British Passport application processing timelines (only)

[jotter]

Update - SMS received

Passport for: Child
Application Type: 1st passport
Basis: Settled status of parent (EEA Permanent Residency)
Method of application: Postal
Date of application: 27/05/2014
Date application received by Passport Office (post tracking): 28/05/2014 (Durham office)
SMS received: 30/05/2014
Payment taken:
Date of return of documents:
Date of Passport Receipt:

[Wrightfamily]

4 Passport applications as follows:

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application: Postal
Date of application: 30/05/2014
Date application received by IPS:
Date of return of documents:
Date of receipt of interview letter:
Date of Passport Appointment:
Date of Passport Receipt:

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: Change in name
Method of application: Postal
Date of application: 30/05/2014
Date application received by IPS:
Date of return of documents:
Date of receipt of interview letter:
Date of Passport Appointment:
Date of Passport Receipt:

Passport for: Minor
Application Type: New
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 28/05/2014
Date application received by IPS: 29/05/2014
Date of return of documents:
Date of receipt of interview letter: n/a
Date of Passport Appointment: n/a
Date of Passport Receipt:

Passport for: Minor
Application Type: New
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 28/05/2014
Date application received by IPS: 29/05/2014
Date of return of documents:
Date of receipt of interview letter: n/a
Date of Passport Appointment: n/a
Date of Passport Receipt:

[EamerRed]

Hi guys,

I appreciate that this place is mainly for foreign nationals (I assume), but this appears to be the most active passport-related forum that I could find on the net so any advice would be much appreciated. I am a UK national that used to have a child passport, but I've applied for a full Adult passport.

I applied at end of March, but due to not being able to have my form signed by the correct person, and due to the wrong documentation being sent, finally I had my correct documentation arrive there on 14th May.

I called them Tuesday and I was told it is a 3-week turnaround (as I'm British), and they suggested an arrival of 4th June, but I called back today and they are now saying it will be 12th June! I appreciate it's entirely my own fault but I travel on 9th June . I'm so desperate for this, and the woman on the phone said she will escalate it and I will receive a call back within 2 working days, but I've read stories online of people hearing this and instead receiving no call.

Is there any recommended advice to try and get this through? Would be so appreciated! I'm guessing/hoping I shouldn't need an interview as I've had a passport before that expired and as I'm a UK National? Thanks so much.

Hi Eamered,

Sorry about the trouble you are having. Don't be surprised if you get much advice on here even though its an active thread, most people on here are just here to share their timeline and not much advice really as I have found out, probably because they don't have any to give or just because they couldn't be bothered, let me see if I can be of any help.

Seeing as you are traveling in roughly 10 days, I would advice you if you could to call the helpline and upgrade your application to a premium one if you can afford to seeing as your travel is booked. I made the same mistake, booked travel for 17th May but Passport never arrived, was 11 weeks yesterday when I got message passport is being printed but alas I missed my trip as a result and lost about £900+. I got my MP involved about 10 days ago when I got frustrated at waiting and calling and being promised someone will call back in 48 hours because I was promised that 6-8 times and it never happened.

Second option for you if you cannot afford the premium service is to Contact your MP ASAP, but ideally I would suggest you go down the premium upgrade route to avail yourself of the same disaster that I experienced.

Here is the number for the Durham office if you want 08456015175, I sometimes had to hold for 1 hour before the call was picked up, so be prepared.

Wishing you luck.

Legend thanks mate, I'll get on it!

[junk2014]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult First Time
Application Type: New (Registered Citizen)
Method of application: Online
Date of application: 24 Apr 2014 online, posted 29 Apr 2014
Date application received by HMPO: 1 May 2014 (Signed For)
Date of return of documents:
Date of receipt of interview letter:
Date of Passport Appointment:
Date of Passport Receipt:

Other Updates:
Date: 29 May 2014
Description: Received letter (dated 26 May 2014) saying that I had missed some sections of the form (which I don't think so as the online system says that you can't proceed to the next section without completing the current section). They sent a paper form and asked that I fill it in and send it back. Posted 30 May 2014

[BCMN1]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 29-05-2014
Date application received by IPS: tba
Date of return of documents: tba
Date of receipt of interview letter: tba
Date of Passport Appointment: tba
Date of Passport Receipt: tba

