Praise - Newport passport office

KME91

For various reasons I needed to renew my passport in a very short space of time, so I booked an appointment at Newport passport office to get it done on the premium service, which guarantees renewals in 4 hours if everything is in order with your application.

When I looked online it said up to two weeks for an appointment, but the earliest one I could get was actually less than a week away from when I phoned, so that was better than I expected for a start.

When I went in they checked my appointment time, because the rules state that you should be no more than 15 minutes early. They sent me through the metal detectors, and the reception lady gave me a number. My number was called before I even had time to sit down, which was nice. I went to the booth, another lady took my paperwork, checked through it and was really friendly. I paid my money and got a receipt and a time to come back. I was in the building a whole 2 minutes i think.

I went back 4 hours later, waited in line about 3 minutes, got my new passport, and my old one with the corners cut off, and that was that. The security guy even lent me his pen to fill in the comments card.

It's not the cheapest way to get a passport, but I couldn't afford to wait the two weeks for the cheaper options. It was really quick while I was in there and the staff were really lovely, I was really impressed with the service, I'd definitely do it again. The only rubbish bit was the four hour wait!

Zero_Gravitas

I agree with this completely - last time I had to renew my passport I went to Newport and had a similar positive experience with the passport office.

However - take something to do during the 4 hours, or arrange to go somewhere else. After 4 hours in Newport, my will to live had dwindled to almost nothing...

Best Regards,

ZG.

gayleanne

Zero_Gravitas wrote: »

I agree with this completely - last time I had to renew my passport I went to Newport and had a similar positive experience with the passport office.

However - take something to do during the 4 hours, or arrange to go somewhere else. After 4 hours in Newport, my will to live had dwindled to almost nothing...

Best Regards,

ZG.

I agree with you Newport has nothing but empty shops, charity shops, and a cafe next to every charity shop. If you have a car head for Cwmbran 4 miles away with free parking and a brilliant shopping center.

MrsAtobe

Or you can head down to Pill, and go on the transporter bridge, or go to Tredegar Park and chill out. This is a money saving site, after all. If you have a car, there's a little known nature reserve in Pontnewynydd that is absolutely stunning. But I do have to agree, Cwmbran has a far better shopping centre than Newport.

bubblegumcola

Have to say that the level of service I received in the Glasgow passport office earlier in the year was very good as well. I chose the passport in a week service, had an appointment on the Friday afternoon and it was delivered to my door on the Tuesday. All the staff were very polite and I have to say the chap that served me was really good, chatty, friendly. I didn't expect the passport office to be like that at all, I thought I would get a total grilling about the lost passport. Really efficient service.

KME91

I have to say, as someone who rarely goes anywhere without a book or five, I managed to fill my time in the Newport Library, I just found a quiet spot and curled up with a book. Very MSE