Child's First Passport

JEEC

Has anybody applied for a child's 1st passport in the last couple of months, and, if so how long did it take to come back?
I sent our little one's passport off on Monday using check and send (I would happily have paid for an express same day service where you make an appointment and go to Liverpool or wherever but the fast track options aren't available for children's first passports).
We'd like to go away in approx 4 weeks (Friday 7th September), so I'm just trying to work out if I would be better spending my time looking for a holiday abroad or if my time would be better spent looking at alternative options in the UK.
We're stuck to our holiday dates due to struggling to get the same week off at both mine and OH's employers, but are happy to wait until the 6th September to book anything, we've booked last minute before. Initially we were planning on going away in October but as we were both unable to get the time off simulataneously we've had to move our holiday dates forward hence why the passport wasn't applied for sooner.

Winky,_The_House_Elf

I would look at alternitives if I was in your position, just as a back up.

I think there are some serious delays in getting passports back at the moment, as it's peak season.

Just saw this on the direct.gov website


First time applicants will:

• take a minimum of six weeks (not guaranteed) but you should allow more time in case IPS needs to contact you or a countersignatory for extra information

If you don't mind a last minute booking may be keep your options open, but have plan b ready?

mummyyummy_2

our kids took 3 weeks exactly, but if you use check and send you can start calling them for updates after 2 weeks. they will tell you status of application...whether accepted, send to printers, printed etc so do that at 2 weeks and you'll know where you stand...good luck

Maydot

My DH's first passport was back from Liverpool in 3 weeks and 6 days (received by them on 13th July) and he had to go for an interview - obviously not needed for a child's passport!

They did not contact his countersignatory (I believe this is random) but if they do I understand this can really slow things down as the contact is by 2nd class snail mail and relies on a speedy response. I have read of one family having to resubmit a new form as their countersignatory was on holiday when IPS contacted them - if you're working to a tight time scale then this can be a real problem!

I was told that although April to Sept is their busiest time the bulk of the rush is over now as the majority of applications are needed for the start of the school holidays but that's not from an official source.

Good luck and fingers crossed for you

keigcf

We just had our 3 children done, 2 were fairly quick (month) the 3rd however I did not send the right birth certificate (I sent the one that had been issued 16 years ago) So I had to apply for a full one which took time, that then took him to just before his 16th birthday so they sent an adult form to fill in, then he had to go for an interview. His in total took 2 months and I was panicking as the holiday was booked! it arrived 3 days before we went.