British Passport application processing timelines (only)

Does anyone know if someone is able to call the passport office on behalf of someone else? or is it only allowed to be the person whose application it is?

For adult application they only provide information for the person concerend only. This is what I was told.

Got the interview letter this morning!
I applied on 4/June/2014 Durham.

FINAL TIMELINE:
Passport for: Adults (Wife and Self)
Application Type: First Adult (naturalised citizen)
Method of application: PO Check & Send (Glasgow)
Date of application: 30/05/2014
Date application received by IPS: 04/06/2014 (wife - Belfast); 06/06/2014 (self - Peterborough)
SMS received: 06/06/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: 10/07 (wife); 15/07 (self)
Date of return of documents: 15/07 (both applicants)
Date of Passport Appointment: 14/07 (wife); 16/07 (self)
Date of Passport Printing SMS received: 15/07 (wife); 17/07 (self)
Date of Passport Receipt: 16/07 (wife); 18/07 (self)

I have been keeping a tab on all Post Office Check & Send applicant timelines posted here from March. It appears the total number of days (from Application to receipt of PP) slipped from 30.2 days (March Applicants); 33.6 days (April) and 42.2 days (May). If it's any comfort, those who applied during the first half of May (1-15 May) had theirs back in 43 days while the second half of May had theirs back in approx. 42 days, so things might have already peaked? Hopefully it is going in the right direction.

Good luck to all!

Have just been told there is a letter from the passport waiting at home!! Fingers crossed!!

skeniver wrote:Hi,

I thought I would post about my experience here too:

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: First time (naturalised citizen)
Method of application: PO Check and Send
Date of application: 13/05/2014
SMS received: PENDING
Date of receipt of interview letter: PENDING
Date of return of documents: PENDING
Date of Passport Appointment: PENDING
Date of Passport Printing SMS received: PENDING
Date of Passport Receipt: PENDING

I've been dealing with the advice line for over two weeks now and had no call back from the passport office dealing with the application (Peterborough). Apparently the address was incorrect, so they say that the letter may have been sent to the wrong house in the road. However, I still can't find out any information on what is happening with my request.

I've got the opportunity to travel for work in a months time, but my RSA passport is obviously also held up in the process.

Does anyone have any advice on how I could either find out what is going on or get my old passport back so that I can travel? I'm reaching the end of my tether on what to do about this...

I would urge you to get in touch with your MP ASAP as he can help track this.

lea123 wrote:Have just been told there is a letter from the passport waiting at home!! Fingers crossed!!

Well done! It should be your interview letter so it might be worth ringing 0300 222 1000 and tell them that you want to arrange an interview and that you have received it but haven't seen it. They should be able to track you on the system. You might be able to get an interview for Sat.

anyone know how to find out which "office" my application for passport went to ?
can you do it online or do i have to call them ?

I sent the application on 15th July i got a text this morning acknowledging the application.
They also asked me in text not to contact them for next 6 weeks .

whats the best way to get the interview "quicker" any tips from Pros here ?

once again many thanks for help.

I have emails from recruitment company asking for passport and i cannot start work until i have "passport" as its a requirement for working in financial sector . (i thought citizenship certificate should be enough but apparently not in their book)

runie80 wrote:anyone know how to find out which "office" my application for passport went to ?
can you do it online or do i have to call them ?

I sent the application on 15th July i got a text this morning acknowledging the application.
They also asked me in text not to contact them for next 6 weeks .

whats the best way to get the interview "quicker" any tips from Pros here ?

once again many thanks for help.

I have emails from recruitment company asking for passport and i cannot start work until i have "passport" as its a requirement for working in financial sector . (i thought citizenship certificate should be enough but apparently not in their book)

After 3 weeks you can use the online form on the passport website to find out its progress and that tells you what office it is at

lea123 wrote:

runie80 wrote:anyone know how to find out which "office" my application for passport went to ?
can you do it online or do i have to call them ?

I sent the application on 15th July i got a text this morning acknowledging the application.
They also asked me in text not to contact them for next 6 weeks .

whats the best way to get the interview "quicker" any tips from Pros here ?

once again many thanks for help.

I have emails from recruitment company asking for passport and i cannot start work until i have "passport" as its a requirement for working in financial sector . (i thought citizenship certificate should be enough but apparently not in their book)

After 3 weeks you can use the online form on the passport website to find out its progress and that tells you what office it is at

Apparently you can do it after first week itself, i.e. use the online form to enquire.

Additionally, you can start chasing them via phone from 3rd week onwards if you sent it via check and send and 4 weeks if you sent via post.

muzammil1124 wrote:

lea123 wrote:

runie80 wrote:anyone know how to find out which "office" my application for passport went to ?
can you do it online or do i have to call them ?

