British Passport application processing timelines (only)

[chavade]

Hi, as i sent my application almost 4 weeks ago i recently sent an inquiry by mail.
They reply me yesterday (1 day later) by asking my birthdate and when did i sent my application .
I'm worried , why they ask that? Do you think they lost my application or have doubt about me?
Thanking you in advance.

[ABT]

Today I sent an email to track my application. I did get an answer after couple of hours saying that my papers are in Durham office since 01/07/14. (22 days now)
Next week I plan to call them to enquire about the interview reference number.
I wish all the best to everyone who booked holiday...

[phospholipid]

Interview complete! Journey over Good luck to the rest

[BC_Applicant]

[quote="nickduk"]
Date of Passport Appointment: 09/08/2014 (earliest appointment available in London area [Crawley])


it might be possible to get an earlier appointment by phoning again as appointments keep becoming available after cancellations. I rescheduled mine thrice!

[Jav13]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 17.07.2014
Date application received by IPS: text received 23.07.14
Date of return of documents:
Date of receipt of interview letter:
Date of Passport Appointment:
Date of Passport Receipt:

[Betitoo]

[quote="Betitoo"]Date of Application: 03/06/2014
Date of Application Received by IPS: 06/06/2014 (Liverpool Office)
Date of SMS Received: 09/06/2014
Date of Fees deduction: Check and Send at post office
Date of Receipt of Interview Letter: 16/07/2014 (15/07/2014 - Had a phone call from Liverpool office for interview ref number )
Date of Interview booked: 17/07/2014
Date of Passport Printing SMS received: 18/07/2014
Date of Passport Receipt:23/07/2014 ( received my first UK passport with supporting docs)

Thanks forum for very valuable informations here.... This journey ends here for me.. I wish you luck guys..

[nickduk]

Passport for: Adult x2
Application Type: First time (naturalised citizen)
Method of application: Check and Send
Date of application: 10/06/2014
SMS received: 13/06/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: 22/07/2014 (came with returned docs)
Date of return of documents: 22/07/2014
Date of Passport Appointment: 09/08/2014 (earliest appointment available in London area [Crawley])
Date of Passport Printing SMS received: waiting
Date of Passport Receipt: waiting

So it was 42 days from the start date to the receipt of passport invitation.

No intervention from MP, no telephone calls to the Passport office. I just left it alone hoping it would just be dealt with and it was.

[Daymohktim]

I attended the passport interview today.

Make sure you memorise the information you put on both passport application and naturalisation.

There is nothing to worry about the interview itself. The atmosphere is friendly and there will be othe people like yourself who are there for interview as well.

[etoklem]

Update

Application Type: New
Method of application: Check and Send
Date of application: 03/06/2014
Date SMS Received: Not Yet
Date application received: Did an online enquiry and got a response today saying it was received at Peterborough office on 05/06
Date of return of documents:16/07/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: Never (but got an email confirmation after chasing on 16/07/2014)
Date of interview appointment: 19/07/2014 at Reading Passport office
Date of SMS that Passport is being printed:21/07/2014
Date of Passport Receipt:22/07/2014

Called up the helpline again on 03002220000 this morning and told them this is my 6 weeks complete and have heard nothing. The guy was helpful and said I can call the interview line and book an appointment. I called up the interview line and they booked an appointment and sent me an email confirmation immediately. Looks like if I hadn't called them today - I would still be waiting
............

Update: Got back my supporting documents today - 16/07/2014 at my work address via DX Secure as I had requested both docs and passport at work address.

Update: received passport 22/07 thanks everybody!

[BC_Applicant]

This seems to me ODD to contact MP. Why will HO speed up application process after getting MP's message? All should have the same priority and first come first serve basis. ODD tradition.

I agree with you but to be honest this is what it has come down to unfortunately! They are sitting on the applications and not providing enough information and only on MPs contact do they actually do something about it.

[Somudro]

This seems to me ODD to contact MP. Why will HO speed up application process after getting MP's message? All should have the same priority and first come first serve basis. ODD tradition.

