British Passport application processing timelines (only)

[muzammil1124]

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: waiting
Date of Passport Receipt: Waiting

Notes: Wife's case resolved itself with a couple of calls to the Belfast Office (must say they were very good). Since there was no movement in my case at this point I raised it with my MP towards the end of Week 5. Not sure whether that helped but on Saturday (12/07) I received a call from the Peterborough Office who promised to send my Interview letter this week, failing which I was given a direct number to call the team handling it. Didn't have to call them at all since the interview letter arrived in the post today. Surprised both applicants' supporting documents were returned on the same day. I think the applications/supporting documents are centrally held and once the data is in their system, the case is palmed off to different offices. It probably doesn't matter which office handles the application

Hi Mate, which number did you call for Belfast Passport Office?

Thanks!

[absane]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult x 2
Application Type: New, 1st
Method of application: Post Office Check & Send (Liverpool)
Date of application: 31-05-14
Date application received by IPS: 04-06-14
Date of SMS Acknowledgment: NEVER
Date of return of documents: 15-07-14
Date of receipt of interview letter: 10-07-14(received call from examiner on 08-07-14)
Date of Passport Appointment: 11-07-14
Date of SMS - Passport being printed:12-07-14
Date of Passport Receipt: 15-07-14

My MP helped me a lot in speeding up the application. Thanks for all your support.

When did you contact your MP and when did you get a response after that? Mine is also at Liverloop but it's been there since Mid-May.

[antouk]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult x 2
Application Type: New, 1st
Method of application: Post Office Check & Send (Liverpool)
Date of application: 31-05-14
Date application received by IPS: 04-06-14
Date of SMS Acknowledgment: NEVER
Date of return of documents: 15-07-14
Date of receipt of interview letter: 10-07-14(received call from examiner on 08-07-14)
Date of Passport Appointment: 11-07-14
Date of SMS - Passport being printed:12-07-14
Date of Passport Receipt: 15-07-14

My MP helped me a lot in speeding up the application. Thanks for all your support.

[RE_G]

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: waiting
Date of Passport Receipt: Waiting

Notes: Wife's case resolved itself with a couple of calls to the Belfast Office (must say they were very good). Since there was no movement in my case at this point I raised it with my MP towards the end of Week 5. Not sure whether that helped but on Saturday (12/07) I received a call from the Peterborough Office who promised to send my Interview letter this week, failing which I was given a direct number to call the team handling it. Didn't have to call them at all since the interview letter arrived in the post today. Surprised both applicants' supporting documents were returned on the same day. I think the applications/supporting documents are centrally held and once the data is in their system, the case is palmed off to different offices. It probably doesn't matter which office handles the application

[Haphazardeous]

Passport for: Adult (Naturalised Citizen)
Application Type: New
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 02/07/2014
Date application received by IPS: 04/07/2014 (Received an e-mail from ukpa@reply.co.uk on 15/07/2014 after enquiring on-line)
SMS Received: Never received.
Date of return of documents: Waiting
Date of receipt of interview letter: Waiting
Date of Passport Appointment: TBA
Date of Passport Receipt: Waiting

[tblum]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New, 1st
Method of application: Post Office Check & Send
Date of application: 28-05-14
Date application received by IPS: 02-06-14
Date of SMS Acknowledgment: Never... Phoned the 0300 number and asked
Date of return of documents: 08-07-14 (Phoned the 0300 number and asked to have it sent)
Date of receipt of interview letter: 04-07-14
Date of Passport Appointment: 09-07-14
Date of SMS - Passport being printed:14-07-14
Date of Passport Receipt: 14-07-14

[BC_Applicant]

Out of curiosity, which Passport office did you apply and how come you did not have to attend a interview? Lucky you.

I think the interview was still held for the Adult Passport. Child applicants do not have to attend an interview!

[juliemjohn]

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: Pending
Date of Passport Receipt: Pending


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

Out of curiosity, which Passport office did you apply and how come you did not have to attend a interview? Lucky you.

