British Passport application processing timelines (only)

[ashik_a_s]

Passport for: Adult First Time
Application Type: New
Method of application: dropped at Peterborough Passport Office
Date of application: 9 May 2014
Date application received by HMPO: 13 May 2014
Date SMS Received:13 May 2014 [regarding that we have received the application]
Date Money Taken : 13 May 2014
Date Photos resent : 22 May 2014 [Letter dated 13 May 2014 to resend the photos received on 21 may 2014]
Date Application was submitted to Examiner : 28 May 2014
Date of return of documents: waiting
Date of receipt of interview letter: waiting
Date of Passport Appointment: waiting
Date of Passport Receipt: waiting

[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: expected on 11.06.2014 (attempted delivery on 05.06.2014, had to re-schedule)
Date of receipt of interview letter: 29.05.2014 (dated 27.05.2014)
Date of Passport Appointment: 03.06.2014
Date of Passport Receipt: 10.06.2014 (attempted delivery on 06.06.2014, had to re-schedule)

[jeeva]

Hi utopia,

Thanks alot.

Hi Jeeva,

There are 2 ways to get the DX Secure Tracking number

1. After HMPO confirm that your documents have been dispatched, you can request them to connect you to the department (within HMPO) that handles dispatches and deals with DX. This internal department will be able to give you the tracking number

2. Call DX early morning (around 8 AM) and ask them if they have a delivery for your door number and post code. If they see something on the system, they will happily give you the tracking number

Regards,

Utopia

[techie_09]

[Updated]My Application Timeline:

Method of Application: Post Office check & send
Date of Application: 03/05/2014 (Post Office)
Date of Application Received by IPS: 08/05/2014
Date of SMS Received: None
Date of Fees deduction: N.A.
Date of Receipt of Interview Letter: 04/06/2014 (dated 02/06/2014)
Date of Return of Documents: 05/06/2014
Date of Interview booked: 06/06/2014 (London Victoria)
Date of Passport Receipt: 09/06/2014 (Passport valid from 06/06/2014)

Best wishes to all who are waiting. You will also get your passport soon.

[utopia]

Hi Jeeva,

There are 2 ways to get the DX Secure Tracking number

1. After HMPO confirm that your documents have been dispatched, you can request them to connect you to the department (within HMPO) that handles dispatches and deals with DX. This internal department will be able to give you the tracking number

2. Call DX early morning (around 8 AM) and ask them if they have a delivery for your door number and post code. If they see something on the system, they will happily give you the tracking number

Regards,

Utopia

[jeeva]

Hi,

Where can I get the DX tracking number?

Here are the timelines for 4 passport applications that I recently made for my family and myself:

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New / First time
Method of application: Postal Check & Send
Date of application: 06/05/2014
Date application received by IPS: Not Known
Date of SMS that appication was received: 09/05/2014
Date of return of documents: 02/06/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: 03/06/2014 (letter dated 30/05/2014)
Date on which interview was booked: 04/06/2014
Date of receipt of interview confirmation letter: 06/06/2014 (letter dated 04/06/2014)
Date of passport interview: 07/06/2014
Date of SMS confirming passport is being printed: 09/06/2014
Date of Passport Receipt: 10/06/2014

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New / First time
Method of application: Postal Check & Send
Date of application: 06/05/2014
Date application received by IPS: Not Known
Date of SMS that appication was received: 09/05/2014
Date of return of documents: 02/06/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: 03/06/2014 (letter dated 30/05/2014)
Date on which interview was booked: 04/06/2014
Date of receipt of interview confirmation letter: 06/06/2014 (letter dated 04/06/2014)
Date of passport interview: 07/06/2014
Date of SMS confirming passport is being printed: 09/06/2014
Date of Passport Receipt: 10/06/2014

Passport for: Child
Application Type: New / First time
Method of application: Postal Check & Send
Date of application: 06/05/2014
Date application received by IPS: Not Known
Date of SMS that appication was received: Never
Date of return of documents: 05/06/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: N/A
Date on which interview was booked: N/A
Date of receipt of interview confirmation letter: N/A
Date of passport interview: N/A
Date of SMS confirming passport is being printed: N/A
Date of Passport Receipt: 02/06/2014

Passport for: Child
Application Type: New / First time
Method of application: Postal Check & Send
Date of application: 06/05/2014
Date application received by IPS: Not Known
Date of SMS that appication was received: Never
Date of return of documents: 05/06/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: N/A
Date on which interview was booked: N/A
Date of receipt of interview confirmation letter: N/A
Date of passport interview: N/A
Date of SMS confirming passport is being printed: N/A
Date of Passport Receipt: 02/06/2014


Some observations for the benefit of others:

1. I mentioned my own mobile number of the applications for my 2 children. Therefore I was expecting 3 SMS messages confirming application receipts (1 for myself + 2 for my children). However, I received just 1. It seems HMPO have some way of avoiding multiple messages to the same mobile number if they are convinced that all applications originate from the same family.