[CD_April2013ILR]

Passport for: 2 Adults (Myself and Wife)
Application Type: First time (Naturalised Citizens)
Method of application: PO Check and Send
Date of application: 23/06/2014
SMS received: 30/06/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: Waiting
Date of return of documents: Waiting
Date of Passport Appointment: Waiting
Date of Passport Printing SMS received: Waiting
Date of Passport Receipt: Waiting

Thank you

[lea123]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application: Postal - Recorded
Date of application: Sent 6/6/14
Date application received by IPS: Recorded post 7/6/14
Date of SMS confirmation: 10/6/14

Received a letter advising the the payment sent with my application was invalid and was advised to call 0300 222 1111 to pay by debit card. Called at 6pm, automated service said everyone was busy so opted for the call back service. 8.25pm now and heard nothing. Tried again, still have the 'everyone's busy' message

Date of return of documents: n/a
Date of receipt of interview letter: n/a
Date of Passport Appointment: n/a
Date of Passport Receipt: n/a

Oh, and I believe my application is at the Liverpool office, as this is where the recorded delivery shows it being recieved.

Okay. So. I rang about a week and half - two weeks ago on the main helpline. Spoke to a wman named Lydia who said that it was sitting in the examination process and had been since the 16th June. She was talking though the stages and said the next stage would be printing. Pretty shocked, i asked whould I not need an interview. She said no, said it would be with me by the 20th.

So i got to work today, fed up because still no sign of it. So i rang again. Spoke to someone called Liam who said it had been in the examination process for 5 weeks today, said that it was a strange length of time because its not normal for it to be that long. So he said he'd contact the more in depth side unless he was on for more than a minute in which case I'd be passed through myself.

So im sitting there, waiting, and the phone gets picked up with a very rude "What?" So i apologised and explained the situation. Woman on the other end huffed and took details, looked at a few more things and said "No, you've been told incorrect information. You will need an interview. Whn is it you're aiming to travel." So i told her - 4th september - and she just turns around and says "WEll, it could be another 4 weeks before they ask you to an interview so you can forget travellling then. Its just no feasable. need to wait and called back in 4 weeks if you've not heard anything. You're chasing too soon." I asked if there was nothing they could do/advise and she just said "No. You're being unreasonable chasing this early." And basically, put the phone down. (I understand, this is probably tainted from my view of the conversation but i assure you, this is actually what happened)

They've had it 7 weeks this week, and frankly, the way ive just been spoken to is not okay. I'm giving it an hour or so, Then thinking i'll either calling back and complaining, or calling the liverpool office direct and see whats happening their side or something. I dont know. It's just a joke!! I know we're all in the same boat but still. If what i've been told is the right information, it looks like I'm not going on our honeymoon, a year later already.

I know it doesnt help the situation with you, but my application was just a day ahead of yours, and i received my letter on friday.. So there is still hope and a chance it may come soon!

Id advise you to contact your MP, as i did (and although the mp said it was too soon to chase it, they did call the passport office) and i received my letter 3 days later.. Coincidence or not its worth a try

[runie80]

wow 4 weeks turnaround with interview is impressive (considering the op didn't hassle or chased them.)
Lets hope Durham office is quick and we all hear something quick.

I think once 3 weeks have passed one should contact them as suggested here by people but some of the horror stories here are really shocking of people waiting 8 to 10 weeks and still no response.

[ashpan23]

Passport for: Adult+Child
Application Type: First time (Naturalised Citizen)
Method of application: PO Check and Send
Date of application: 01/07/2014
SMS received: 07/07/2014 (Durham Office)
Date of receipt of interview letter: Waiting [Called on 21/07 to Durham office for normal enquiry. 22/07 Caseworker called me and provided the reference number and advised I can book the interview straight away.]
Date of return of documents: Waiting
Date of Passport Appointment: 24/07/2014 - Edinburgh Office
Date of Passport Printing SMS received:
Date of Passport Receipt:

That's very quick! Did you use 0300 222 0000 for your enquiry?

