British Passport application processing timelines (only)

[specbeb]

Method of application: Online (First Adult)
Passport office: Hemel Hempstead
Application submitted: 02/03/2025
Application received: 02/03/2025
Documents posted: 03/03/2025 (Royal Mail Special Delivery)
Documents delivered: 04/03/2025 07:58AM
Documents acknowledged: 07/03/2025 ( Only got updated on the tracker after I reached out to the webchat agent asking for an update. I provided my RM tracking number after which it got acknowledged on the tracker but no email )
Application approved: 13/03/2025
Passport printed: 14/03/2025
Passport dispatched: 14/03/2025
Passport received: 15/03/2025
Documents returned: 19/03/2025

On 13/03/2025 The documents were still not scanned onto the application. We used the online enquiry form instead of the webchat, with a clear and urgent message specifying our travel dates and requesting immediate escalation to have them scanned. We received a response the same day, the issue was escalated, and the documents were finally scanned into the application.

Method of application: Online (First Adult)
Passport office: Hemel Hempstead
Application submitted: 02/03/2025
Application received: 02/03/2025
Documents posted: 03/03/2025 (Royal Mail Special Delivery)
Documents delivered: 04/03/2025 07:58AM
Documents acknowledged: 07/03/2025 ( Only got updated on the tracker after I reached out to the webchat agent asking for an update. I provided my RM tracking number after which it got acknowledged on the tracker but no email )
Application approved: Pending
Passport printed: Pending
Passport dispatched: Pending
Passport received: Pending
Documents returned: Pending

On 10/03/2025 I got an automated email saying "we are waiting for your documents" !! and saying they will withdraw application by end of April if they don't get it. Checking with the webchat agent again she said the documents are in an "other department" awaiting to be sent to the officer to scan it to the application ,after which I should get a notification. Still waiting, nerve-racking experiance !

Method of application: Online (First Adult)
Passport office: Hemel Hempstead
Application submitted: 02/03/2025
Application received: 02/03/2025
Documents posted: 03/03/2025 (Royal Mail Special Delivery)
Documents delivered: 04/03/2025 07:58AM
Documents acknowledged: Pending
Application approved: Pending
Passport printed: Pending
Passport dispatched: Pending
Passport received: Pending
Documents returned: Pending

[jwhite888]

First adult passport after naturalisation as EU citizen

Application submitted: 10 March 2025
Email sent to person confirming identity: 10 March 2025
Identity details received: 11 March 2025
Application received: 11 March 2025
Documents posted: 12 March 2025 (Royal Mail 24h tracked)
Documents delivered: 13 March 2025
Documents acknowledged: 14 March 2025
Application approved: 19 March 2025
Passport printed: pending
Passport dispatched: pending
Passport received: pending
Documents returned: pending

[nuaaxiayu]

First minor passport after registration

Passport for: child
Method of application: Online
Passport office: Hemel Hempstead (sent together with the parent's application)
Application submitted: 03/03/2025
Email sent to person confirming identity: 03/03/2025
Identity details received: 03/03/2025
Application received: 03/03/2025
Documents posted: 03/03/2025 (Royal Mail Special Delivery)
Documents delivered: 04/03/2025
Documents acknowledged: 10/03/2025
Application approved: 11/03/2025
Passport printed: 12/03/2025
Passport dispatched: 12/03/2025
Passport received: 13/03/2025
Documents returned: 18/03/2025

[nuaaxiayu]

Application Timeline, first adult passport after naturalisation
Passport for: Adult
Method of application: Online
Passport office: Hemel Hempstead
Application submitted: 03/03/2025
Email sent to person confirming identity: 03/03/2025
Identity details received: 03/03/2025
Application received: 03/03/2025
Documents posted: 03/03/2025 (Royal Mail Special delivery)
Documents delivered: 04/03/2025
Documents acknowledged: 10/03/2025
Application approved: 14/03/2025
Passport printed: 15/03/2025
Passport dispatched: 17/03/2025
Passport received: 18/03/2025
Documents returned: 18/03/2025

[harry_11]

