Replacement Passport taking long time

Gandrews1

Hi, I sent off for a replacement passport on July 10th 2012 via the post office check and send. I sent the old damaged passport with the completed form and photos. It will of been with the Durham Passport Office for a month on wednesday and all i am getting is the standard email saying they received it and it is going through the examiniation process. I even phoned the helpline number and the man said the same, he also said that means it is either being looked at or in a queue to be looked at, so very helpful (rolls eyes)
I just wanted to know if anyone was having the same sort of problems or if there was any advice. Dont get me wrong i know the check and send service is not a guaranteed 2 weeks but i just worry it is lost in translation somewhere so to speak without anyone looking to check for me and just sending me standard emails etc.
Also please note before anyone says it i booked my holiday months ago prior to washing the blooming passport although i am kicking myself for using it in the first place :-(
Any advice or information will be greatly appreciated as i am due to fly out on 15th August (Next wednesday).

silvasava

Can't offer you much encouragement although when DH applied for his in May (with a bank holiday & the Jubilee) it was back from Durham on the Thursday before we went away on the Saturday - phew.
I did have more luck tracking it online & they are sent out by same day courier when they're finished - Good Luck

Incapuppy

There have been quite a few delays recently:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3989635

mynameistallulah

Yes, there are significant delays at the moment. Given the short time before you go away, I would be calling and asking if you could book to attend the office (you will pay extra to do this).

Gandrews1

I dont think i am able to have any extra service as it is a replacement and when i sent it off the option of fast track or premium service was unavailable for a replacement otherwise i would of used one of these services :-\
I guess i will check the post tonight and if nothing still tomorrow i will have to try phonning them again see if i can get anywhere??

mynameistallulah

Is it a renewal or is it a replacement due to damage? The former is allowed on the premium service, the latter is not.

smudge56

You can either make a premium appointment with your local office and withdraw your application at Durham - or if your local office IS Durham you can upgrade. Examiner can use discretion to give upgrade/premium service on a replacement passport. (If you book a Premium application at another they should deduct the £77.50 that you initially paid from the fee - they may tell you that you have lost your original fee but this is incorrect)

Sonia138

You must contact Durham direct. If you still don't have passport let me know and will give you more info as same happened to me and i got passport yesterday and flying Thursday....!

Gandrews1

I phoned yesterday and asked to be transferred but they said the line was busy so i can phone again today and am down for a call back :-/
It is for a replacement passport as it was damaged (i washed it) it wasnt totally unreadable etc just very flimsy and the pages were bowing a bit but the picture part was ok i just didnt want to take the risk of getting to the airport (flying with ryanair :-( ) and being turned away.....
If anyone can help with what to do...
The lady yesterday said they are turning round passport replacements in around 4 weeks and that is today but she said she couldnt see on her computer if it was being examined or waiting as all it said was processing etc.....I need to talk to someone in Durham but she wouldnt give me the number as she said they are so busy....

Sonia138

This is the direct Durham number 0845 129 0044. They won't give it out. General number on the Wed told me passport had not been looked at. Phoned Durham on the Thursday and told it was approved and passed to printing and arrived on the Monhday....! the info the general number has is useless. Good luck

Gandrews1

Thank you so much i will try this now and let you know what they say :-) fingers crossed