It's 08456015175 ... and waiting time was around 1 hr.. I just asked to return my old passport for travel.

[muzammil1124]

Passport for: Adult+Child
Application Type: First time (Naturalised Citizen)
Method of application: PO Check and Send
Date of application: 01/07/2014
SMS received: 07/07/2014 (Durham Office)
Date of receipt of interview letter: Waiting [Called on 21/07 to Durham office for normal enquiry. 22/07 Caseworker called me and provided the reference number and advised I can book the interview straight away.]
Date of return of documents: Waiting
Date of Passport Appointment: 24/07/2014 - Edinburgh Office
Date of Passport Printing SMS received:
Date of Passport Receipt:

Congrats Man, seems that Durham office is working way better than Belfast one. Called up the Belfast office and they said they are still working on applications from 15th June. I am going to call them again tomorrow and hopefully would be able to get something out of them.

[Haphazardeous]

Passport for: Adult+Child
Application Type: First time (Naturalised Citizen)
Method of application: PO Check and Send
Date of application: 01/07/2014
SMS received: 07/07/2014 (Durham Office)
Date of receipt of interview letter: Waiting [Called on 21/07 to Durham office for normal enquiry. 22/07 Caseworker called me and provided the reference number and advised I can book the interview straight away.]
Date of return of documents: Waiting
Date of Passport Appointment: 24/07/2014 - Edinburgh Office
Date of Passport Printing SMS received:
Date of Passport Receipt:

That's very quick! Did you use 0300 222 0000 for your enquiry?

[BC_Applicant]

Passport for: Adult+Child
Application Type: First time (Naturalised Citizen)
Method of application: PO Check and Send
Date of application: 01/07/2014
SMS received: 07/07/2014 (Durham Office)
Date of receipt of interview letter: Waiting [Called on 21/07 to Durham office for normal enquiry. 22/07 Caseworker called me and provided the reference number and advised I can book the interview straight away.]
Date of return of documents: Waiting
Date of Passport Appointment: 24/07/2014 - Edinburgh Office
Date of Passport Printing SMS received:
Date of Passport Receipt:

That's very well done it took less than 4 weeks for you!

[ashpan23]

Passport for: Adult+Child
Application Type: First time (Naturalised Citizen)
Method of application: PO Check and Send
Date of application: 01/07/2014
SMS received: 07/07/2014 (Durham Office)
Date of receipt of interview letter: Waiting [Called on 21/07 to Durham office for normal enquiry. 22/07 Caseworker called me and provided the reference number and advised I can book the interview straight away.]
Date of return of documents: Waiting
Date of Passport Appointment: 24/07/2014 - Edinburgh Office
Date of Passport Printing SMS received:
Date of Passport Receipt:

[s_anda]

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: First time (naturalised citizen)
Method of application: Special delivery
Date of application: 2/06/2014
SMS received: 6/06/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: 11/07/2014
Date of return of documents: 16/07/2014
Date of Passport Appointment: 19/07/2014
Date of Passport Printing SMS received: 21/07/2014
Date of Passport Receipt: 22/07/2014

I submitted an online enquiry on 4th July, had a reply on 9th July and found out that my application was going through the examination process in Belfast, although it was sent to Durham!

Thanks to all the members on this forum for updates and for sharing their experience
Best of luck to all those still waiting.

[BC_Applicant]

Thanks. Have contacted them but i guess its just a case of waiting. Again.

Edit:

So just had a phone back from them. Really apologetic and asked for the reference number so they could get involved. Actually shocked at how quickly they responded :s

Ironically that's the only way they work these days!

[SpyderBryte]

Thanks. Have contacted them but i guess its just a case of waiting. Again.