Method of application: Online (First Adult)
Passport office: Hemel Hempstead
Application submitted: 11/03/2025
Email sent to person confirming identity: 12/03/2025
Identity details received: 12/03/2025
Application received: 12/03/2025
Documents posted: 13/03/2025 (Royal Mail Special Delivery by 1pm)
Documents delivered: 14/03/2025
Documents acknowledged: Pending
Application approved: Pending
Passport printed: Pending
Passport received: Pending
Documents returned: Pending

[Zad93]

Method of application: Online (First Adult)
Passport office: Hemel Hempstead
Application submitted: 28/02/2025
Email sent to person confirming identity: 28/02/2025
Identity details received: 28/02/2025
Application received: 28/02/2025
Documents posted: 02/03/2025 (Royal Mail Special Delivery by 1pm)
Documents delivered: 04/03/2025
Documents acknowledged: 11/03/2025
Application approved: 13/03/2025
Passport printed: 14/03/2025
Passport received: 15/03/2025
Documents returned: 15/03/2025

[nuaaxiayu]

First minor passport after registration

Passport for: child
Method of application: Online
Passport office: Hemel Hempstead (sent together with the parent's application)
Application submitted: 03/03/2025
Email sent to person confirming identity: 03/03/2025
Identity details received: 03/03/2025
Application received: 03/03/2025
Documents posted: 03/03/2025 (Royal Mail Special Delivery)
Documents delivered: 04/03/2025
Documents acknowledged: 10/03/2025
Application approved: 11/03/2025
Passport printed: 12/03/2025
Passport dispatched: 12/03/2025
Passport received: 13/03/2025
Documents returned: pending

[jrmaciel]

Application Timeline, first passport after naturalisation
Passport for: Adult
Method of application: Online
Passport office: Corby
Application submitted: 16 Feb 25
Email sent to person confirming identity: 17 Feb 25
Identity details received: 17 Feb 25
Application received: 17 Feb 25

[pause in process as needed non-UK passport to travel]

Documents posted: 04 Mar 25 (Royal Mail Special delivery)
Documents delivered: 05 Mar 25
Documents acknowledged: 06 Mar 25
Application approved: 08 Mar 25
Passport printed: 11 Mar 25
Passport dispatched: 11 Mar 25
Passport received: 12 Mar 25
Documents returned: 13 Mar 25

Really speedy after I came back from abroad!

Thank you SO MUCH to everyone on this forum.

[Paramecio91]

EU-UK citizen, naturalised in Jan-23. Had heard horror stories about waiting times but was reassured by the timelines I read here and also by a friend who had the UK passport and the EU passport back in 8 days... for now it has not been a good choice and cannot really sleep until I receive back my EU passport.

First adult passport after naturalisation
Passport Office: Hemel Hempstead
Method of application: Online
Application submitted: 09/02/2025
Email sent to person confirming identity: 09/02/2025
Identity details received: 10/02/2025
Application received: 10/02/2025
Documents posted: 11/02/2025 (Royal Mail Special delivery)
Documents delivered:12/02/2025
Documents acknowledged: 13/02/2025
Sunday 16/02/2025: I got an email requesting more evidence, in particular they wanted "the passport you used to travel to the country that is now your home". Messaged them immediately through the webchat, apparently they wanted the EU passport that I used to enter the UK in 2015 (which expired in 2021). Told them that I don't have it anymore, they said an examiner is going to take a look at the case.
19/02/2025 I receive an email saying I need to book an appointment for a "routine passport interview". I call and the first appointment is on 4th of March. It's online via Microsoft Teams. The gentleman on the phone explains me that this is due to my naturalisation date being more than 12 months ago. he also says that after the interview I should receive my new passport in 7-10 working days.
I told him I need to travel to EU for work in mid-March and he said I can request my EU passport back sending an email to a certain email address which I did immediately. According to the gentleman this does not affect my application
20/02/2025 called the booking line again and managed to get the interview moved to 27/02/2025
27/02/2025 "routine passport interview" booked

to be continued....

27/02/2025 interview done in the morning
27/02/2025 in the afternoon received an email saying I need to book an interview. Called immediately and the agent says “it’s a glitch in the system”. Left a note on my file.
28/02/2025 received an email saying I need to book an interview. Called immediately and the agent was puzzled, reiterates that I don’t need another interview.
1/03/2025 I receive my EU passport that I requested back on 19/02. End of a nightmare that should have never started.