2. In contrast to several moans I've come across on this forum, I always found it very easy to get in touch with HMPO on the passport advice line. They have always been polite, gentle, helpful and accurate in answering my queries. Must say I had a very pleasant experience with them.

3. DX secure are a very dangerous and unreliable group of jokers who prefer to call themselves a courier company. My childrens' supporting documents (British Citizenship certificates and original, non-British passports) were recklessly dumped into a flat bearing the same number as mine but in an entirely different building!! No signatures taken, no help from the call center and no apologies. It was after a 7-hour, tension-filled drama that I finally managed to retrieve those documents from that flat. I would advise people to get hold of tracking numbers and keep tracking documents until they are safely received. Otherwise you may never receive them and would keep waiting.

This brings me to the end of a very long and tiring immigration journey that has spanned some 11 years. Immigration Boards and its members have been with me all along this journey and I hereby take this opportunity to convey my heart-felt gratitude to one and all. Here's wishing the best to those still waiting. I can only say that patience does pay off in the end.

[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
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.

[utopia]

Here are the timelines for 4 passport applications that I recently made for my family and myself:

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New / First time
Method of application: Postal Check & Send
Date of application: 06/05/2014
Date application received by IPS: Not Known
Date of SMS that appication was received: 09/05/2014
Date of return of documents: 02/06/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: 03/06/2014 (letter dated 30/05/2014)
Date on which interview was booked: 04/06/2014
Date of receipt of interview confirmation letter: 06/06/2014 (letter dated 04/06/2014)
Date of passport interview: 07/06/2014
Date of SMS confirming passport is being printed: 09/06/2014
Date of Passport Receipt: 10/06/2014

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New / First time
Method of application: Postal Check & Send
Date of application: 06/05/2014
Date application received by IPS: Not Known
Date of SMS that appication was received: 09/05/2014
Date of return of documents: 02/06/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: 03/06/2014 (letter dated 30/05/2014)
Date on which interview was booked: 04/06/2014
Date of receipt of interview confirmation letter: 06/06/2014 (letter dated 04/06/2014)
Date of passport interview: 07/06/2014
Date of SMS confirming passport is being printed: 09/06/2014
Date of Passport Receipt: 10/06/2014

Passport for: Child
Application Type: New / First time
Method of application: Postal Check & Send
Date of application: 06/05/2014
Date application received by IPS: Not Known
Date of SMS that appication was received: Never
Date of return of documents: 05/06/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: N/A
Date on which interview was booked: N/A
Date of receipt of interview confirmation letter: N/A
Date of passport interview: N/A
Date of SMS confirming passport is being printed: N/A
Date of Passport Receipt: 02/06/2014

Passport for: Child
Application Type: New / First time
Method of application: Postal Check & Send
Date of application: 06/05/2014
Date application received by IPS: Not Known
Date of SMS that appication was received: Never
Date of return of documents: 05/06/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: N/A
Date on which interview was booked: N/A
Date of receipt of interview confirmation letter: N/A
Date of passport interview: N/A
Date of SMS confirming passport is being printed: N/A
Date of Passport Receipt: 02/06/2014


Some observations for the benefit of others:

1. I mentioned my own mobile number of the applications for my 2 children. Therefore I was expecting 3 SMS messages confirming application receipts (1 for myself + 2 for my children). However, I received just 1. It seems HMPO have some way of avoiding multiple messages to the same mobile number if they are convinced that all applications originate from the same family.

2. In contrast to several moans I've come across on this forum, I always found it very easy to get in touch with HMPO on the passport advice line. They have always been polite, gentle, helpful and accurate in answering my queries. Must say I had a very pleasant experience with them.

3. DX secure are a very dangerous and unreliable group of jokers who prefer to call themselves a courier company. My childrens' supporting documents (British Citizenship certificates and original, non-British passports) were recklessly dumped into a flat bearing the same number as mine but in an entirely different building!! No signatures taken, no help from the call center and no apologies. It was after a 7-hour, tension-filled drama that I finally managed to retrieve those documents from that flat. I would advise people to get hold of tracking numbers and keep tracking documents until they are safely received. Otherwise you may never receive them and would keep waiting.

