

Date Received:
17-06-2023

Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful

Comments:
Applied on line they changed to manual. Sent old passport to Corby, then went to Peterborough, Liverpool, Durham then back to Liverpool.. had to phone to find out any information, sometimes phoned and text 5times a day. Told I could up grade then declined upgrade, didn’t tell me it had been declined, guy told me next day when I phoned. Sent email to MP no help whatsoever, Thursday 15th June emailed Abi Terney. Whose director general. No reply. Was told Thursday I could up grade sent them my flight information and a guy phoned and said they have agreed to upgrade. Payments would contact me, they didn’t.. I phoned Friday to be told I can’t pay as nothing on screen to say I can upgrade. Phoned twice more same answers. Then out the blue in the afternoon a guy phoned me and asked if upgrade department had phoned me, I told him no, he then said he’s sent all the information to upgrade team and as an apology I didn’t have to pay the £111.00 upgrade payment. Then my phone kept pinging saying upgrade approved, then passport being printed, passport printed and sent out and transferred to Newport foe me to collect Saturday.. this was all done in less than 2 hours. The experience was awful, stress and anxiety hit the roof daily, cried a lot because they don’t ever give a straight answer. I don’t know if emailing Abi Terney helped as I didn’t receive any email back from her team. But couldn’t believe how helpful and quick it all happened. I GOT HER PASSPORT HAPPY HOLIDAYS FOR US.

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Passport Office:
Not Sure

Submission Date:
11-04-2023

Date Received:
16-06-2023

Overall Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful

Comments:
Passport has been with TNT for 6 weeks and their customer service is simply chatbots and not good ones at that so no signs of receiving the passport anytime soon…

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Passport Office:
Corby

Submission Date:
03-06-2023

Date Received:
16-06-2023

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Application history
Status Date
Passport printed 6:40am on 15 June 2023
Application approved 2:12pm on 14 June 2023
Documents received 2:59pm on 8 June 2023
Application received 10:47am on 3 June 2023
Identity details received 10:46am on 3 June 2023
Email sent to person confirming your identity 10:15am on 3 June 2023
Ask someone to confirm your identity 10:04am on 3 June 2023
Application submitted 10:04am on 3 June 2023

Passport was delivered at 9am this morning (16/06) by TNT, so 13 days in total from submission to receipt!

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Passport Office:
Liverpool (Bootle)

Submission Date:
01-06-2023

Date Received:
16-06-2023

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Quick and easy process
Application received 3/06/23
Documents received 09/06/23
Application approved 15/06/23
New passport received 16/06/23

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Passport Office:
London

Submission Date:
03-06-2023

Date Received:
14-06-2023

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Absolutely smooth service.

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Passport Office:
Corby

Submission Date:
05-06-2023

Date Received:
16-06-2023

Overall Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Comments:
Passport sent back on the 6th, text received on the 12th that passport approved and waiting for printing. Further text on Wednesday that it was printed and will notify when posted. 15th June, sms saying with courier (post office) and arriving before 1500hrs 16th June – arrived before 1000hrs. Brilliant and no express service required.

Type of Application:
Child Renewal

Passport Office:
Corby

Submission Date:
10-05-2023

Date Received:
14-06-2023

Overall Experience:
3 Star – Average

Comments:
Overseas renewal

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.