Passport renewal turnaround time?

[Timothy Bucktu]

Has anyone applied for a passport renewal recently? I'm going away in 6 weeks and just realised my passport expired last year...oops
Wondering how long it takes?
The other option is the double price fast track.

[TheInternet]

A couple of weeks ago the gov website said allow 5 weeks, it now says 10 weeks. Following an initial submission early April they have all my documents and I'm 4 weeks from a trip. Not a great position.

I'd save the hassle and fast track it if I were you.

[RammyMP]

I renewed mine in February, it took 3 weeks for the new one to come.

[TheInternet]

Passport waiting time nerds. Difficult/problem cases likely over represented here:

https://www.passportwaitingtime.co.uk/#times

[mfmman]

Just done my son's (possible added complications of expired child's 5 year to adult 10 year even though he was 15 at the time of application) 3 weeks end to end

[AdeTuono]

Just got mine new one. 3 weeks, end to end, using digital code for the mugshot.

Not received my old one back yet though.

[Countdown]

I sent mine off in the 3rd week of February and it arrived a few days ago. My daughter sent hers off separately and that took roughly the same amount of time. To be fair they texted me with progress reports regularly which lets you know that its not disappeared into the ether somewhere.

On a side note the new passports feel rubbish compared to the previous magenta ones. Also I believe you can no longer use the EU automatic passport gate thingies.....

[a311]

Submitted 14th January received 2nd Feb for my renewal.

Not sure I'd be brave enough to rely on it coming in 6 weeks by the standard speed.

[Old Merc]

There was a bit on TV a news about the old red passport, people were getting refused to fly?? Something about the expiry date?
Does anyone know the details. I take it that all RED passports are still valid.

[Countdown]

Old Merc said:

There was a bit on TV a news about the old red passport, people were getting refused to fly?? Something about the expiry date?
Does anyone know the details. I take it that all RED passports are still valid.

AIUI some airlines are insisting that the passport has at least 6 months left to run from the departure date which (apparently) isn't correct.

[ChocolateFrog]

Timothy Bucktu said:

Has anyone applied for a passport renewal recently? I'm going away in 6 weeks and just realised my passport expired last year...oops
Wondering how long it takes?
The other option is the double price fast track.

10 weeks and that was chasing them everyday for the last 3 weeks.

Definitely pay for the fast track if you actually want it to arrive.

[Jaguar99]

Countdown said:

Old Merc said:

There was a bit on TV a news about the old red passport, people were getting refused to fly?? Something about the expiry date?
Does anyone know the details. I take it that all RED passports are still valid.

From Gov.uk:
AIUI some airlines are insisting that the passport has at least 6 months left to run from the departure date which (apparently) isn't correct.

If you are planning to travel to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must meet the Schengen area rules.

Your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:

- less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’)
- valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

I sent mine off in October last year, the old one was well expired and I sent an actual physical photo for the new one. I used the standard service, no fast track or post office check service. Amazingly my new one arrived approximately a fortnight later!!!

[TheInternet]

ChocolateFrog said:

chasing them everyday for the last 3 weeks.

Did that achieve anything?

[NiceCupOfTea]

I renewed mine last December, did the digital photo. It took just over a week Submitted my application 28/11, approved 3/12, arrived 7/12.

[Old Merc]

Jaguar99 said:

Countdown said:

Old Merc said:

There was a bit on TV a news about the old red passport, people were getting refused to fly?? Something about the expiry date?
Does anyone know the details. I take it that all RED passports are still valid.

From Gov.uk:
AIUI some airlines are insisting that the passport has at least 6 months left to run from the departure date which (apparently) isn't correct.

If you are planning to travel to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must meet the Schengen area rules.

Your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:

- less than 10 years old on the day you enter (check the ‘date of issue’)
- valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

Thanks Jaguar,
I think I understand what can happen. My red passport runs from Feb 2019 to Feb 2029, exactly ten years.
But my wife’s red passport runs from Dec 2014 to Sept 2025 . Ten years and nine months, so it could be invalid at the end of 2024.

[akadk]

Pay for fast track

Had to move our holiday at significant cost due to their incompetence and delay

[Timothy Bucktu]

Thanks all. Trouble is, the fast track means going to London to collect it which is an expensive pita. I've gone with the standard service and I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed!

[prand]

Couple of weeks for my son's, earlier this month.

[akadk]

Timothy Bucktu said:

Thanks all. Trouble is, the fast track means going to London to collect it which is an expensive pita. I've gone with the standard service and I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed!

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/98346bbc-c4c6-11ec-96a8-ce9dac41fe90?shareToken=078222a1313826390d7f1b5f0f629d42


good luck, think you'll regret not going fast track