This brings me to the end of a very long and tiring immigration journey that has spanned some 11 years. Immigration Boards and its members have been with me all along this journey and I hereby take this opportunity to convey my heart-felt gratitude to one and all. Here's wishing the best to those still waiting. I can only say that patience does pay off in the end.

[shaunc]

So here are some things I have learned during this ludicrous process (in which I am still yet to receive my passport or any info about it!) which I hope will be helpful to some of you. It should be noted that my application is at Durham, so I'm not sure if this information will be useful (or necessary) when dealing with other offices.

1. When you call the 0300 number, it asks you to select whether you're calling from Britain or overseas. I have only ever selected the latter (since I am calling from the US) and each time I am transferred to someone within 30 seconds. So for those who have been put on hold for up to an hour when calling this number, I would suggest dialling "2" (the one for overseas applicants) and then, when you are transferred to someone, just claim that you must have "accidentally pressed the wrong number on your keypad". At least you won't have to wait.

2. The 0300 number is merely an advice line and their employees can do very little to help you. Moreover, these people generally give you attitude, which is understandable as I presume that they spend their entire livelihoods dealing with unhappy applicants, so don't contact them with high hopes or expect them to be overly helpful. As I understand it, the only way you can make some progress with your application is to have your case escalated, wherein an actual passport examiner contacts you directly. The call centre employees are able to commence this process - so this is what you should use them for.

3. As I postulated, the call centre likely deals with a plethora of unhappy applicants, so you're just a normal caller to them. In order to have your case escalated, it is essential to call them on multiple occasions. The way this happened for me was to call the office once, and demand that one of my supporting documents be returned immediately (I asked for my Australian passport to be returned because I need to travel very soon) - they then submit a note to the Durham office, asking a passport examiner to contact you directly within 72 hours to discuss the situation. After 72 hours passes without contact (it will - all they do is send you a generic email which you should disregard as it is entirely unhelpful), call the 0300 number again and say that no one has contacted you yet and your situation is absolutely urgent. They will then escalate your case and ask you for your contact info again so that someone from Durham can contact you directly. At this point, make sure that you request to be contacted by phone (as opposed to email) so that you can actually speak with the passport examiner.

I just completed this step this morning and will provide more information after they contact me.

4. The phone operators at the advice centre (0300 number) claim that they do not have the phone numbers of the Durham passport office and that even they can only contact them by email. Thus, if you ask them for a contact number for the Durham office, they cannot indulge you. However, another forum has posted this number as a direct contact to Durham: 0845 601 5175. I tried it once but was on hold for too long so hung up, but many others have reported success when using it.

Best of luck to all, you will be needing it!

This is pretty much spot on. I would add the following:

1. The advice line (the 0300 number) is just a call centre. Throughout the entire process I was given "awaiting examination" as the status update, but this couldn't have been the case last week as my interview letter was sent out on 4th June. The tracking system is a con and frankly only the people in the processing offices would know where your passport is, so don't expect clear answers.

2. I would allow at least 8 weeks for the process, especially if your application has gone to Durham. Staffing cuts were made to HMPO last year which has meant that they are struggling to deal with the "increased demand" for passports, yet they still claim that there are no delays, despite two critical media stories about HMPO in the last fortnight. It's a mess and the best thing you can do is to e-mail or write a complaint to your local MP so that it gets debated in parliament and other people will not have to endure something similar in the future.

As a point of comparison, the Australian Passport Office has a COMMITMENT (important word) to processing all applications within 10 working days of applications being received. HMPO by comparison states that new passport applications will take AT LEAST six weeks to process. They can hide behind "at least" pretty easily as it is quite an open timeframe and also allows for slippages in service standards.

Sure, Australia has less people, but anything longer than two weeks for a first passport is a joke - if you can prove that you're a citizen and that you are indeed who you claim to be, then you're entitled to a passport. The easiest and most efficient way to do this is through an appointment to run through the application form face-to-face and perform the interview at the same time, then submit it for processing and printing. One day common sense will prevail.

[shaunc]

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: First time (naturalised citizen)
Method of application: PO Check & Send
Date of application: 22/04/2014
Date application received by IPS (post tracking): 23/04/2014
SMS received: 24/04/2014
Payment taken: 22/04/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: 07/06/2014 (dated 04/06/2014)
Date of return of documents:
Date of Passport Appointment: 05/07/2014
Date of Passport Receipt:

I eventually received my interview letter and rang to make an appointment yesterday morning. I was connected to someone almost immediately, which I was surprised by. I managed to make an appointment for 5th July in Leeds, though this isn't particularly convenient as I live in Newcastle.