06/03/2025 received another email prompting me to book an interview. called and the lady says to ignore these email going forward. Asked for an update on my application (3 weeks since docs received, 1 week since interview) but she did not really have any, just been told to wait.

07/03/2025 got a call from HMPO. The agent seemed more important than the others, said that she “unblocked” my application as the system kept asking for an intw and did not allow my application to go further. Lol I did not know whether to laugh or cry thinking about all taxes we pay to this circus.
07/03/2025 at 8pm application approved
10/03/2025 passport printed and shipped
11/03/2025 passport delivered
Now only missing the naturalisation certificate.

Honestly the whole process is grotesque. Will leave it here so that other people might think twice before sending their EU passport into this black hole.

[karthick9500]

Method of application: Online (First Adult)
Passport office: Hemel Hempstead
Application submitted: 26/02/2025
Application received: 26/02/2025
Documents posted: 26/02/2025 (Royal Mail Special Delivery)
Documents delivered: 27/03/2025 07:02AM
Documents acknowledged: 05/03/2025 ( Manually updated instantly while chatting with support person )
Application approved: Pending
Passport printed: Pending
Passport dispatched: Pending
Passport received: Pending
Documents returned: Pending

They scanned only conterpart signature form as of yet. other documents are yet to be scanned through the system before the caseworker start to work on it. terrible experience for me.
Initially they told me like they coudnt locate my other documents at all.

[specbeb]

Method of application: Online (First Adult)
Passport office: Hemel Hempstead
Application submitted: 02/03/2025
Application received: 02/03/2025
Documents posted: 03/03/2025 (Royal Mail Special Delivery)
Documents delivered: 04/03/2025 07:58AM
Documents acknowledged: 07/03/2025 ( Only got updated on the tracker after I reached out to the webchat agent asking for an update. I provided my RM tracking number after which it got acknowledged on the tracker but no email )
Application approved: Pending
Passport printed: Pending
Passport dispatched: Pending
Passport received: Pending
Documents returned: Pending

On 10/03/2025 I got an automated email saying "we are waiting for your documents" !! and saying they will withdraw application by end of April if they don't get it. Checking with the webchat agent again she said the documents are in an "other department" awaiting to be sent to the officer to scan it to the application ,after which I should get a notification. Still waiting, nerve-racking experiance !

Method of application: Online (First Adult)
Passport office: Hemel Hempstead
Application submitted: 02/03/2025
Application received: 02/03/2025
Documents posted: 03/03/2025 (Royal Mail Special Delivery)
Documents delivered: 04/03/2025 07:58AM
Documents acknowledged: Pending
Application approved: Pending
Passport printed: Pending
Passport dispatched: Pending
Passport received: Pending
Documents returned: Pending

[amos1234]

Application Timeline, first passport after naturalisation

Passport for: Adult
Method of application: Online
Passport office: Hemel Hempstead
Application submitted: 19/02/2025 (3:30 pm)
Email sent to person confirming identity: 20/02/2025 (8:06am ; the First person I asked was declined as he apparently didn't meet the requirement, even if on paper he did, and no justification was given)
Identity details received: 20/02/2025 (8:10 am)
Application received: 20/02/2025 (8:10 am)
Documents posted: 20/02/2025 (9:48 am ; Royal Mail Special delivery)
Documents delivered: 21/02/2025 (8:31 am)
Documents acknowledged: 24/02/2025 (8:14 am)
Application approved: pending (Passport Advice Line mentioned there was a mistake in my Certificate of Naturalisation, the examiner asked for clarification to UKVI Office on 24/02/2025, 2 weeks later they have not heard back)
Passport printed: pending
Passport dispatched: pending
Passport received: pending
Documents returned: pending (Please look at my comments below)

Request for supporting documents to be returned on 27/02/2025:
I contacted the Passport Advice Line (PAL) to return my documents as I needed to travel on 07/03/2025 due to an unplanned critical business meeting. They mentioned that this should be possible by submitting a request to CSMTupload@hmpo.gov.uk. I immediately sent the request and got an automated email saying that the request would be actioned in 2 working days, which should have been on 03/03/2025, giving me plenty of time.