[maximux79]

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: Pending
Date of Passport Receipt: Pending


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

[irina2206]

Passport for: Adult (Naturalised Citizen)
Application Type: New
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 08/07/2014
Date application received by IPS: N/A
SMS Received: N/A
Date of return of documents: Waiting
Date of receipt of interview letter: Waiting
Date of Passport Appointment: TBA
Date of Passport Receipt: Waiting

[akash08]

Thanks BC and Julie.

The guy I spoke to said they will write to counter signatory for a letter or a form to sign. Has anyone had this done?

Only 2 scenario for this to happen

1. You are unlucky to be one of those few for which they decide to do furher verification by writing to counter signatory. This is assumed to be completely random process. I doubt they are doing this now with so much backlog

2. Your interview was very poor like you did not know where you stay or can not tell your parents name. They will then take further verification checks and will definitely write to counter signatory.

[BC_Applicant]

Thanks BC and Julie.

The guy I spoke to said they will write to counter signatory for a letter or a form to sign. Has anyone had this done?

This was done when the counter signatory signed the form and photos at the time of application. So don't think there is any need for them to contact anyone further.

[specy_99]

Thanks BC and Julie.

The guy I spoke to said they will write to counter signatory for a letter or a form to sign. Has anyone had this done?

[Apparition]

I live in Leeds. If I apply soon, do you approve postal (special delivery) to Peterborough? Seems like it's the best office and that postal beats check & send.

Any comments welcome, I've been watching this thread closely!

[juliemjohn]

Date of Application: 30/06/2014
Application type: Check & Send Post office
Date of SMS Received: received a SMS the same day as I called them.
Date of Receipt of Interview Letter: Awaiting
Date of Return of Documents: Awaiting
Date of Interview booked: Awaiting
SMS received passport printing: Awaiting
Date of Passports received: Awaiting

I have been told my application is at the Belfast office. Does anyone know how long it takes??? from Belfast office?

I called before and I was told that I should call back on the 21st...and now I am told I should call back after 6 weeks.

Is it common for the Home Office to contact the countersignatory as I wanted to give them extra phone no but the guy said they usually write to them.

My partner & I applied on the 03rd June 2014 from Belfast Office. His interview letter came on Friday, 11th July 2014 and interview on the 16th July. I am still waiting for my letter to come through.
Hope you hear from them soon.

[absane]

As an update... I had my Uncle contact his MP and he said he would contact the Liverpool office to see what is going on with my application. It's been 53 days, or 7.5 weeks, and not a single word about my application from Liverpool aside from when they received it and that it is in the "examination process".

You should expect a reply next week as you have involved your MP. Good luck.

Not my MP since I never even set foot in the UK in my life but one I am connected to by family. Anyway he will help out and hopefully I'll hear something soon. I am just starting to get worried because in a few weeks I am leaving my current country of residence and if they issue me a UK passport while I am no longer here, I probably will never receive it.

[Somudro]

Date of Application: 30/06/2014
Application type: Check & Send Post office
Date of SMS Received: received a SMS the same day as I called them.
Date of Receipt of Interview Letter: Awaiting
Date of Return of Documents: Awaiting
Date of Interview booked: Awaiting
SMS received passport printing: Awaiting
Date of Passports received: Awaiting

I have been told my application is at the Belfast office. Does anyone know how long it takes??? from Belfast office?

I called before and I was told that I should call back on the 21st...and now I am told I should call back after 6 weeks.

Is it common for the Home Office to contact the countersignatory as I wanted to give them extra phone no but the guy said they usually write to them.

I Applied on 01/07/2014 - 1 day after you. No news yet.

[BC_Applicant]

Is it common for the Home Office to contact the countersignatory as I wanted to give them extra phone no but the guy said they usually write to them.

I had my passport interview today and can confirm that still the counter signatory hasn't been contacted yet. I will let you if he does get contacted before getting the passport printed.