The main reason is that the Durham passport office apparently has no appointments at all for the next four weeks. The next closest office is Carlisle but they don't offer weekend appointments, so Leeds is the next closest office. I will call later in the week and see if I can get something at Durham in July, but I'm no longer in a rush as I have a concurrent Australian passport to travel with.

[chingomingo]

Help needed.
Information about passport Interview.
Hi all,
I just applied for my first adult British passport and waiting for an interview.I have seen some questions on this forum which are being asked during the course of interview.They normally ask about previous addresses.One of the addresses where i was living in i used for electoral role but this address was never given to any bank or anywhere but i was actually living there. During this period i used the address of my friend where it was more easy to handle the post.As this address exists nowhere except on electoral register make any problem for me?
Please give your opinion and oblige.

[Pvsc27]

Fantastic form and fantastic info and people
Application Timeline

Passport for: Adult First Time
Application Type: New
Method of application: Post Office C&S
Date of application: 2 May 2014
Date application received by HMPO: 6 May 2014 - i did send query using online help
Date of return of documents: 8 Jun 2014 (surprisingly on Sunday)
Date of receipt of interview letter: 29 May 2014
Date of Passport Appointment:3 June 2014, Reading
Date SMS Received: 4 Jun 2014 (not for application acknowledgement, but saying passport is being printed)
Date of Passport Receipt: 5 Jun 2014

All the best to other guys

[AlexClark75]

Hello everybody :

I applied via Beta on line on 13/05/2014 and sent the documments on 16/05 the track number say received on GLASGOW office on 19/05/2014 .. I sent last week a e-mail to HMPO to track the application and they said my application has been received on 22/05/2014 in Peterborough office and in process of examination.

Someone know why they ask to post a Glasgow if next they transfer to Peterborough ? There is some checks in Glasgow first ?

Alex

[Eirikur]

Passport for: Adult First Time
Application Type: New
Method of application: Post Office C&S
Date of application: 2 May 2014
Date application received by HMPO: 6 May 2014
Date of return of documents: waiting
Date of receipt of interview letter: waiting
Date of Passport Appointment: waiting
Date SMS Received: never
Date of Passport Receipt: waiting

[rilakkuma]

Application Timeline

Application Type: New, first adult passport
Method of application: Special Delivery (Self)
Date of application: 28/04/2014
Date SMS Received: 01/05/2014
Date of deduction of fees:01/05/2014
Date of return of documents: 05/06/2014-DX
Date of receipt of interview letter: 28/05/2014
Date of interview appointment: 28/05/2014
Date of SMS that Passport is being printed: 30/05/2014
Date of Passport Receipt: 02/06/2014

Finally, after 11 years, I end my journey of applying all sort different visas. I will feel free to settle and travel away.
Many thanks for people who shared experiences and information. It was great help!

[littlewing1]

Application Type: First time (overseas Adult, citizen by descent)
Method of application: Beta Online
Date of application: 20/03/2014 (confirmed receipt by HMPO)
Date SMS Received: n/a (I don't think online apps get these)
Date of return of documents:
Date of receipt of interview letter:
Date of interview appointment:
Date of SMS that Passport is being printed:
Date of Passport Receipt:

For anyone complaining about long wait times, I applied BEFORE the price decreased when the wait time was expected to be 6 weeks, and am in my 11th week of waiting. Gave them my life story in the "notes" section, and filled in EVERY "optional" section supplied to me online. As instructed online, I sent in my documents to the black hole that is the Durham office. Do not have my "foreign" US passport back, and need to renew that passport (expired in May) it in time for July/August travel- so apparently I'll not be travelling this summer at all. Have emailed the HMPO, and received the canned "your application is being processed" response, which is EXACTLY the unhelpful status on the tracking site.

[mgoblue]

So here are some things I have learned during this ludicrous process (in which I am still yet to receive my passport or any info about it!) which I hope will be helpful to some of you. It should be noted that my application is at Durham, so I'm not sure if this information will be useful (or necessary) when dealing with other offices.

1. When you call the 0300 number, it asks you to select whether you're calling from Britain or overseas. I have only ever selected the latter (since I am calling from the US) and each time I am transferred to someone within 30 seconds. So for those who have been put on hold for up to an hour when calling this number, I would suggest dialling "2" (the one for overseas applicants) and then, when you are transferred to someone, just claim that you must have "accidentally pressed the wrong number on your keypad". At least you won't have to wait.

