Recent UK Passport Applicant Timelines

Super easy process.

Passport application 12 Aug 26 Documents received 14 Aug 26 Passport approved 21 Aug 26 Passport received 25 Aug 26

We submitted our daughter's application on 26 July 2026. There was a slight delay on our part in sending the required documents, which the passport office marked as received on 11 August. We were awaiting some original documents about the grandparents from the UK. We included both grandparents' birth certificates, even though they were not explicitly requested, as we had seen that other applicants were asked to send them at a later date. I think this also helped with the speed at which the outcome was received. The application was approved on 19 August and printed that afternoon. We received tracking details by 21 August, and the passport was delivered via DHL by the 26th. We are still awaiting the return of the supporting documents.

Deed poll was rejected as it wasn’t signed in both my old and new names.

It mat have been quicker but used a shop originally for the photo but it wasn't accepted so took my own. But it went so smoothly othercthan that.

British born but most of life in Australia. No previous British passport, no parents passport. We read many posts on this page before applying. Then when we located or purchased and sent the paperwork. We didn’t send just what the passport office said. We sent other things that some had been asked to send after review. All originals..both parents birth certificates, parents wedding certificate, my birth certificate, my wedding certificate, Australian arrival card from the mid 1960’s, colour photocopies of licence and every page of my Australian passport, bank statement to show residency. We wrote and signed a cover letter explaining each document and why we are applying from overseas (some people had to respond to that question after applying!) Used DHL, way faster than Australia Post. Passport Printed on 17 August, arrived in Australia 24th August, plus another envelope with our certificates at the same time!

Passport received on 22nd August 20206 Passport printed on 20 August 2026 Application approved on 20 August 2026 Documents received on 12 August 2026 Application received on 10 August 2026 Application submitted on 10 August 2026

Passport Delivered 22 August 2026 Passport printed 1:40pm on 20 August 2026 Application approved 9:09am on 20 August 2026 Documents received 4:35pm on 12 August 2026 Application received 4:21pm on 10 August 2026 Application submitted 4:21pm on 10 August 2026

Taken 15 days from documents received.

Royal Mail slightly delayed despite Special Delivery service. No update. HMPO OK.

Took 8 days from documents received to approval and a further 2 days until delivery.

Lost old passport at the passport office, quick turn around from that happening though.

Documents received 11/08/2026. Passport received 20/08/2026.