After this, the CSMT (Customer Service Management Team) went silent. They acknowledge my email on 03/03/2025 in their internal system but until today (1 week later) they have not sent my documents. This is even calling twice per day to the PAL, and multiple agents messaging directly the CSMT Team saying this was urgent. PAL agents have been very helpful confirming that this is usually an easy process, but the CSMT has constantly ignored their messages.

On 05/03/2025 an agent raised an internal escalation, and the CSMT Team was supposed to call me directly that day or the following morning. I did not get the call until Friday (07/03/2025), the CSMT Agent told me that she would escalate further and ask for an immediate processing of my request. I called again and as of today (10/03/2025) at 3 pm, an agent confirmed that she can see the actioning request in the system but the documents have not yet been sent.

As you can imagine I'm incredibly frustrated as not only this should have been an easy request on paper, but given the CSMT Team inefficency, I lost a lot of money on plane tickets and further changes, not counting the fact that I have a contract at risk given my inability to travel these days. The CSMT offered a turnaround time of 2 days, and it's now more than 10 days without an answer. An agent advised me to raise an Official Complaint in the government's website, which I did last week, but they take up 15 working days to give an answer, which is useless in this situation.

[nuaaxiayu]

Application Timeline, first passport after naturalisation
Passport for: Adult
Method of application: Online
Passport office: Hemel Hempstead
Application submitted: 03/03/2025
Email sent to person confirming identity: 03/03/2025
Identity details received: 03/03/2025
Application received: 03/03/2025
Documents posted: 03/03/2025 (Royal Mail Special delivery)
Documents delivered: 04/03/2025
Documents acknowledged: 10/03/2025
Application approved: pending
Passport printed: pending
Passport dispatched: pending
Passport received: pending
Documents returned: pending

I called HMPO helpline on 10/03/2025 for update, and they asked me for my Royal Mail special delivery tracking number, then after a few moments when I checked the passport tracking website, it shows HMPO has received my posted documents.

[specbeb]

Method of application: Online (First Adult)
Passport office: Hemel Hempstead
Application submitted: 02/03/2025
Application received: 02/03/2025
Documents posted: 03/03/2025 (Royal Mail Special Delivery)
Documents delivered: 04/03/2025 07:58AM
Documents acknowledged: Pending
Application approved: Pending
Passport printed: Pending
Passport dispatched: Pending
Passport received: Pending
Documents returned: Pending

[YakovD]

First adult passport after naturalisation

Method of application: Online
Passport office: Hemel Hempstead
Application submitted: 24/02/2025 (right after the ceremony)
Email sent to person confirming identity: 24/02/2025
Identity details received: 24/02/2025
Application received: 24/02/2025
Documents posted: 25/02/2025 (Royal Mail 24h Tracked)
Documents delivered: 26/02/2025
Documents acknowledged: 27/02/2025
Application approved: 2/03/2025 (Sunday at 8:11 )
Passport printed: 3/03/2025 (tracking shows that this was at 9pm, but likely it's late tracking before because by that point I already received a notification from Royal Mail saying they have it).
Passport dispatched: 3/03/2025
Passport received: 4/03/2025
Documents returned: 5/03/2025

The returned naturalisation certificate looks as if they chewed it and spit out (I paid for secure delivery). But overall, the whole process took just over a week, so I am happy.

[Konfetka94]

Method of application: Online
Passport office: Corby
Application submitted: 19/02/2025
Email sent to person confirming identity: 19/02/2025
Identity details received: 19/02/2025
Application received: 19/02/2025
Documents posted: 19/02/2025 (Royal Mail Special delivery)
Documents delivered: 23/02/2025
Documents acknowledged: 25/02/2025
Application approved: 26/02/2025
Passport printed: 27/02/2025
Passport dispatched: 27/02/2025
Passport received: 28/02/2025
Documents returned: 6/03/2025

[Paramecio91]

EU-UK citizen, naturalised in Jan-23. Had heard horror stories about waiting times but was reassured by the timelines I read here and also by a friend who had the UK passport and the EU passport back in 8 days... for now it has not been a good choice and cannot really sleep until I receive back my EU passport.

