British Passport application processing timelines (only)

[BC_Applicant]

I think the issue was in peak times applications got sent to various passport offices and unfortunately a lot more applications have been stacked up in Durham and also they didn't expect as may applications hence it has been difficult.

[Apparition]

I searched threads for opinions on best/worst passport offices, to my surprise I didn't find any. From a skim of the last 40 pages, it appears Peterborough's best.

That the consensus? Also as an immigrant or child of immigrants, you should avoid Liverpool and London.

Durham would probably be OK if it wasn't so rammed at this time of the year.

Maybe however, I don't think you have choice to decide where your application gets forwarded. Ppl from London have had their passports being sent to various places randomly.

Agreed, I could send it to Peterborough but they could pass it anywhere. But I assume they only do this during peak times to spread the load, else why bother.

I don't understand why Durham is so busy, hardly in a densely populated part of the UK. I can understand London and to an extent Liverpool.

[BC_Applicant]

I searched threads for opinions on best/worst passport offices, to my surprise I didn't find any. From a skim of the last 40 pages, it appears Peterborough's best.

That the consensus? Also as an immigrant or child of immigrants, you should avoid Liverpool and London.

Durham would probably be OK if it wasn't so rammed at this time of the year.

Maybe however, I don't think you have choice to decide where your application gets forwarded. Ppl from London have had their passports being sent to various places randomly.

[Apparition]

I searched threads for opinions on best/worst passport offices, to my surprise I didn't find any. From a skim of the last 40 pages, it appears Peterborough's best.

That the consensus? Also as an immigrant or child of immigrants, you should avoid Liverpool and London.

Durham would probably be OK if it wasn't so rammed at this time of the year.

[BC_Applicant]

I keep wondering why on this earth in this part of the world that I need to get MP's involved? So many phone calls? Why can't passport guys have defined steps & let us know the exact status? I believe this will help both the parties. This has happened at every step towards citizenship. I hope the last step is interview & that will end my madness to achieve perceived happiness

I agree it should be a lot simpler than this. Also MPs have better things to do for sure. Hope the govt officials read this!

[BC_Applicant]

Finally I am going to post my timeline and experience...

Passport for:1 Adult
Application Type: Naturalisation First British passport
Method of application: Post Office: Check and Send
Date of application:29/05/2014
Date application received by IPS: 02/06/2014 Peterborough
Date of SMS: 03/06/2014
Date of return of documents: Waiting
Date of receipt of interview letter: Not yet received but posted on 4th July Friday
Date of Passport Appointment: Booked for 11/07/2014
Date of Passport Receipt: Waiting

So unlike most ppl out here I started chasing them from week 3 onwards kept getting standard reply. Spoke to a few nice people who wrote internal emails and assured me I will be called but nothing happened, no calls received. The involved MP just at the end of week 5 and they called up the passport office on Thursday 3rd July and were told my application will be dealt within the timelines! However, got an email from ukpa saying call the customer services and there I was told you shouldn't have got an email etc. Finally got put through to the team processing applications who mentioned your letter was sent on 4th July but couldn't provide a reference number. Hence, I called the line to book an appointment and told them that the letter was posted but I didn't' have the Ref no. They confirmed and I went ahead and booked by appointment for Friday 11th.

I am sure nothing would have moved if I hadn't contacted my MP and it's not a co-incidence that the MP's office called them on Thursday and the letter was sent out on Friday!

Hopefully this should give most people waiting some hope and hopefully sharing the experience will benefit a few over here.

[tryingforilr]

I keep wondering why on this earth in this part of the world that I need to get MP's involved? So many phone calls? Why can't passport guys have defined steps & let us know the exact status? I believe this will help both the parties. This has happened at every step towards citizenship. I hope the last step is interview & that will end my madness to achieve perceived happiness

[tryingforilr]

Hi guys...never thought such things happen in developed nation. Anyhow..here is my story...

Date of application: 14/05/14
Date application received by IPS: 18/05/14 Durham
Date of SMS: 19/05/14

No update there after. I am, calling them almost every day. They say they required for escalation but no update. This is 7th week.

Anyhow I have a quick question - does signatory get contacted as part this passport process?

Hold on mate. you are not alone. I have applied on 10/05 and waiting.

Sorry to hear about it. After calling them almost everyday to I receive a call from passport office with my reference nos. Honestly its too late for me...i have to forfeit a holiday for my kids. Anyhow a lesson learnt.

[antouk]

Passport for:2 Adult + 2 children
Application Type: Naturalisation first British passport
Method of application: Post Office: Check and Send
Date of application:31/05/2014
Date application received by IPS: 04/05/2014 Liverpool
Date of SMS: NEVER
Date of return of documents:
Date of receipt of interview letter:
Date of Passport Appointment:
Date of Passport Receipt: Waiting

After trying to reach the passport office on several different numbers, i finally decided to go to the MP for help. MP office was very helpful indeed.
I spoke to MP sec on Thursday and i got my daughters passport on saturday. Thats a real voodoo. Also i got back supporting docs of my son today.

I think my 4 applications must have been examined after receiving a call from MP office. I expect an interview letter anytime this week. fingers crossed.

UPDATE: Got my son's passport just now.

[BC_Applicant]

This sounds too good to be true?

Anyone had a similar experience and did they call back with a reference no?

well it would be great if they did call as I have been told thrice but haven't been called once!

[keerthi]

It is been 4 weeks since I applied, I called the call centre and the guy informed me that he is sending a mail and someone will respond back within 48 hours with a reference no to apply for interview...?

This sounds too good to be true?

Anyone had a similar experience and did they call back with a reference no?