[skimatic]

Hi all,
Thanks for the great help on this board so far.
Here is my journey so far.. posting to also warn folks re the NEW BETA ONLINE SERVICE. Basically, there is a fault in the online form that is still not yet fixed when I last checked. Make sure you check that Section 4 (requesting parents' details) is included. In my case (and many before me based on the posts above), it was missing. 3 precious weeks later I got a 2nd class letter with a full paper form which i completed and sent express together with a letter requesting urgent processing based on planned travel and their website glitch. Thank the powers that be, I received my interview letter a week later..many calls later. Fingers crossed now!! Timelines below:
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New / Replacement / Renewal : First time
Method of application: Online beta
Date of application: 24/05
Date application received by IPS: None
Date of letter requesting full paper form to be completed: 23/05. Returned by express delivery: 24/05
Date of return of documents:
Date of receipt of interview letter: 30/05
Date of Passport Appointment: 02/06
Date of Passport Receipt:

[junk2014]

Application Timeline

Passport for: Adult First Time
Application Type: New (Registered Citizen)
Method of application: Online (BETA)
Date of application: 24 Apr 2014 online, posted 29 Apr 2014
Date application received by HMPO: 1 May 2014 (Signed For)
Date of return of documents:
Date of receipt of interview letter:
Date of Passport Appointment:
Date of Passport Receipt:

Other Updates:
Date: 29 May 2014
Description: Received letter (dated 26 May 2014) saying that I had missed some sections of the form (which I don't think so as the online system says that you can't proceed to the next section without completing the current section). They sent a paper form and asked that I fill it in and send it back. Posted 30 May 2014
As mentioned by Skimatic, it was the parents section that turned out to be missing.

Note to Mods, I couldn't edit my original post, no icon available

[farrukhnizam]

I had submitted my application on 17th May 2014 via Post Office check & send service and til date I haven't received any text. Is this normal? Should I contact the office and check if they have received the documents and are being looked into?

I had submitted my application on 12th of May and they received on 16th but I also haven't any sms about application.

[AlexClark75]

Application Timeline

Passport for: Adult First Time
Application Type: New (Registered Citizen)
Method of application: Online (BETA)
Date of application: 24 Apr 2014 online, posted 29 Apr 2014
Date application received by HMPO: 1 May 2014 (Signed For)
Date of return of documents:
Date of receipt of interview letter:
Date of Passport Appointment:
Date of Passport Receipt:

Other Updates:
Date: 29 May 2014
Description: Received letter (dated 26 May 2014) saying that I had missed some sections of the form (which I don't think so as the online system says that you can't proceed to the next section without completing the current section). They sent a paper form and asked that I fill it in and send it back. Posted 30 May 2014
As mentioned by Skimatic, it was the parents section that turned out to be missing.

Note to Mods, I couldn't edit my original post, no icon available

Same as you, and Skimatic I completed my form via ON LINE BETA .. on 16/05/2014 . However before sent all documentation and form, read here on the forum the problem about parents details. then add a extra page with the details of my parents what are :

Complete Names and Surname.
Date of Birth
Place of Birth
Date of Marriage
--------------------------
My appication has been received on 19/05/2014 . just notification by Royal Mail tracking
Glasgow Office. no sms received or any other nothification yet.

Agree: note to the admis . We cannot edit the original post .

[maximux79]

Application Type: New, first adult passport + child first passport
Method of application: check and send post office
Date of application: 31/05/2014
Date SMS Received:
Date of deduction of fees:
Date of return of documents:
Date of receipt of interview letter:
Date of interview appointment:
Date of SMS that Passport is being printed: Pending
Date of Passport Receipt: Pending

[aakkoo]

Application Type: baby first passport
Method of application: check and send post office
Date of application: 25/04/2014
Date SMS Received: 01/05/2014
Date of return of documents: Pending
Date of SMS that Passport is being printed: 29/05/2014
Date of Passport Received: 30/05/2014

[ron.d]

