Passport Stolen. Holiday next week

[PopsandBangs]

As above really.

I’ve had my passport (along with some other inconsequential worthless things) stolen from my car.

We are due to go on an extremely desperately needed holiday next week (Friday 20th).

My flights, visas, hotels, insurance etc all booked with that passport, the latter two only yesterday.

House has been turned upside down, it’s gone.

I see the fast track passport service is completely buggered at the moment. Can’t even make an appointment.

Is that me done then?

[Hub]

Bugger

Was it nicked in a bag? Are you in an urban area? Pound the streets to see if anything was dumped, or check/ask on local Facebook group if anything has been found? Things often get dumped once they've gone through it.

[PopsandBangs]

Had exactly the same thought. Had a brief look up and down the road. Will have a more expansive search tomorrow.

It was in a clear plastic folder with some docs which I left in the boot. Came out to the car with door slightly ajar, and glovebox open. Boot opens with button by gearstick, even if car off

No idea what to do. Will try the passport office number tomorrow but I reckon im on a hiding to nothing

[PopsandBangs]

Setting aside what’s happened, all I give a fk about is going away with partner next week - is there anything else one can do apart from try and try with a fast track passport? Turn up to the Passport Office in person and grovel ?!

Edited by PopsandBangs on Wednesday 11th May 20:34

[GCH]

Usually they can't fast track or same day a stolen/lost passport. Exceptions can be made in office on a case by case basis - I had two missing passports replaced using the same day service within 4hrs so I can personally attest to this - but generally they say they can't.
Keep refreshing to check online for appointments here: https://www.passport.service.gov.uk/urgent/ not sure what time they add new ones, but they will appear at some point, although no idea if it'll be in several weeks time.
If you can get one, then go for it...

Otherwise try calling them and plead your case and get an appointment, which is of course the tricky part right now....although I've been trying to speak to a human for a week, and it puts you in a queue and soon after it cuts you off saying they are too busy!

Edited by GCH on Wednesday 11th May 20:42

[Mankers]

You can get a passport done in a day, you need to physically go into one of the regional offices. They have one in London and assume one oop north and out west. Good luck

[cb31]

That is terrible. Going off my personal dealings with the passport office over the years, I would resign myself to not going and if by some miracle you get an appointment and it all goes smoothly then unexpected bonus.

[Thankyou4calling]

I got a passport in a day at The Peterborough office a few years back.

I don’t know what it’s like now with the WFH and backlogs.

I guess you could go with a police crime number, birth certificate and all other ID.

Blimey I do feel for you.

Horrible situation and all the best.

On the plus side you aren’t due to go for 9 days so don’t give up.

[Rollin]

You used to be able to go to either a London or Liverpool office for sameday service.
I have no idea if this is still the case or whether it's been suspended due to backlogs.
It looks like you have to book an appointment for this service and they appear to be booked up.
If you are local to one of the offices I would go down and see what they say. I would think that they are likely to have no shows and cancellations.
I suppose it depends whether they do any preliminary checks when you initially book the appointment.

[Boringvolvodriver]

Thankyou4calling said:

I got a passport in a day at The Peterborough office a few years back.

I don’t know what it’s like now with the WFH and backlogs.

I guess you could go with a police crime number, birth certificate and all other ID.

Blimey I do feel for you.

Horrible situation and all the best.

On the plus side you aren’t due to go for 9 days so don’t give up.

I can only echo these sentiments and thoughts.

Keep on refreshing the web site for an appointment that may crop up or as TY4C says just turn up and take your chances.

Horrible situation but you do have some time to play with and hopefully will be sorted.

[PopsandBangs]

Thanks all.

Going to search everywhere again on the off chance it wasn’t it there (it was) and go to the Victoria office first thing in the morning.

All I can do really

[loskie]

holiday/travel insurance to cover losses?

[PopsandBangs]

loskie said:

holiday/travel insurance to cover losses?

only took it out 24 hrs ago...! Hope so if it comes to that. Has been a lot of money.

However going away on this trip we've planned and looked forward to for months/years is the priority.

Gutted.

[Rosscow]

I think you have time. Keep a positive mindset and get to the passport office. Good luck!

[Taita]

I know one or two people who have flown on photocard driving licence within the the EU pre-Brexit due to forgetting passport.

Likely a thing of the past.

Peterborough do same day, hammer f5 on the appointments page.

[extraT]

Taita said:

I know one or two people who have flown on photocard driving licence within the the EU pre-Brexit due to forgetting passport.

Likely a thing of the past.

Peterborough do same day, hammer f5 on the appointments page.

Sadly this is a thing of the past, even as a Brit in the EU, I can’t travel on an ID, has to be the full passport.

Good luck OP. Hoping it works out for you.

[K77 CTR]

A friend had to do an emergency replacement and they managed to get a next day appointment in Wales. Might be worth trying

[clio007]

Go into the London passport office

Get a letter from your work, company, business whatever. Highlighting how important the work business trip was for you.
Loss of revenue, important customer, huge project launch with people flying all over the world and your meeting them all etc

Collect your Same day passport

Don’t book an appointment. Just turn up.

[Traffic]

clio007 said:

Go into the London passport office

Get a letter from your work, company, business whatever. Highlighting how important the work business trip was for you.
Loss of revenue, important customer, huge project launch with people flying all over the world and your meeting them all etc

Collect your Same day passport

I'd also make sure you have a crime reference number from the police.

[PopsandBangs]

Stood in a queue for 3 hrs (no appointment), sorry , tough luck, try for an appointment, Next!

The fact it was stolen yesterday, the crime number and proximity to flight held no water. Was as politely and friendly persistent as possible. Computer says no. Same for everyone I overheard. Can try a special number for emergency "life or death" situations passport applications with evidence...

Managed to get through to the booking page for the Online Premium 1 day service online, but you cant use it if lost or stolen!

I think need I need to go up and try Peterborough tomorrow. And keep trying the online appointments.

Wandering around Victoria in a daze - need a beer