First adult passport after naturalisation
Passport Office: Hemel Hempstead
Method of application: Online
Application submitted: 09/02/2025
Email sent to person confirming identity: 09/02/2025
Identity details received: 10/02/2025
Application received: 10/02/2025
Documents posted: 11/02/2025 (Royal Mail Special delivery)
Documents delivered:12/02/2025
Documents acknowledged: 13/02/2025
Sunday 16/02/2025: I got an email requesting more evidence, in particular they wanted "the passport you used to travel to the country that is now your home". Messaged them immediately through the webchat, apparently they wanted the EU passport that I used to enter the UK in 2015 (which expired in 2021). Told them that I don't have it anymore, they said an examiner is going to take a look at the case.
19/02/2025 I receive an email saying I need to book an appointment for a "routine passport interview". I call and the first appointment is on 4th of March. It's online via Microsoft Teams. The gentleman on the phone explains me that this is due to my naturalisation date being more than 12 months ago. he also says that after the interview I should receive my new passport in 7-10 working days.
I told him I need to travel to EU for work in mid-March and he said I can request my EU passport back sending an email to a certain email address which I did immediately. According to the gentleman this does not affect my application
20/02/2025 called the booking line again and managed to get the interview moved to 27/02/2025
27/02/2025 "routine passport interview" booked

to be continued....

27/02/2025 interview done in the morning
27/02/2025 in the afternoon received an email saying I need to book an interview. Called immediately and the agent says “it’s a glitch in the system”. Left a note on my file.
28/02/2025 received an email saying I need to book an interview. Called immediately and the agent was puzzled, reiterates that I don’t need another interview.
1/03/2025 I receive my EU passport that I requested back on 19/02. End of a nightmare that should have never started.

06/03/2025 received another email prompting me to book an interview. called and the lady says to ignore these email going forward. Asked for an update on my application (3 weeks since docs received, 1 week since interview) but she did not really have any, just been told to wait.

[nuaaxiayu]

First minor passport after registration

Passport for: child
Method of application: Online
Passport office: Hemel Hempstead (sent together with the parent's application)
Application submitted: 03/03/2025
Email sent to person confirming identity: 03/03/2025
Identity details received: 03/03/2025
Application received: 03/03/2025
Documents posted: 03/03/2025 (Royal Mail Special delivery)
Documents delivered: pending
Documents acknowledged: pending
Application approved: pending
Passport printed: pending
Passport dispatched: pending
Passport received: pending
Documents returned: pending

[nuaaxiayu]

Application Timeline, first passport after naturalisation
Passport for: Adult
Method of application: Online
Passport office: Hemel Hempstead
Application submitted: 03/03/2025
Email sent to person confirming identity: 03/03/2025
Identity details received: 03/03/2025
Application received: 03/03/2025
Documents posted: 03/03/2025 (Royal Mail Special delivery)
Documents delivered: pending
Documents acknowledged: pending
Application approved: pending
Passport printed: pending
Passport dispatched: pending
Passport received: pending
Documents returned: pending

[Paramecio91]

EU-UK citizen, naturalised in Jan-23. Had heard horror stories about waiting times but was reassured by the timelines I read here and also by a friend who had the UK passport and the EU passport back in 8 days... for now it has not been a good choice and cannot really sleep until I receive back my EU passport.

First adult passport after naturalisation
Passport Office: Hemel Hempstead
Method of application: Online
Application submitted: 09/02/2025
Email sent to person confirming identity: 09/02/2025
Identity details received: 10/02/2025
Application received: 10/02/2025
Documents posted: 11/02/2025 (Royal Mail Special delivery)
Documents delivered:12/02/2025
Documents acknowledged: 13/02/2025
Sunday 16/02/2025: I got an email requesting more evidence, in particular they wanted "the passport you used to travel to the country that is now your home". Messaged them immediately through the webchat, apparently they wanted the EU passport that I used to enter the UK in 2015 (which expired in 2021). Told them that I don't have it anymore, they said an examiner is going to take a look at the case.
19/02/2025 I receive an email saying I need to book an appointment for a "routine passport interview". I call and the first appointment is on 4th of March. It's online via Microsoft Teams. The gentleman on the phone explains me that this is due to my naturalisation date being more than 12 months ago. he also says that after the interview I should receive my new passport in 7-10 working days.
I told him I need to travel to EU for work in mid-March and he said I can request my EU passport back sending an email to a certain email address which I did immediately. According to the gentleman this does not affect my application
20/02/2025 called the booking line again and managed to get the interview moved to 27/02/2025
27/02/2025 "routine passport interview" booked

to be continued....

