British Passport application processing timelines (only)

[milleniumx99]

Linkers how do you know a credit check was done? Is this standard practice for such checks to be done?

[linkers]

milleniumx99: I'm sure this is a standard practice otherwise there is no way of finding out about your bank accounts, previous addresses, credit cards and mobile phone contracts etc.

I pay for a monthly subscription for Equifax and I get an alert via text and email as soon as there is any activity on my credit file. I was notified by Equifax after IPS had made an inquiry on my credit file.

Below is from my credit file:
IDENTITY AND PASSPORT SERVICE (I , a Government company, has made an inquiry against your credit report on 02/12/2013 . If you were not aware of or did not consent to this search, contact IDENTITY AND PASSPORT SERVICE (I or Equifax for clarification.

[chamelion]

Linkers how do you know a credit check was done? Is this standard practice for such checks to be done?

I see it too on mine:

IPS - ABI ID Check Identity and Passport Service
Carried out yesterday 3/12.

[linkers]

chamelion: Which credit rating agency you are using ?

I know a friend who is using Experian but he didn't get an alert. I think like most banks, IPS only uses one of the three agencies. In my case, it's Equifax.

[chamelion]

chamelion: Which credit rating agency you are using ?

I know a friend who is using Experian but he didn't get an alert. I think like most banks, IPS only uses one of the three agencies. In my case, it's Equifax.

equifax here too.

[linkers]

Thanks chamelion

[kasturi75]

First Adult Passport
Method of Application: PO Check and Send
Date of application: 28/11/2013
Date of application acknowledged by HMPO: 03/12/2013 (received via SMS)
Date of return of documents: 04/12/2013
Date of interview Letter: 04/12/2013
Date of passport interview appointment: 06/12/2013 - Crawley
Date of passport receipt: TBC

Can someone tell me what is the nearest & easiest car park to access Crawley passport interview offiece in the early morning appointments?

Thanks.

[milleniumx99]

Tha chamelion

Thanks for the information, the credit checks would be scary if there was something to hide. Glad I don't have such issues.

My timeline is
Method of Application: PO Check and Send 
Date of application: 27/11/2013 
Date of application acknowledged by HMPO: 02/12/2013 (received via SMS) Date of return of documents: 05/12/2013 
Date of interview Letter: 05/12/2013 
Date of passport interview: 07/12/13
Passport received:???

[chamelion]

quick question guys: for the interview - are you getting a predefined slot based on your location? Or is it just an invite and you have to call to set up an appointment?

[linkers]

It's an invite and once you have it, you need to call HMPO to book an appointment for the passport interview in any of their offices.

[Emrah]

Do they tell you if your interview was successful or not? on what cases they refuse the application?

[linkers]

No, I don't think they tell you if it was successful or not. You don't need to worry about it as the main aim of the interview is to prove your identity.

[chamelion]

don't forget guys: you're already British citizens! It's not like they'd cancel your citizenship if you mess up the interview a bit!

[geemo]

don't forget guys: you're already British citizens! It's not like they'd cancel your citizenship if you mess up the interview a bit!

Nice one

[ELKA]

Application Timeline
Passport for: First time adult
Method of application: Postal(recorded)
Date of application: 4/12/2013
Date application received by IPS: TBC
Date of return of documents: TBC
Date of receipt of interview letter: TBC
Date of Passport Appointment: TBC
Date of Passport Receipt: TBC

Hello everyone.

[tlbanks]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: First Adult Application
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 4/12/13
Date application received by IPS: 6/12/13(HMPO SMS)
Date of return of documents:
Date of receipt of interview letter:
Date of Passport Appointment:
Date of Passport Receipt:

[akhan25]

Application Timeline
 Passport for: Adult Application
Type: First Adult Application 
Method of application: Check & Send 
Date of application: 6/12/13 
Date application received by IPS:
Date of return of documents: 
Date of receipt of interview letter: 
Date of Passport Appointment: 
Date of Passport Receipt:

[HAPPYDAYSUK]

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: First Adult Passport
Method of application: Postal (Special Delivery)
Date of application: 2/12/13
Date application received by IPS: 3/12/2013
Date of return of documents: 5/12/2013
Date of receipt of interview letter: 6/12/2013
Date of Passport Appointment: 17/12/2013
Date of Passport Receipt:

[kasturi75]

quick question guys: for the interview - are you getting a predefined slot based on your location? Or is it just an invite and you have to call to set up an appointment?

Latter

[kasturi75]

We did our interview today 06/12/2013 - at Crawley. First 2 appointments of the day. Receptionist who is a retired military person was warmly welcomed us & very helpful of guiding us for most cost effective parking places etc (ASDA car park is the cheapest as only 1 pound for 2 hrs).

