British Passport application processing timelines (only)

[jagcv4]

Has anyone had any luck in receiving texts/confirmation after applying through Post Office, since 20th February?

[edenking]

Hi Lad2777
You need to book an interview, when you are received the letter from HM Passport office.

[lad2777]

do I have to book an interview or I get it from HO automatically in a letter?

[edenking]

Application Timeline

Passport for: Adult
Application Type: New
Method of application: Self

Date of Application: 11/02/2014
Date of Application Received by IPS: 12/02/14
Date of Debit of Fees: 14/02/14
Confirmation by SMS: 14/02/14
Date of Receipt of Interview Letter: 25/02/14
Date of Return of Documents: 25/02/14
Date of Passport Interview Appointment: 27/02/14
Date of Passport Receipt: 03/03/14

Thanks to everyone here that has contributed to these timelines.
Best wishes to everyone in this forum.

[apple02]

The only issue I have with check & send is that, I paid 3 pounds something for a secured delivery and not once did I have to sign for my return documents or my British passport. Yes am happy that I've received all and its all over, I just feel ripped off of my 3 pounds because after all its still money.

Correct me if am wrong because I thought paying for secured delivery means you will have to sign upon collecting your passport at your door because otherwise all mines were pushed through the letter box like a normal post.

[sianlouise94]

Thankyou Monika calmed me a little bit now!

[jagcv4]

To be honest, the form is self-explanatory and the guide resolves fair few issues. It will be interesting to find experiences from people who have directly sent in the application forms to Passport office. But never again I will use the postoffice. It is just waste of time!

[zubbshah]

More than the rip off service its an absolute joke. ..cause of the time lag....
Well...I've thought bout it...
Not sure hhow it wouldbe executed. ..perhaps with d help of the moderators...
Fill in a dummy form and upload it in here...
fill in all the details with dummy names etc like a sample form for all.the new coming applicants. .which in turn would make it easier for them to fill in nd post directly to hmpo..
Wat say guys ??

[lad2777]

check and send , such a rip off, lady on the phone said they have 21 days to deliver my forms and passport to Belfast office! so 3 weeks waste of time and money

[Monika_33]

Oh I see..hopefully I should be okay then any idea how I can get hold of this number?
I rang 0300 222 1111 today and they said my birth certificate and application haven't been linked so hopefully that will happen this week.
really panicking

That number is useless (excuse my French). Someone had posted a tel No beginning with 0845... in the posts above.
Try to find it and good luck!!!
ps I had rung the helpline in the evening and was told my passport has not been printed yet and then next morning at 10am I received it, so guess how much info they have, lol.

[sianlouise94]

Oh I see..hopefully I should be okay then any idea how I can get hold of this number?
I rang 0300 222 1111 today and they said my birth certificate and application haven't been linked so hopefully that will happen this week.
really panicking

[Monika_33]

Well, I received my British passport last week, so it's all over now, but would not rate very high the Post office check & send service. On another note, I wanted my passport and docs to be sent to my office and the lady at the Post office just gave me a blank sheet of paper and made me write my address there.
HMPO delayed my application as they wanted a formal letter from the employer to prove that I work there etc.
All in all I would say - Carefully complete the from and send it yourself.

Monika how long after sending your employer letter in did you then receive your interview letter? mine was delayed too due to me only supplying a short birth certificate?

I faxed it over even though they insisted on having the original letter. Next day I called them and they gave me the interview Ref No over the phone so I was able to book it straight away.
However, please note that I did not call the general hep line, but a tel No beginning with 0845, so was able to speak directly with the passport office. Sorry, but I don't have this number on me.
You should be OK for your hols - plenty of time. I had also chased them as had booked my hols in advance...

[sianlouise94]

Well, I received my British passport last week, so it's all over now, but would not rate very high the Post office check & send service. On another note, I wanted my passport and docs to be sent to my office and the lady at the Post office just gave me a blank sheet of paper and made me write my address there.
HMPO delayed my application as they wanted a formal letter from the employer to prove that I work there etc.
All in all I would say - Carefully complete the from and send it yourself.

Monika how long after sending your employer letter in did you then receive your interview letter? mine was delayed too due to me only supplying a short birth certificate?

[sianlouise94]

Hi I am travelling away on the 22nd April I sent off for my passport on the 18/02/2014, I originally sent off on the 5th thinking I had applied for my passport turns out no I paid £69 for someone to fill in my own information and didn't find out until the 17th.
So I received a letter on Monday last week stating I hadn't supplied my full birth certificate, only my short one so I sent that back on the 28th. Can someone advise whether I will be able to go on my holiday on the 22nd of April. I only booked it because I thought my passport application process started on the 5/02/14.

PLEASE HELP AS THE WAIT IS DRIVING ME INSANE!!