27/02/2025 interview done in the morning
27/02/2025 in the afternoon received an email saying I need to book an interview. Called immediately and the agent says “it’s a glitch in the system”. Left a note on my file.
28/02/2025 received an email saying I need to book an interview. Called immediately and the agent was puzzled, reiterates that I don’t need another interview.
1/03/2025 I receive my EU passport that I requested back on 19/02. End of a nightmare that should have never started.

[GeorgiosLeeds]

Application Timeline, first passport after naturalisation
Passport for: Adult
Method of application: Online
Passport office: Corby
Application submitted: 13 Feb 25
Email sent to person confirming identity: 13 Feb 25
Identity details received: 13 Feb 25
Application received: 13 Feb 25
Documents posted: 13 Feb 25 (Royal Mail Special delivery)
Documents delivered: 14 Feb 25
Documents acknowledged: 20 Feb 25
Application approved: 23 Feb 2025
Passport printed: 25 Feb 2025
Passport dispatched: 25 Feb 2025
Passport received: 26 Feb 2025
Documents returned: 26 Feb 2025

[Will_2021]

Method of application: Online
Application submitted: 17/02/2025
Email sent to person confirming identity: 17/02/2025
Identity details received: 17/02/2025
Application received: 17/02/2025
Documents posted: 18/02/2025 (Royal Mail Special delivery)
Documents delivered:19/02/2025
Documents acknowledged:21/02/2025
Application approved: 24/02/2025
Passport printed: 25/02/2025
Passport dispatched:25/02/2025
Passport received:26/02/2025
Documents returned: 27/02/2025

[thesmith]

First adult passport after naturalisation from ILR

Method of application: Online
Passport office: Corby
Application submitted: 22/01/2025
Email sent to person confirming identity: 22/01/2025
Identity details received: 22/01/2025
Application received: 22/01/2025
Documents posted: 23/01/2025 (Royal Mail Special delivery)
Documents delivered: 24/01/2025
Documents acknowledged: 28/01/2025
Application approved: 24/02/2025
Passport printed: 25/02/2025
Passport dispatched: 25/02/2025
Passport received: 26/02/2025
Documents returned: 27/02/2025

[mdj00m]

First Adult passport after Naturalisation
Method of application: Online
Passport office: Hemel Hempstead

Passport and Support documents received: 26 February 2025
Passport printed: 2:18am on 25 February 2025
Application approved: 9:06am on 22 February 2025
Documents received: 11:40am on 18 February 2025 (chased after no updates on the 17th and 18th where they manually set it to "received" -- the webchat folks were, if I am honest, quite terse and borderline rude)
Royal Mail delivered: 13 Febraury 2025
Application received: 12:27pm on 12 February 2025
Identity details received: 12:27pm on 12 February 2025 (they couldn't find their passport that's why there was a delay )
Email sent to person confirming your identity: 12:15pm on 12 February 2025
Ask someone to confirm your identity: 12:10pm on 12 February 2025
Application submitted: 12:10pm on 12 February 2025

Happy it is all over and very thankful for everyone on this board! (I had to chase HO after naturalisation wasn't approved within 6 months. Wrote my MP. Also requested SAR raised a complaint (both of which took more than the 30 days they said it should take ))

[fler77]

First adult passport after naturalisation from EU Settled Status

Method of application: Online
Passport office: Corby
Application submitted: 07/02/2025
Email sent to person confirming identity: 07/02/2025
Identity details received: 07/02/2025
Application received: 07/02/2025
Documents posted: 08/02/2025 (Royal Mail Special delivery)
Documents delivered: 11/02/2025
Documents acknowledged: 13/02/2025
Application approved: 15/02/2025
Passport printed: 18/02/2025
Passport dispatched: 18/02/2025
Passport received: 19/02/2025
Documents returned: 20/02/2025