My wife got first slot & only took 10 min to go through everything.
Then my turn also took around 10 min to complete. No tough questions at all. All questions are based on myself, family, Parents, Work, commuting, banking, dates & supporting docs of application, about Counter signatory.

Told between 4 – 10 days Passport will be reached.

Thanks everyone for all your help & guidance.

[geemo]

Still waiting for the interview letter, Would it be an issue if I called even though its just been 2 weeks since my application was sent and supporting documents have not been returned??

[Emrah]

We did our interview today 06/12/2013 - at Crawley. First 2 appointments of the day. Receptionist who is a retired military person was warmly welcomed us & very helpful of guiding us for most cost effective parking places etc (ASDA car park is the cheapest as only 1 pound for 2 hrs).

My wife got first slot & only took 10 min to go through everything.
Then my turn also took around 10 min to complete. No tough questions at all. All questions are based on myself, family, Parents, Work, commuting, banking, dates & supporting docs of application, about Counter signatory.

Told between 4 – 10 days Passport will be reached.

Thanks everyone for all your help & guidance.

I dont think they are allowed to let you know if you are gonna get your passport or not. Cos they are not allowed to give info if you were succesful or not.

I have been to my interview today. They are asking so many questions they are simple questions but they ask quite a lot. I only couldn't remember exact date of my British citizenship ceremony date but I remembered the month. He was asking even my sister brother name and asked if they got kids or not. Come on eh. You can see my picture I have answered hundreds of questions I have been numerous times of security checks before I came to this point.

Anyway hopefully will get my passport soon and this things will be over.

Good luck to people who are waiting.

[kasturi75]

We did our interview today 06/12/2013 - at Crawley. First 2 appointments of the day. Receptionist who is a retired military person was warmly welcomed us & very helpful of guiding us for most cost effective parking places etc (ASDA car park is the cheapest as only 1 pound for 2 hrs).

My wife got first slot & only took 10 min to go through everything.
Then my turn also took around 10 min to complete. No tough questions at all. All questions are based on myself, family, Parents, Work, commuting, banking, dates & supporting docs of application, about Counter signatory.

Told between 4 – 10 days Passport will be reached.

Thanks everyone for all your help & guidance.

I dont think they are allowed to let you know if you are gonna get your passport or not. Cos they are not allowed to give info if you were succesful or not.

I have been to my interview today. They are asking so many questions they are simple questions but they ask quite a lot. I only couldn't remember exact date of my British citizenship ceremony date but I remembered the month. He was asking even my sister brother name and asked if they got kids or not. Come on eh. You can see my picture I have answered hundreds of questions I have been numerous times of security checks before I came to this point.

Anyway hopefully will get my passport soon and this things will be over.

Good luck to people who are waiting.

I don't know what they are allowed or not. But she said if nothing reached during 10 days then inquiry from Passport office.
My understanding is if they are not satisfied then they keep asking more & more questions till they satisfy.

Was anyone turned down issuing Passport due to an unsuccessful interview??

[Emrah]

We did our interview today 06/12/2013 - at Crawley. First 2 appointments of the day. Receptionist who is a retired military person was warmly welcomed us & very helpful of guiding us for most cost effective parking places etc (ASDA car park is the cheapest as only 1 pound for 2 hrs).

My wife got first slot & only took 10 min to go through everything.
Then my turn also took around 10 min to complete. No tough questions at all. All questions are based on myself, family, Parents, Work, commuting, banking, dates & supporting docs of application, about Counter signatory.

Told between 4 – 10 days Passport will be reached.

Thanks everyone for all your help & guidance.

I dont think they are allowed to let you know if you are gonna get your passport or not. Cos they are not allowed to give info if you were succesful or not.

I have been to my interview today. They are asking so many questions they are simple questions but they ask quite a lot. I only couldn't remember exact date of my British citizenship ceremony date but I remembered the month. He was asking even my sister brother name and asked if they got kids or not. Come on eh. You can see my picture I have answered hundreds of questions I have been numerous times of security checks before I came to this point.

Anyway hopefully will get my passport soon and this things will be over.

Good luck to people who are waiting.

I don't know what they are allowed or not. But she said if nothing reached during 10 days then inquiry from Passport office.
My understanding is if they are not satisfied then they keep asking more & more questions till they satisfy.

Was anyone turned down issuing Passport due to an unsuccessful interview??

If this means "if nothing reached during 10 days then inquiry from Passport office." you are successful. Then I should not take the interview at all cos the guy at reception told me exactly same thing before interview.

[kyjuan]

Still waiting for the interview letter, Would it be an issue if I called even though its just been 2 weeks since my application was sent and supporting documents have not been returned??

Might be worth giving them a ring to check. From my experience and other numerous timelines I've seen on here 2 weeks is a long time to wait for interview letter and docs to be sent back.