Passport renewal

[JulietRomeo]

Mrs has just submitted a standard passport renewal request which has a turnaround time of 4 weeks. We fly out on Feb 8th… I’ve just run the math by her and she got flooded with tears.

Anyone have insight into current turnaround times? Shall we call them tomorrow to move to a fast track/ in person application?

[E63eeeeee...]

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-pas...

[E63eeeeee...]

Currently running at 4 weeks, so I'd suggest a call and an upgrade.

[emperorburger]

Passport renewal for my 5 year old son towards the end of last year was an absolute disaster, taking over 10 weeks.

[Vipers]

Can’t you still go to the passport office in person, (with a booked appointment), or have they stopped it?

[JulietRomeo]

Thanks gents - will call tmrw to alter to 1 week fasttrack

[RammyMP]

Mine runs out next month, I’ve had a couple of texts from the Passport Office saying it’ll take up to 10 weeks.

[DavePanda]

Did you do it online with a code? Mine was back with me in 5 days suing this method. Paper applications can take up to 10 weeks

[RammyMP]

Mine runs out next month, I’ve had a couple of texts from the Passport Office saying it’ll take up to 10 weeks.

[JulietRomeo]

DavePanda said:

Did you do it online with a code? Mine was back with me in 5 days suing this method. Paper applications can take up to 10 weeks

Yep online and now got to send the passport in tomorrow. However will upgrade to the 1 week fasttrack.

Lucky I checked, I was idly browsing the pcr requirements on gov website this evening when I saw the reminder for 6 months valid passport. We fly 8-17feb, her passport expires 22july.

In hindsight I almost got a 10 holiday to myself in Dubai, dang why did I go check her passport!

[Jeffmaniac]

Mid- December I renewed my expired passport online.

Took 2 weeks.

Used the online method and pics done by Timpson so checked and code used to preload the mugshot.

Edited by Jeffmaniac on Wednesday 19th January 23:20

[Rosscow]

We had the same issue and didn’t want to take the risk so paid for the week turnaround.

Booked appointment and went up to London on Tuesday the 4th Jan. Passport came through the door on the Friday!

Lots of people and queues at the Passport Office, took about an hour or more.

[mikeiow]

Jeffmaniac said:

Mid- December I renewed my expired passport online.

Took 2 weeks.

Used the online method and pics done by Timpson so checked and code used to preload the mugshot.

The same timeframe for MrsMikeIOW in December.
We did the photo ourselves using their guidelines and a pale wall!
The main problem for the OP is there are no guarantees….maybe line up her best friend to take?

[JulietRomeo]

mikeiow said:

The same timeframe for MrsMikeIOW in December.
We did the photo ourselves using their guidelines and a pale wall!
The main problem for the OP is there are no guarantees….maybe line up her best friend to take?

Wow you have no idea how close to home that last comment is! Her bff is a seasoned traveller and would jump at it. Can’t wait to show the mrs your suggestion!

[Meeten-5dulx]

Flew to Dubai and didn’t have 6m remaining on the passport.
Realised the day before so had no option…..

Didn’t guess the automated passport checks, went to scary looking man.

Passed without a mention and when I was out of sight I was punching the air with delight.
Wife was looking at me wondering wtf.

Took a ‘limo’ to the hotel instead of a regular taxi.

[Chucklehead]

First passport for my daughter took two weeks at the start of December. At the time I think it said 6 weeks.

[75Black]

You should be fine, I sent off my application online on the 4th Jan, old passport sent off the next day. Status updated on Monday morning 10th to say old passport received, then the application was approved and passport was printed and sent that same day and received it Wed 12th.

[Old Merc]

Can I sort of hijack this thread and ask another question about passports.
As they all have a micro chip could it be technically possible to have your Covid vaccination record added. That would save a lot of hassle at airports.

[E63eeeeee...]

Old Merc said:

Can I sort of hijack this thread and ask another question about passports.
As they all have a micro chip could it be technically possible to have your Covid vaccination record added. That would save a lot of hassle at airports.

The chip standards are set by an international organisation, so you'll have to start negotiating with them. This may take some time, and quite possibly they would see this as the start of a slippery slope of adding non-passport data, plus you wouldn't want to have to get a new passport each time you got a vaccination. There are almost certainly better ways to meet the same need.

[Paul Dishman]

Just renewed both our passports and have had them back within two weeks. Mine went on a paper form and my wife’s was done online, delayed by us having to go into Exeter to get an acceptable mugshot done.