Hi all,
Thanks for the great help on this board so far.
Here is my journey so far.. posting to also warn folks re the NEW BETA ONLINE SERVICE. Basically, there is a fault in the online form that is still not yet fixed when I last checked. Make sure you check that Section 4 (requesting parents' details) is included. In my case (and many before me based on the posts above), it was missing. 3 precious weeks later I got a 2nd class letter with a full paper form which i completed and sent express together with a letter requesting urgent processing based on planned travel and their website glitch. Thank the powers that be, I received my interview letter a week later..many calls later. Fingers crossed now!! Timelines below:
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New / Replacement / Renewal : First time
Method of application: Online beta
Date of application: 24/05
Date application received by IPS: None
Date of letter requesting full paper form to be completed: 23/05. Returned by express delivery: 24/05
Date of return of documents:
Date of receipt of interview letter: 30/05
Date of Passport Appointment: 02/06
Date of Passport Receipt:

These people are a joke…from the beginning they have been. Thanks for sharing the info. Did you need to get your referee to sign the form again? Did you need to send additional sets of photos? Which address did you send your paper form to?

Thanks in advance.

[chingomingo]

Help needed.
As i want to apply for my first British passport with my family .Is it OK to send three months old photographs which i sent at the time of my naturalisation?

Many thanks in advance.

[chingomingo]

Help needed.
As i want to apply for my first British passport with my family .Is it OK to send three months old photographs which i sent at the time of my naturalisation? These photograps were taken from tesco Photo Booth.

Many thanks in advance.

[junk2014]

Help needed.
As i want to apply for my first British passport with my family .Is it OK to send three months old photographs which i sent at the time of my naturalisation? These photograps were taken from tesco Photo Booth.

Many thanks in advance.

Must be within 1 month, refer https://www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports

[BlueBull]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult First (Naturalization)
Application Type: New
Method of application: Post Office Check and Send
Date of application: 29th April 2014
Date application received by IPS: 2nd May 2014
Text Message Received: NEVER (found out about the application receipt by calling the 0300 call centre)
Date of return of documents: awaiting
Date of receipt of interview letter: awaiting
Date of Passport Appointment: awaiting
Date of Passport Receipt: awaiting

I am a frequent traveler (on business) and I've had to submit my current passport with the application. now i read in the news that passport office has a backlog of 300,000 applications. I am really worried as being stuck here can have damaging repercussions for my project and consequently for the career.

I called the 0300 call centre and requested them if by any means the application can be prioritized but it seems that's not possible for first application.

any useful advice from members of forum please? it will be highly appreciated.

you and me we have the same date of sending and being received by HMPS...I did not get the sms either and when i called them today they said that i should be receiving my interview letter any time now. i am so desperate

5 weeks since i applied and no update yet. If I had known it would take this long I'd have postponed my application. I have a very important job assignment and without my foreign passport I am stuck.

[jotter]

Update - Payment taken

Passport for: Child
Application Type: 1st passport
Basis: Settled status of parent (EEA Permanent Residency)
Method of application: Postal
Date of application: 27/05/2014
Date application received by Passport Office (post tracking): 28/05/2014 (Durham office)
SMS received: 30/05/2014
Payment taken: 30/05/2014
Date of return of documents:
Date of Passport Receipt:

[intripidfish]

Passport for: Child
Application Type: New
Method of application: Check & Send (Southampton)
Date of application: 30/05/2014
Acknowledgement Date application received : Waiting
Date of return of documents: Waiting
Date of receipt of interview letter: N/A
Date of Passport Appointment: N/A
Date of Passport Receipt: Waiting

[skimatic]

Hi all,
Thanks for the great help on this board so far.
Here is my journey so far.. posting to also warn folks re the NEW BETA ONLINE SERVICE. Basically, there is a fault in the online form that is still not yet fixed when I last checked. Make sure you check that Section 4 (requesting parents' details) is included. In my case (and many before me based on the posts above), it was missing. 3 precious weeks later I got a 2nd class letter with a full paper form which i completed and sent express together with a letter requesting urgent processing based on planned travel and their website glitch. Thank the powers that be, I received my interview letter a week later..many calls later. Fingers crossed now!! Timelines below:
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New / Replacement / Renewal : First time
Method of application: Online beta
Date of application: 24/05
Date application received by IPS: None
Date of letter requesting full paper form to be completed: 23/05. Returned by express delivery: 24/05
Date of return of documents:
Date of receipt of interview letter: 30/05
Date of Passport Appointment: 02/06
Date of Passport Receipt:

These people are a joke…from the beginning they have been. Thanks for sharing the info. Did you need to get your referee to sign the form again? Did you need to send additional sets of photos? Which address did you send your paper form to?