[reddy009]

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application: Check & Send to Peterborough
Date of application: 31/05/2014
Date of SMS received: 04/06/2014
Date of return of documents: 05/07/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: 05/07/2014
Date of Passport Appointment: 12/07/2014 @Luton
Date of Passport Receipt:

I have been told Peterborough passport is not conducting any interviews now.

Thanks

[BC_Applicant]

Application Timeline
- how can I check which office did mine/my wifes application go?

Thanks

https://passportofficeforms.service.gov ... ation.ofml

[yachtingcrew]

Application Timeline
Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New (FIRST)
Method of application: Check & Send
Date of application: 30/06/14 (application for 2 adults, me and my wife)
Date application received by IPS: my wife received SMS on 04/07, I have never received one
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

Guys, I have two questions
- we applied together with my wife and she received text message already but I didn't - does it mean that our applications went to different offices?
- how can I check which office did mine/my wifes application go?

Thanks

[MP1982]

Hi sian.b, SMS I received was for sons passport. so it was premature celebration. Anyway exactly after 6 weeks of posting and few helpful HMPO call centre staff recieved the invitation letter for an interview for both myself and wife. Can see light at end of the tunnel in this immigration journey.

thnks all,
MP

[Mrbean]

Passport for:Adult
Application Type: Naturalisation first British passport
Method of application: Post Office: Check and Send
Date of application:14/05/2014
Date application received by IPS: 19/05/2014 Durham
Date of SMS: 20/05/2014
Date of return of documents: 03/07/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: 02/07/2014
Date of Passport Appointment: 12/07/2014
Date of Passport Receipt: Waiting

I had to involve my local MP, he contacted passport office on my behalf and straight away I got the interview letter.

[BC_Applicant]

Well to be fair the phone conversation started by saying your 6 weeks are not up yet and they are busy! I told her yes 6 weeks are not up but it will be 6 weeks on Tuesday next week. Also, in 6 weeks we r expected to have new passports and here after 5 n half weeks I haven't even been contacted for interview. To which she said I have spoken to them and they will try and speed up your application.

All parties are same mate!

[akash08]

as mentioned in my earlier post I had written to my MP yesterday and I got a call and an email response today....my application date 29th May received in Peterborough on 2nd June and it will be 6 weeks on 8th July

Hoping I will hear some positive news next week...

Dear Mr XX

This is to confirm my telephone conversation with you this evening that I have been told by the Passport Office that your application reached them on 2 June and that it would take up to six weeks to complete. However, I have informed them that you require your passport urgently. I have also been informed that they will contact you directly about the completion process.

Best wishes.

XX XX
Parliamentary Assistant to
XX XX MP
ILFORD SOUTH

Lucky you. Your MP is not from the party in power or else you would have received justification of why this can jot be called a delay.

[humanvoid]

Finally got through Durham office and apparently our application has not been touched since 20th May, guy said he would leave note on our application to be looked at asap as it has been over 7 weeks now.

Looks like we need to chase them as with everything else.

[tbilai]

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: First Adult Passport (Naturalised)
Method of application: Check & Send through Post Office, London
Date of application: 13-May-2014
Date of Fees deduction: N/A (Fees taken at the Post Office)
Date application received by IPS: 16-May-2014 at Peterborough (Checked through online enquiry)
SMS received: NEVER RECEIVED
Date of receipt of interview letter: 17-June-2014 (Dated: 14-June-2014)
Date of return of documents: 18-June-2014
Date of Passport Appointment: 24-June-2014 at London Victoria
Date of Passport Printing SMS: Never Received
Date of Passport Received: 04-07-2014 ; Missed delivery on 27-06-2014

Good Luck to everyone.

[emmaluck]

Hi Sian.b,

I was thinking on the same lines because they just mention 'may' . But eeverycase I have seen in this forum and have heard of have gone through the interview process. I can only wait and see when I get the PP hopefully in next few days. In terms of my name It is very unique and will only be one of us in UK for sure . I will keep this forum updated anyway.

Thank you,

P.s: May be people who have got it with out an interview just kep quiet. With this backlog I can understand HMPO clearing applicaton which doesnt look suspicious with out an interview.

Hello MP1982,
Have you received the passport yet?

[BC_Applicant]

as mentioned in my earlier post I had written to my MP yesterday and I got a call and an email response today....my application date 29th May received in Peterborough on 2nd June and it will be 6 weeks on 8th July

Hoping I will hear some positive news next week...

Dear Mr XX

This is to confirm my telephone conversation with you this evening that I have been told by the Passport Office that your application reached them on 2 June and that it would take up to six weeks to complete. However, I have informed them that you require your passport urgently. I have also been informed that they will contact you directly about the completion process.

Best wishes.

XX XX
Parliamentary Assistant to
XX XX MP
ILFORD SOUTH

[Daymohktim]

juliemjohn

I also applied on the 4th June.
I live in London and my application ended up in Durham;)

Few days ago I contacted them and was told to wait a bit more;)

[BC_Applicant]

Hello Friends

Do we have person in this forum who has applied for the passport through the Belfast Office and is still waiting to receive a response? I applied on the 04th June 2014 and they received it there on the 09th June 2014.

I live in London and don't know why even the application is gone there.

Thank you

I think it gets assigned randomly. My application has gone to Peterborough and I live in London but have seen instances like yours as well.

[juliemjohn]

Hello Friends

Do we have person in this forum who has applied for the passport through the Belfast Office and is still waiting to receive a response? I applied on the 04th June 2014 and they received it there on the 09th June 2014.

I live in London and don't know why even the application is gone there.

Thank you