MSE News: Passport backlog: What are your rights?

jasminebro2

waynehayes wrote: »

I'm slightly annoyed. I applied for my daughters renewal online 4 weeks ago, with myself as the signatory. Today I received a letter asking me to confirm that I have parental responsibility, as myself and partner are not married. I'm sure there was no mention of this when applying otherwise I would have put it in partners name.
More delays!

Sorry if I'm being dim, but is it because you're a father with a different surname that they're checking up on this, or is it just because you are a parent with a different surname?

waynehayes

jasminebro2 wrote: »

Sorry if I'm being dim, but is it because you're a father with a different surname that they're checking up on this, or is it just because you are a parent with a different surname?

My daughter has the the same surname as myself, but her mother and I aren't married.
As it was myself who made the application for my daughter, it is up to me to prove that I have Parental Responsibility. A mother applying wouldn't have to do this.

waynehayes

jasminebro2 wrote: »

It's not the Royal Mail, cos I sent mine Special Delivery on 12th and it was delivered and signed for on 13th, but the date the passport office officially state it arrived was 20th.

I guess it was sat in a big sack, until it was scanned onto their system on the 20th.

girl_afraid

My renewal took a week, I applied online and sent my declaration form and photos by Special Delivery on 25/06, received my new passport back on 02/07

balletshoes

jasminebro2 wrote: »

I don't think it's stupid to decide to believe the information on the passport office website that says you need to allow THREE weeks for your passport to arrive, and that if you are travelling in more than three weeks time it is NOT URGENT and you don't need to pay for a fast track application. Which information is still there on their website.
I am not stupid - I plan well
and don't make stupid mistakes. I also like to stay calm and follow the rules, and don't take up an appointment for an urgent passport that I don't need because I like to believe that if everyone does everything properly and follows the instructions then things will work out fine in the end. I hate to be late or to leave things to the last minute, and I am suffering from sleepless nights now because my daughter is looking forward to our first family holiday this summer and is talking about it constantly, and I can't stop thinking how a five year old just won't understand what has happened if her passport doesn't arrive and we can't go.

I have lived in UK all my life, and I have never myself or anyone I know experienced a situation where someone who follows the advice given has been left without a passport for when they needed it, although the disclaimers have always been there. Sure we have all heard of people who leave it to the last minute, book flights and then kick up a fuss because they can't renew their passport in three days. But the current situation is extreme, and what's more was not made public until it was too late for many people to do anything about it.

You can be all smug and call people stupid, but do you know what, what goes around comes around, and maybe one day you'll be caught out on something and we can all stand around pointing at you and calling you an idiot. Except some of us only get involved when we've got something useful or constructive to say.

when did you apply for your daughter's passport, and when are you going on holiday?

The news has been full of the passport application backlogs since at least the end of May. As the disclaimer on the passport website clearly states don't book a trip abroad without having a valid passport, planning well, to me, involves making sure we all have valid passports. I'm sorry, I wouldn't rely on a passport turnaround taking just 3 weeks (even though I know it can be a lot less than that) in low season, never mind the busiest time of the year for applications, in the run-up to summer holidays.

I hope your child's passport arrives in time and you all get off safely and have a great holiday .

lindsayr2403

I'm pleased I've found this forum - I'm having a NIGHTMARE! My sons name has been changed by deed poll recently - and whilst my passport can stay in my maiden name, I discovered that his has to be changed before we can travel. I telephoned the passport office around 3 months ago - asking what documents etc would be needed - and their expected turnaround. I was told 3-4 weeks. so, with money tight, I planned to pay and apply 7 weeks in advance. On 14th June, I sent via check and send - passport office confirmed receipt on 23rd June - with a text saying it would be 3 weeks and if I hadn't heard, I should call.
So, on Monday this week, I called. It was in processing. The advisor told me that it was still in processing (now taking around 4 weeks) but should be moving shortly - and to call back at the end of the week to check it was at printing.
I called today to chase again. It's still in processing. then was told it was more like 5 weeks for name changes. They have ALL my documents as well! (including my marriage certificate!). I travel first thing a week on Wednesday. I've been told to call on Tuesday to apply for free fast track - but they can't guarantee I would be accepted for it. I stayed calm on the phone - but if they had told me 3 months ago to apply there and then, I would have done. Now my whole family might miss their holiday. I'm furious. Has anyone had any joy with this fast track service actually working for them?

Kez1983

My brother and his partner are currently having a nightmare getting their first passport for their daughter born earlier this year.


The process has been made longer as she is a Portuguese national and he is British, but they applied in march, have had interviews and passport was apparently progressing fine. They have been chasing weekly for the past few weeks as they are due to go to Portugal next Thursday for a holiday and to take the baby to meet the family!


They have been told varying things from its been printed to they documents are still in Newport and haven't been processed yet. They have offered to pay to get it quicker or go to one of the passport offices but have been told its not possible.


They are well aware that they took a gamble booking the travel before having the passport but my brother only gets specific holidays and thought 4 months would be long enough.


Any help or advice for them would be appreciated!

bylromarha

bylromarha wrote: »

Anyone any update as to how long they are taking?

Hubby sent his renewal off 1st class 13th June (not recorded or special...just DON'T go there, he's already had an earbashing from me about it...)

Passport office claim they didn't get it until 26th June. 4 weeks from then, which is what they're claiming in their email, is approx turnaround time. 24th July is when it should be here by...waiting with baited breath.

Anyone else having Royal Mail take an extrordinarily long time to deliver to the Passport office?

Passport just arrived. Straight forward renewal - applied online, sent next day.

3 weeks they're stating on their website? 6 weeks in my experience

The 2 weeks sat in a postal sack not counting towards their targets and timescales does nothing for the mountains of tourists who rightly presume that when an application is received by the passport office, the clock starts ticking on the processing time.

dancemum

Has anyone renewed their passport recently? If so how long did it take? Thanks

classy69

I sent off my renewal on Tuesday 6th January, received it back on Thursday 8th January!