[specy_99]

Date of Application: 30/06/2014
Application type: Check & Send Post office
Date of SMS Received: received a SMS the same day as I called them.
Date of Receipt of Interview Letter: Awaiting
Date of Return of Documents: Awaiting
Date of Interview booked: Awaiting
SMS received passport printing: Awaiting
Date of Passports received: Awaiting

I have been told my application is at the Belfast office. Does anyone know how long it takes??? from Belfast office?

I called before and I was told that I should call back on the 21st...and now I am told I should call back after 6 weeks.

Is it common for the Home Office to contact the countersignatory as I wanted to give them extra phone no but the guy said they usually write to them.

[doncgeorge123]

Applied by Check & Send from Reading PO 28/05/14
SMS received - No
Rung 03 number 10 times and no one gave an answer. Checked online status and got a generic reply ( under examination process)
Rung Durham Office with 0845 number and requested to send my old Indian passport back as I need to travel. They said they will arrange to send it soon. Rung again on 23/06/14 on 0845 and they said they already sent my interview letter and documents back and gave me the reference number. So I rung Luton and booked one appointment for interview on 25/06/14.
Got the interview letter and old docs on 23/06/14
Done the interview on 25/06/14 and got text on 26/06/14 as passport printed. Received the passport on 28/06/14. Sharp on 30th day I got my British Passport..
Good luck for all...

[Rain]

Hi Please help.

Will advice line guys put ne through to Liverpool office on a Saturday?

Do 0845 numbers work on Saturdays?

Can we go to Liverpool office today and be able to speak to a real person who knows progress of application.I have only been speaking to 0300 advice line who can only take message and actual passport office never calls back.

Please advice. Any personal experience?

[BC_Applicant]

As an update... I had my Uncle contact his MP and he said he would contact the Liverpool office to see what is going on with my application. It's been 53 days, or 7.5 weeks, and not a single word about my application from Liverpool aside from when they received it and that it is in the "examination process".

You should expect a reply next week as you have involved your MP. Good luck.

[absane]

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New (overseas... citizen by descent)
Method of application: Online
Date of application: May 13th 2014
Date application received by IPS: May 19th 2014 @ Liverpool office
Date of return of documents: Haven't received
Date of receipt of interview letter: Nothing
Date of Passport Appointment: Nothing
Date of Passport Receipt: (waiting)

As an update... I had my Uncle contact his MP and he said he would contact the Liverpool office to see what is going on with my application. It's been 53 days, or 7.5 weeks, and not a single word about my application from Liverpool aside from when they received it and that it is in the "examination process".

[MP1982]

[quote="MP1982"]Type of Application:2 x Adult First (Naturalizations) and 1 Minor
Method of Application: Post Office check & send
Date of Application: 16/05/2014
Date of SMS Received: Never received a SMS
Date of Receipt of Interview Letter: 03/07/2014 (for both adults)
Date of Return of Documents: 04/07/2014 (for both adults)
Receipt of Minor’s passport: 04/07/2014
Date of Interview booked: 09/07/2014
SMS received passport printing: 10/07/2014 (for both adults)
Date of Passports received: 11/07/2014

End of this epic migration journey. Big THANK YOU to this forum for all valuable advice and encouragements during past years. Good Luck to all wating for their passports. Wishes for speedy outcome!

MP

[sian.b]

Final update.

Passport for: 1 Adult
Application Type: Naturalisation first British passport
Method of application: Post Office: Check and Send
Date of application: 3/6/14
Date application received by IPS: 6/6/14 Durham
Date of SMS: 9/6/14
Date of return of documents: 4/7/14
Date of receipt of interview letter: 4/7/14
Date of Passport Appointment: 9/7/14
Date of Passport Receipt: 11/7/14

Got intervention from our MP at 4 weeks of waiting to ask them to speed it up so all in all, just under 6 weeks start to finish.

Thanks to everyone for their help and for supplying phone numbers etc.
Good luck to everyone else!