Passport office have lost my renewal

LMS123

Hi. I applied for a passport renewal on 24 March. I had an email from them on 30th to say they had received my old passport. The application tracking number said it was being processed. Since then - nothing. I emailed them through their contact form and they replied that they couldn't trace my application and to give them my address and DOB, which I did .Their reply was they were short staffed etc due to covid19 and to track my application online. When I entered my tracking number (yet again) it now turns out to be invalid! So I cant even track the application now! I have emailed them again and asked for an update , saying I would take this further. I plan to phone the complaints next, if I can get through but, failing that, what are my options?

askeym

When do you expect to travel?

NoodleDoodleMan

Unless your travel is imminent, I would suggest holding off until a full investigation can be conducted.

If you still have a problem - contact your MP - some years ago our local MP told me that government bodies and departments etc. give priority to MP's official enquiries ahead of routine stuff.

smudge56

HMPO are working with about a tenth of their staff at the moment. The staff who are not off with CCOVID 19 or shielding are helping DWP with universal credit claims which are probably a bit more urgent than non existent travel.  Your application will be processed. You just have to be patient.

LMS123

Thanks all.I now have an email from them virtually saying not to contact them as they're short staffed. There's quite a few blogs all saying the same so I'll just wait it out. I've cancelled my holiday anyway

TELLIT01

As you have evidence that they received your old passport there shouldn't be too much of a problem, and certainly no additional cost to you.  How did you pay?  If by cheque, look at your bank statements to see whether or not it has been cashed.