I sent the application on 15th July i got a text this morning acknowledging the application.
They also asked me in text not to contact them for next 6 weeks .

whats the best way to get the interview "quicker" any tips from Pros here ?

once again many thanks for help.

I have emails from recruitment company asking for passport and i cannot start work until i have "passport" as its a requirement for working in financial sector . (i thought citizenship certificate should be enough but apparently not in their book)

After 3 weeks you can use the online form on the passport website to find out its progress and that tells you what office it is at

Apparently you can do it after first week itself, i.e. use the online form to enquire.

Additionally, you can start chasing them via phone from 3rd week onwards if you sent it via check and send and 4 weeks if you sent via post.

many thanks Guys. I have sent it via check and send.
Phew ! cannot wait for it to be over.

runie80 wrote:
I have emails from recruitment company asking for passport and i cannot start work until i have "passport" as its a requirement for working in financial sector . (i thought citizenship certificate should be enough but apparently not in their book)

That is so wrong. I am working in financial services for 6 years.

BC_Applicant wrote:

lea123 wrote:Have just been told there is a letter from the passport waiting at home!! Fingers crossed!!

Well done! It should be your interview letter so it might be worth ringing 0300 222 1000 and tell them that you want to arrange an interview and that you have received it but haven't seen it. They should be able to track you on the system. You might be able to get an interview for Sat.

@BC_Applicant:

Time to move to

http://www.immigrationboards.com/other- ... 3-560.html

Missing your expertise there. See you soon.

[quote="juliemjohn"][quote="juliemjohn"][quote="juliemjohn"][quote="juliemjohn"]Application Timeline

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New - (After Naturalisation)
Method of application: Check & Send through Post Office on 04th June 2014
Date of application: 03-June-2014
Date of Fees deduction: N/A (Fees taken at the Post Office)
Date application received by IPS: SMS on 09-June-2014
E-mail confirmation received from IPS: 08-June-2014 (Belfast Office)
Date of return of documents: WAITING
Date of receipt of interview letter: 15-07-2014 (Dated 11-07-2014)
Date of Passport Appointment: 18-07-2014, London Victoria
Date SMS received for printing passport: WAITING
Date of Passport Receipt: WAITING

The interview was today and lasted for 15 minutes precisely. It was ok, just felt a bit intrusive, as the officer kept asking too many questions. Just asked normal questions like how various people have posted in this forum.
He said it would take 4-10 working days from Monday (21.07.2014) to receive the passport.

I need to travel soon and kind of in a state of panic, as I need to apply for the Indian Visa and don't have any of the passports- Any suggestions forum friends?

Passport for: Kids (Daughter & Son)
Application Type: First Passports
Method of application: PO Check & Send (Mansfield)
Date of application: 25/06/2014
Date application received by IPS: 30/06/2014 (Durham -- yeah Durham... :S)
SMS received: 30/06/2014 (1 sms only)
Date of receipt of interview letter: N/A
Date of return of documents: Waiting
Date of Passport Appointment: N/A
Date of Passport Printing SMS received: Waiting
Date of Passport Receipt: Waiting.
- We moved to a new address so I had to call 0300 number for updating the address (called on 04/07): I was promised a call back
- Durham Office called back today (18/7/14) to confirm that they have received request about change of address. Confirmed that they are processing the applications now but no comments on completion date.

quote="juliemjohn"]Application Timeline

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New - (After Naturalisation)
Method of application: Check & Send through Post Office on 04th June 2014
Date of application: 03-June-2014
Date of Fees deduction: N/A (Fees taken at the Post Office)
Date application received by IPS: SMS on 09-June-2014
E-mail confirmation received from IPS: 08-June-2014 (Belfast Office)
Date of return of documents: WAITING
Date of receipt of interview letter: 15-07-2014 (Dated 11-07-2014)
Date of Passport Appointment: 18-07-2014, London Victoria
Date SMS received for printing passport: WAITING
Date of Passport Receipt: WAITING

The interview was today and lasted for 15 minutes precisely. It was ok, just felt a bit intrusive, as the officer kept asking too many questions. Just asked normal questions like how various people have posted in this forum.
He said it would take 4-10 working days from Monday (21.07.2014) to receive the passport.

I need to travel soon and kind of in a state of panic, as I need to apply for the Indian Visa and don't have any of the passports- Any suggestions forum friends?[/quote]



Hi, you can travel to India on Indian passport if you are within 3 months of receiving the citizenship certificate.

Once in India, you can apply for surrender certificate and then apply for OCI. If not, you need to return to UK within 3 months and then apply for surrender certificate and OCI.