Thanks in advance.

Hi there, yes referee had to sign again, but no additional photos required if same referee. They gave me a pre-barcoded envelope addressed to the liverpool passport office; i think this ensures they tie it back to your original application so you don't start all over again. I included a letter explaining the glitch in the system. Hope that helps! Good luck!

[ei]

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 02.05.2014
Date application received by IPS: SMS received on 08.05.2014
Date of return of documents: waiting
Date of receipt of interview letter: 29.05.2014 (dated 27.05.2014)
Date of Passport Appointment: 03.06.2014
Date of Passport Receipt: waiting

[Dr MS]

Method of Application: Post Office check & send
Date of Application: 06/05/2014
Date of Application Received by IPS: 11/05/2014
Date of SMS Received: 12/05/2014
Date of Fees deduction: 06/05/2014
Date of Receipt of Interview Letter: NEVER
Date of Return of Documents: awaiting
Date of Interview booked: 30/05/2014
Date of Passport Receipt: 02/06/2014 alhamdullelah

Thanks a lot for every one, especially man4uni and Amber.

Good luck everyone

[newbie_t]

Method of Application: Post Office check & send
Date of Application: 06/05/2014
Date of Application Received by IPS: 11/05/2014
Date of SMS Received: 12/05/2014
Date of Fees deduction: 06/05/2014
Date of Receipt of Interview Letter: NEVER
Date of Return of Documents: awaiting
Date of Interview booked: 30/05/2014
Date of Passport Receipt: 02/06/2014 alhamdullelah

Thanks a lot for every one, especially man4uni and Amber.

Good luck everyone

Congratualtions Dr MS.

May I ask you, if you haven't got an interview letter, how did you manage to get an interview?

[Dr MS]

Method of Application: Post Office check & send
Date of Application: 06/05/2014
Date of Application Received by IPS: 11/05/2014
Date of SMS Received: 12/05/2014
Date of Fees deduction: 06/05/2014
Date of Receipt of Interview Letter: NEVER
Date of Return of Documents: awaiting
Date of Interview booked: 30/05/2014
Date of Passport Receipt: 02/06/2014 alhamdullelah

Thanks a lot for every one, especially man4uni and Amber.

Good luck everyone

Congratualtions Dr MS.

May I ask you, if you haven't got an interview letter, how did you manage to get an interview?

Thanks a lot newbie_t

You can phone them and if your application is passed then they will give you the reference number over the phone, just ask them. Good luck!

[newbie_t]

Method of Application: Post Office check & send
Date of Application: 06/05/2014
Date of Application Received by IPS: 11/05/2014
Date of SMS Received: 12/05/2014
Date of Fees deduction: 06/05/2014
Date of Receipt of Interview Letter: NEVER
Date of Return of Documents: awaiting
Date of Interview booked: 30/05/2014
Date of Passport Receipt: 02/06/2014 alhamdullelah

Thanks a lot for every one, especially man4uni and Amber.

Good luck everyone

Congratualtions Dr MS.

May I ask you, if you haven't got an interview letter, how did you manage to get an interview?

Thanks a lot newbie_t

You can phone them and if your application is passed then they will give you the reference number over the phone, just ask them. Good luck!

Thank you.

I rang them on Friday just to check whether my application is on-course to meet the 6 week deadline for first adult passport. The lady said it doesn't seem to be..they have a huge backlog.

I got travel plans on 24th June, so fingers crossed!!

[ISHamid]

[quote="ISHamid"][quote="ISHamid"]Passport for: Adult Application
Type: New Naturalised
Method of application: Check and Send Service (Canary Wharf, London)
Date of application: 14-04-2014
Date sms received : 18-04-2014
Date of return of documents: 13-05-2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: 10-05-2014
Date of Passport Appointment: 12-05-2014
Date of Passport Receipt: 30-05-2014, DX claims they have attempted to deliver my passport a couple of times sooner, yet someone was in the flat in both occasions, also I did not get any cards from them!
Anyway, its done now, good luck everyone, I will not check this website again, so if you want to ask me anything feel free to email, yet to be honest everthing is explained here many times.