Edit:

So just had a phone back from them. Really apologetic and asked for the reference number so they could get involved. Actually shocked at how quickly they responded :s

[BC_Applicant]

So im sitting there, waiting, and the phone gets picked up with a very rude "What?" So i apologised and explained the situation. Woman on the other end huffed and took details, looked at a few more things and said "No, you've been told incorrect information. You will need an interview. Whn is it you're aiming to travel." So i told her - 4th september - and she just turns around and says "WEll, it could be another 4 weeks before they ask you to an interview so you can forget travellling then. Its just no feasable. need to wait and called back in 4 weeks if you've not heard anything. You're chasing too soon." I asked if there was nothing they could do/advise and she just said "No. You're being unreasonable chasing this early." And basically, put the phone down. (I understand, this is probably tainted from my view of the conversation but i assure you, this is actually what happened)

They've had it 7 weeks this week, and frankly, the way ive just been spoken to is not okay. I'm giving it an hour or so, Then thinking i'll either calling back and complaining, or calling the liverpool office direct and see whats happening their side or something. I dont know. It's just a joke!! I know we're all in the same boat but still. If what i've been told is the right information, it looks like I'm not going on our honeymoon, a year later already.

I would urge you to get in touch with your MP and update him regarding the conversation and his office can definitely help.

[SpyderBryte]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application: Postal - Recorded
Date of application: Sent 6/6/14
Date application received by IPS: Recorded post 7/6/14
Date of SMS confirmation: 10/6/14

Received a letter advising the the payment sent with my application was invalid and was advised to call 0300 222 1111 to pay by debit card. Called at 6pm, automated service said everyone was busy so opted for the call back service. 8.25pm now and heard nothing. Tried again, still have the 'everyone's busy' message

Date of return of documents: n/a
Date of receipt of interview letter: n/a
Date of Passport Appointment: n/a
Date of Passport Receipt: n/a

Oh, and I believe my application is at the Liverpool office, as this is where the recorded delivery shows it being recieved.

Okay. So. I rang about a week and half - two weeks ago on the main helpline. Spoke to a wman named Lydia who said that it was sitting in the examination process and had been since the 16th June. She was talking though the stages and said the next stage would be printing. Pretty shocked, i asked whould I not need an interview. She said no, said it would be with me by the 20th.

So i got to work today, fed up because still no sign of it. So i rang again. Spoke to someone called Liam who said it had been in the examination process for 5 weeks today, said that it was a strange length of time because its not normal for it to be that long. So he said he'd contact the more in depth side unless he was on for more than a minute in which case I'd be passed through myself.

So im sitting there, waiting, and the phone gets picked up with a very rude "What?" So i apologised and explained the situation. Woman on the other end huffed and took details, looked at a few more things and said "No, you've been told incorrect information. You will need an interview. Whn is it you're aiming to travel." So i told her - 4th september - and she just turns around and says "WEll, it could be another 4 weeks before they ask you to an interview so you can forget travellling then. Its just no feasable. need to wait and called back in 4 weeks if you've not heard anything. You're chasing too soon." I asked if there was nothing they could do/advise and she just said "No. You're being unreasonable chasing this early." And basically, put the phone down. (I understand, this is probably tainted from my view of the conversation but i assure you, this is actually what happened)

They've had it 7 weeks this week, and frankly, the way ive just been spoken to is not okay. I'm giving it an hour or so, Then thinking i'll either calling back and complaining, or calling the liverpool office direct and see whats happening their side or something. I dont know. It's just a joke!! I know we're all in the same boat but still. If what i've been told is the right information, it looks like I'm not going on our honeymoon, a year later already.

[ZINXYX]

Passport for: 2 Adults
Application Type: First time (naturalised citizen)
Method of application: PO Check and Send
Date of application: 03/06/2014
SMS received: 06/06/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: 11/07/2014 [Dated 09/07/14; contacted MP on 08/07/14]
Date of return of documents: 11/07/2014
Date of Passport Appointment: 14/07/2014 - Birmingham
Date of Passport Printing SMS received: 15/07/2014 [ Second adult 18/07/14]
Date of Passport Receipt: 16/07/2014 [Second adult 21/07/14]

I wish to express my sincerest gratitude to everybody on this forum for all your help over the years. Wishing everyone still waiting all the best.