Latest update

Application Type: New, first adult passport
Method of application: check and send post office
Date of application: 31/05/2014
Date SMS Received: Never received
Date of deduction of fees:
Date of return of documents: 11-July
Date of receipt of interview letter: 11-July
Date of interview appointment: 16-July
Date of SMS that Passport is being printed: 17-July
Date of Passport Receipt: 17-July


Application Type: New, first child passport
Method of application: check and send post office
Date of application: 31/05/2014
Date SMS Received: Never received
Date of deduction of fees:
Date of return of documents: 20-June
Date of receipt of interview letter: N/A
Date of interview appointment: N/A
Date of SMS that Passport is being printed: 19-June
Date of Passport Receipt: 20-June

Yes mate same here worked for 5 years in finance but then i
Left job at the end of my EEA permit and tried to get another job and its impossible to get you need eea visa stamp on passport which is valid which mine is expired or passport and I haven't got any passport yet. British citizenship certificate is not good for investment bank HR people.

6months jobless with all the skills. Oh well it's almost at its end now

akash08 wrote:

runie80 wrote:
I have emails from recruitment company asking for passport and i cannot start work until i have "passport" as its a requirement for working in financial sector . (i thought citizenship certificate should be enough but apparently not in their book)

That is so wrong. I am working in financial services for 6 years.

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: First time (naturalised citizen)
Method of application: PO Check & Send
Date of application: 04/June/2014
SMS received: 10/June/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: 18/July/2014
Date of return of documents: Waiting
Date of Passport Appointment: 22/July/2014
Date of Passport Receipt: Waiting


So, received the interview letter this morning, and called passport office for appointment.

Since I live in London, I asked for the appointment to be in London, but after checking for available appointments I was told that it was fully booked and that I should try calling again later, because sometimes other people who have already made their appointments, cancel them, and these slots then become available for others.

So I called couple of hours later and got the appointment.

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: First time (naturalised citizen)
Method of application: PO Check and Send
Date of application: 30/05/2014
SMS received: 03/06/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: 10/07/2014
Date of return of documents: 10/07/2014
Date of Passport Appointment: 17/07/2014 - Manchester
Date of Passport Printing SMS received: N/A
Date of Passport Receipt: 19/07/2014

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New (Naturalized Citizen)
Method of application: Check & Send or Postal
Date of application: 30/06/2014
Date application received by IPS: SMS on 02/07/14
Date of return of documents: WAITING
Date of receipt of interview letter: WAITING
Date of Passport Appointment: WAITING
Date of Passport Receipt: WAITING

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE TO BE ON TIME! I DID NOT BOOK ANY HOLIDAY...

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New (Naturalized Citizen)
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 08/06/14
Date application received by IPS: 09/06/14
Date of return of documents: WAITING
Date of receipt of interview letter: 19/07/14
Date of Passport Appointment: 23/07/14
Date of Passport Receipt: WAITING

Interview soon, will review what I have written on the form a day before then hope it's enough. Thanks everyone.

Application Type: First Adult (naturalised citizen)
Method of application: PO Check & Send
Date of application: 07/06/2014
Date application received by IPS: 11/06/2014 (Peterborough) [Did not receive SMS so found out through online query. They responded within 3 days]
SMS received: Did not receive.
Date of receipt of interview letter: 19/07/2014
Date of return of documents: Awaiting
Date of Passport Appointment: 24/07/2014
Date of Passport Printing SMS received: Awaiting
Date of Passport Receipt: Awaiting

We received a phone call on the 17th of July from the passport office asking if we had indeed applied for a jumbo passport. When we confirmed they promised to send out the interview letter and as promised we received the letter in post in 2 days.

Just want to share my inteview held at Bristol office, anyone having their interview there needs to revise his or her Form submitted before interview. He was very friendly as we also chat about the backlog affecting issue of passport as he told me as from Monday been 21/07/ 2014 they will be working 6 day a week. Interview lasted for 13mins
update
interview date:- 18/07/2014
What's your name and surname
spell your name and surname?
Are you known by any other name?
where do you work?
What is your wife's name?
Where did you meet your wife?
where did you guys married UK or Back home?
Your wife full name?
what did you want to do with the passport if you get it?
Have you got any holiday book yet?
Your father's name and date of birth?
Your mother's name and date of birth?
who is your counter signatory?
roughly how old is he and how long have you known him?
Describe which area of Bristol are living?
How many bank account have you got?
Where do you work and are you enjoying your job?
How long have been working there?
You can now sign here as the interview is finished
you will hear from us within 5 working days

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: First time (naturalised citizen)
Method of application: PO Check and Send
Date of application: 07/06/2014
SMS received: 12/06/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: 19/07/2014
Date of return of documents: waiting
Date of Passport Appointment: 23/07/2014 - London Victoria
Date of Passport Printing SMS received: not yet
Date of Passport Receipt: not yet