Passport renewal – recent experiences?

[bd85uk]

Hi

Are there any recent experiences of passport renewal times at the moment. Just realised mine is over 10 years old and hoping to go on a virgin cruise at the end of July. Would it be worth getting fast track or holding out?

Thanks

Ben

[NorthernLass]

Holding out for what, exactly? But at this point I’d definitely not be taking any risks.

[bd85uk]

Probably wrong choice of words!

I’d imagine fast track is probably better, just checking others recent experiences

[nectar collector]

https://www.passportwaitingtime.co.uk/ Will give you a sense of current times, but as per @NorthernLass, with a cruise booked for July I’d be taking no chances and would opt for the fastest option even at extra cost……

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

The sooner you apply for the renewal the sooner you’ll get the nee passport back!

Delays with renewals aren’t often with HMPO but in they’re getting the old one.

First applications take longer because of the additional security checks and the need to send additional documents such as birth certificates.

Renewals go into a different work stream and is more automated so quicker.

You can apply online tonight (including taking the photo) then pop off to the post office tomorrow and HMPO should have the old passport on Friday if you use next day delivery.

[SamG]

The problem you’ve got is if for some reason it falls out of the automation you’ve got no easy way to chase it up before 10 weeks are up. So I’d pay and do the fast track personally !

[AJA]

I applied online via the standard route on 27 May and passport office confirmed receipt of old passport on 30 May. Not heard a word since then but am hoping that I will get my new passport in the next 2 weeks per the timescale at the website in nectar collector’s post. Will update when I get my passport.

But if you are booked for July I also recommend the fastest option though it’s still a risk you won’t get it back in time.

[strickers]

Mine took 3 weeks in May, it would have been quicker but they needed an employers letter for my second passport which delayed it about a week.

[bd85uk]

Hi

Just thought I’d come back to this and give an update. Passport has just arrived at my house, so took a week!

Passport printed 5:34am on 12 June 2023
Application approved 1:46am on 10 June 2023
Documents received 2:12pm on 9 June 2023
Application received 7:09pm on 6 June 2023
Application submitted 7:08pm on 6 June 2023

Hopefully this might help some out

Thanks

Ben

[AJA]

Glad you got your passport so promptly. I forgot to update this thread with my timescale (i did update my own thread). I received my passport last Friday 9 June so it took just two weeks from applying using the standard online application process.

[ExpatInBerlin]

OH has had to send his passport and birth certificate off to the Passport Office for a renewal with name change due to his current (soon expiring) passport omitting his middle name. He sent them both together tracked and signed for on Monday and Royal Mail notified him of them being signed for at HMPO at 10am on Tuesday morning, but as of just now the online tracking on https://www.passport.service.gov.uk/ still hasn’t been updated. It does say “There will be a gap between your courier delivering to us, and this tracking page being updated to show receipt.”, but can anyone who has recently gone through the renewal process please advise how long it actually takes for them to update the site? We were hoping to squeeze in a pre-Christmas weekend in Bruges but I’m obviously holding off booking anything until we have his new passport. TIA!

[Mick S]

Apologies for hijacking this thread.

My passport runs out in Feb 24 and I might need to get over to the US early November for a couple of weeks. I already have a valid ESTA, am I correct in thinking the 6 month rule doesn’t apply? From what I’ve read, the UK is on a list with several other countries where this requirement is waived.

[AJA]

Mick S wrote:

Apologies for hijacking this thread.

My passport runs out in Feb 24 and I might need to get over to the US early November for a couple of weeks. I already have a valid ESTA, am I correct in thinking the 6 month rule doesn’t apply? From what I’ve read, the UK is on a list with several other countries where this requirement is waived.

From gov.uk

Passport validity
If you are visiting the USA your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. You don’t need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this.

[TJones]

I renewed my passport last month. I applied online and posted the old one off to Corby on Tuesday afternoon, and had the new one in my hand on Friday morning.

[strickers]

Passport renewals still quick, applied and posted Monday, new one arrived Saturday.

[DanielD]

For a recent experience on this:

Passport printed – 10:33pm on 25 April 2024
Application approved – 6:33am on 25 April 2024
Documents received – 8:26pm on 24 April 2024
Application received – 5:28pm on 19 April 2024
Application submitted – 5:27pm on 19 April 2024

And due to be with me tomorrow (26 April), according to Royal Mail.

[memesweeper]

My recent experience:
– applied online at the weekend
– old passport in post Monday, tracked 24
– replacement arrived Friday

… can’t argue with that service!

[tygerbright]

went for the standard service for 3 x passports

– 18th March: Applied online
– 27th March: new passports received

Not too shabby at all