2. The 0300 number is merely an advice line and their employees can do very little to help you. Moreover, these people generally give you attitude, which is understandable as I presume that they spend their entire livelihoods dealing with unhappy applicants, so don't contact them with high hopes or expect them to be overly helpful. As I understand it, the only way you can make some progress with your application is to have your case escalated, wherein an actual passport examiner contacts you directly. The call centre employees are able to commence this process - so this is what you should use them for.

3. As I postulated, the call centre likely deals with a plethora of unhappy applicants, so you're just a normal caller to them. In order to have your case escalated, it is essential to call them on multiple occasions. The way this happened for me was to call the office once, and demand that one of my supporting documents be returned immediately (I asked for my Australian passport to be returned because I need to travel very soon) - they then submit a note to the Durham office, asking a passport examiner to contact you directly within 72 hours to discuss the situation. After 72 hours passes without contact (it will - all they do is send you a generic email which you should disregard as it is entirely unhelpful), call the 0300 number again and say that no one has contacted you yet and your situation is absolutely urgent. They will then escalate your case and ask you for your contact info again so that someone from Durham can contact you directly. At this point, make sure that you request to be contacted by phone (as opposed to email) so that you can actually speak with the passport examiner.

I just completed this step this morning and will provide more information after they contact me.

4. The phone operators at the advice centre (0300 number) claim that they do not have the phone numbers of the Durham passport office and that even they can only contact them by email. Thus, if you ask them for a contact number for the Durham office, they cannot indulge you. However, another forum has posted this number as a direct contact to Durham: 0845 601 5175. I tried it once but was on hold for too long so hung up, but many others have reported success when using it.

Best of luck to all, you will be needing it!

[whynot]

NOW ITS GOING STRAIGHT TO VOICE MAIL AUTOMATED CALL BACK SERVICE ON BOTH OF THE NUMBER ..OH DEAR ITS 2 DAYS TO 6 WEEKS , AND WHERE IS MY PASSPORT ?

[whynot]

I applied on the 29th of april via post office check n send,. they send no sms, no letter of confirmation of application being received , nothing, I called after 3 weeks and was told we have your application, no interview letter so far, no nothing I am so >:( right now.

[farrukhnizam]

Hi All,
Can anyone tell me i applied from Luton post office (passport checking service) how do i know which passport office is dealing my application.
Thanks

[WHS]

Passport for: Adult First Time
Application Type: New
Method of application: Post Office C&S
Date of application: 22 April 2014
Date application received by HMPO: 25 April 2014 (Durham)
Date SMS Received: 28 April 2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: Not yet
Date of Passport Appointment: 10/06/2014
Date of return of documents: 06/06/2014
Date SMS Received: waiting
Date of Passport Receipt: waiting

My advice is to keep on phoning them. I received a call from Durham yesterday - the returned my original passport immediately and approved my application. Interview booked without the letter. Hopefully this whole nightmare will end by the end of next week!

[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: 06/06 (together with passport)
Date of receipt of interview letter: 30/05
Date of Passport Appointment: 02/06
SMS of passport printing : 03/06
Date of Passport Receipt:

06/06 (first attempt 04/06)

Final updates above - passport received this morning - yippee!!!
Thanks as well to this forum and the kind people who post here. Good luck to all.

[BackTrack]

I also applied on the 7th may my application is at durham they are ridiculous ive called about 10 times and i am told something different each time i was told on the 30th june that there was a backlong and they were currently workin on applications from 28th april then i was told there isnt a backlog when i called yesterday is there any hope these people are a bunch of jokers. Its so depressing.

I applied on 24th April. I called them today 08456015175. They told me they are currently processing applications of 24th April 2014 .

They told you they are working on 28th April application , today they are working on 24th April going backwards. Big liars

I think in Durham office its lottery. Whichever application they pick up first

[akash08]

So, I got the reply from online status enquiry and the dreaded response: your application is with our Durham office.

There should be an option in the passport application to pay extra as a special service to ensure your applicaiton does not reach Durham!!

and this is what I replied (I know none will read but)

Thanks for your response. I was praying that my applicaiton should reach any office other than Durham but sadly not the case. I guess the indefinite wait like thousands other unlucky guys whose applications reached Durham starts now!

[zombie]

Update: My interview letter (Dhuram HMPO application) arrived today:

Passport for: Adult First Time
Application Type: New
Method of application: Post Office C&S
Date of application: 16 April 2014
Date application received by HMPO: 23 April 2014
Date SMS Received: 24 April 2014
Date of receipt of interview letter: 06/06/2014
Date of Passport Appointment: 10/06/2014
Date of return of documents: waiting
Date SMS Received: waiting
Date of Passport Receipt: waiting

Finally things seem to be moving at Dhuram HMPO