[Monika_33]

Well, I received my British passport last week, so it's all over now, but would not rate very high the Post office check & send service. On another note, I wanted my passport and docs to be sent to my office and the lady at the Post office just gave me a blank sheet of paper and made me write my address there.
HMPO delayed my application as they wanted a formal letter from the employer to prove that I work there etc.
All in all I would say - Carefully complete the from and send it yourself.

[zubbshah]

I absolutely sonderstand ur frustration. ...well..me been in a similar situation. ..d best bet wud be to get ur self a tracking number from po nd then track it....

Also it takes a wee bit longer for applications to get loaded on iPS's system. .thats what I was been told...
However the besy bet wud be to ring up customer service on 0300 222 0000 nd give ur post code to locate nd other info nd they wud let u know.
Cuase till now I didn't recd any text or letters from ips bout the application however it was recd last week. ..so.. I'd advise ring them up nd ask them

[p2kin]

Well, to start with the Post Office Check & Send officer made me write a letter to include all my grandparents' details, which subsequently proved to be absolutely unnecessary.

Yes, for naturalized person, grandparents details are not required.

Also, they had some doubts about my photos, but I insisted on sending them and they were OK.

So I guess your vote is against PO C&S service...

We can make complaint about service & I'm talking about formal complaint to Post Office Ltd customer care

Also, you can inform passport office about it.

[jagcv4]

Well what ever is the case at this stage I am worried as I have sent original passports with the application! I was even forced to send my marriage certificate for my sons application even though both parents names were mentioned in my son's passport. I will wait for a little while and then will file a complaint.

[Monika_33]

It's really sad to hear post office refused to give that information. Only to offer you some solace... Check & Send service is tracked internally by every post office that offers it. When they have documents like your passport/naturalisation certificate, they can't afford to be careless.

It's your right to know delivery tracking number, you can insist on having it, if not, you should make a complaint.

I agree with your view of C&S service is bit waste of money if you are careful enough to fill form correctly.

Let's highlight benefit/drawbacks to future applicants to let them make their own decision.

Well, to start with the Post Office Check & Send officer made me write a letter to include all my grandparents' details, which subsequently proved to be absolutely unnecessary.
Also, they had some doubts about my photos, but I insisted on sending them and they were OK.

[p2kin]

It's really sad to hear post office refused to give that information. Only to offer you some solace... Check & Send service is tracked internally by every post office that offers it. When they have documents like your passport/naturalisation certificate, they can't afford to be careless.

It's your right to know delivery tracking number, you can insist on having it, if not, you should make a complaint.

I agree with your view of C&S service is bit waste of money if you are careful enough to fill form correctly.

Let's highlight benefit/drawbacks to future applicants to let them make their own decision.

[jagcv4]

Guys

I agree with you all. I sent in two applications on Feb 22nd and till now no news where they are. I think the post offices hold on to applications and then once they collect a bulk of them then they send this. This helps them save money I guess. I contacted Passport office and they cannot find us on their system, the worst part is, the post office is refusing to give us the details to track and send. I am fed up of this now. I STRONLY ADVISE NOT TO USE CHECK AND SEND. It will be best to send APPLICATIONS DIRECTLY. I haven't even received any text messages yet. This is testing my patience now.

[lad2777]

I called post office complaint dep, they are not able to tell me the tracking number when I tell them a barcode, simply check and send option seem to be a rip off. the lady said the post office has 21 days to deliver those documents to belfast, while I was assure by 3 post workers that it will be delivered to belfast on the next day.
I think they collect applications from all parts of London over 1 week or 2 , 3 weeks and they take them all together to Belfast as they fail to produce the tracking number, so in the other words service should be charged as 2nd class stamp and in fact is more expensive then next day special delivery

[p2kin]

its been 7 days since I sent my form and passport via check and send, post office assured me that would be delivered on the next day, now 7 days, there is no tracking no, neither Belfast nor post office has no idea where it is and I need my passport quickly

If you go back to same post office again & ask them special delivery tracking number by giving your barcode number, they should be able to give you royal mail reference number that you can track on royalmail website..

If that website says it's delivered, then there you go.. I'm not sure what's happening with passport office, I haven't seen any updates from anyone lately from mid feb onwards.. looks like all the Oct flood is now gone to passport office.. also, it doesn't help when there is poor communication from govt departments about applications.... specially status related...

[InUkOnHsmp]

Yes lad2777 completely agree with you, I am myself not a C&S fan. Not sure how a paid service is slower than sending the form yourself!

[lad2777]

its been 7 days since I sent my form and passport via check and send, post office assured me that would be delivered on the next day, now 7 days, there is no tracking no, neither Belfast nor post office has no idea where it is and I need my passport quickly

check and send such a rip off. I could have sent it cheaper with next day guaranteed delivery with tracking no