Quickest way to get a passport renewal processed and returned

TeamBandS

TeamBandS

Joined
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Hymer 504i A Class
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Since 2016 & 20+ shed dragger
Afternoon all, Can anyone share their recent experiences in getting a passport renewed? My understanding is there are three way to do this:
1. Take your own compliant photograph and do the renewal on line.
2. Send a compliant photograph with a completed paper application.
3. Get a photo booth photograph and get the PO to check the application and send off.

We are not back from our holiday in France until mid September and I will need a renewed passport for mid January when we depart for Spain (yes all 90 in 180 compliant!)

I have heard tales of super long processing times and other reports of quick turnarounds. Members recent experience and recommendations appreciated.
 
We had a mixed response, both applied for online. Alan's was back within a couple of weeks, mine took about 4 or 5 weeks but this was earlier this year.
 
We have a similar situation.
We are going to apply end of September and hope 3 months, in mid winter, is long enough to get the new one.
 
We found it to be a nightmare to take your own photo and for it to be acceptable to their on-line application, and when it indicated that it was acceptable and forwarded it for Yvette's passport renewal, the photo was then rejected and I had to go through taking yet more photo to please their sodding on-line software.

When the photo was accepted Yvette's new passport took 10 days to arrive. This was January this year.

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Last edited:
My thinking is the same as Brains - hopefully the application will be after the Summer last minute rush. My fears are similar to what Two on Tour experienced with photographs.

Anyone used the Post Office checking service - I did use it many years ago but have no idea if it helps anymore.
 
TeamBandS said:
I did use it many years ago but have no idea if it helps anymore.
Click to expand...
Hi
I used the GPO some years ago,paid money up front....... NO PASSPORT came back. Phoned Passport HQ and was told. " Yes it had arrived,but a letter attached said i was not the person on the Passport............ WHAT ?..... I even had one of my Lumberjack shirts on. !! Booked and then went to Peterborough Passport Office with an appointment,TWO of us done in10 mins and they came back within a fortnight.

Just checked. Peterborough Passport Office " APPOINTMENT ONLY " still working. I think there is one in Liverpool as well. Best of luck .
Tea Bag
 
I did mine online with own photo uploaded.
Frequent updates from passport office and back with me in 14 days. Mine was handled by the Belfast office, you don't get to choose though.
This was in may when it was on the news about delays and people missing holidays.
 
We have done both ours recently one in May & one in June & did them online. Mine in May took 2 weeks, the other applied in June took nearly 3 weeks. You take the photo, apply online & send your old passport to them in the post with the reference number generated online. They text you when they receive it & again when they send it out so you know when to expect it in the post. All quite straightforward.
 
Tufty, Can I ask do you send the photo to them with the old passport?

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No the photo is uploaded online and they are quite particular about it.
Needs to include upper torso, they then crop it down to what you expect a pp photo to look like.
It needs good lighting, no shadows, no smiles etc
 
Always no 1. Read and follow the photo instructions carefully and wont have a problem.
Next door sent for one on July 1st and got it on the 11th.
 
I did mine online a couple of years ago took 5 days, wife did here's last year took 3 weeks.
End of September is after the holiday season you won't have any problems.
 
TeamBandS said:
Tufty, Can I ask do you send the photo to them with the old passport?
Click to expand...
No you upload the photo. You only send the old passport and the online reference number generated from your application to them
 
Depends how quickly you need it. To answer the question exactly, the quickest way is to take docs etc and renew personally at the Passport Office.
I had to do that for my dippy DIL a week before her flight to Australia.

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I have recently renewed mine. Took 14 days including weekends by submitting everything online and returning my old passport by special delivery
 
Looking at your timelines you describe, I think whatever option you choose you‘ll be absolutely fine. I did mine online last year and the turnaround was approximately 2 weeks that was mid-September. Just follow the instructions carefully and you’ll be fine. 👍
 
Just had mine done with the whole process taking less than 2 weeks.

Super simple if you can find a photo booth that takes your picture and provides a code that can be used with your online application. You still get a physical copy (including a copy of the code), but the code means the photo is automatically retrieved as part of the online process. Furthermore, the booth won’t upload the photo unless it meets the passport approved standard.

FWIW, the booth I used was in the Tesco store in Carbis Bay, Cornwall

Online passport application link on this page here https://www.gov.uk/renew-adult-passport/renew

PS. You still need to send in your old passport (a post office signed for service is recommended).
 
They will send your old passport back to you if you ask. They cut the corner of the front cover off. Still got the visas from my trucking days.
 
Thanks to everyone who has shared their experiences and knowledge. Reassured that most seem to get their new passport in 2 to 3 weeks which will be fine for me. I plan to get a digital photo and then apply on line sending existing passport by signed for post service. I hope I have correctly picked out all the best advice!!

As ever this forum proved to be a real help. Thanks.

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I did mine online recently. Took own photo on iPad. New passport arrived in 2 Weeks.
Totally hassle free.
 
Seems i might be the longest at 19 days in January which i thought was pretty dam quick in comparison to some stories that appeared on here from newspapers. Uploaded photos
 
We did ours early this year no problems with the pictures and back in under 3 weeks. I also did daughter's and the system would not accept her picture, we did about 10 pics and all were rejected, she has a pale complexion and blond hair, against a white wall it failed their system. All the pics looked ok so we sent it anyway. It came back in 3 weeks with no problem.
 
Get the photos done professionally.
Many places offer the service, the cost is minimal compared to rejection if they are not 'right'

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TeamBandS said:
Afternoon all, Can anyone share their recent experiences in getting a passport renewed? My understanding is there are three way to do this:
1. Take your own compliant photograph and do the renewal on line.
2. Send a compliant photograph with a completed paper application.
3. Get a photo booth photograph and get the PO to check the application and send off.

We are not back from our holiday in France until mid September and I will need a renewed passport for mid January when we depart for Spain (yes all 90 in 180 compliant!)

I have heard tales of super long processing times and other reports of quick turnarounds. Members recent experience and recommendations appreciated.
Click to expand...
You can also get the application fast tracked:
www.gov.uk

Get a passport urgently

Renew or replace a passport urgently with the 1 day Premium service or the 1 week Fast Track service.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
 
Gizmouk said:
You can also get the application fast tracked:
www.gov.uk

Get a passport urgently

Renew or replace a passport urgently with the 1 day Premium service or the 1 week Fast Track service.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
Click to expand...

I have used the one-day service at the Petty France office in Victoria: I had the appointment for 1000 which was quick and returned to collect the new passport after 1600. Then it was £75, I think, now £177.

It was worth it to me at the time.
 
own photo against a plain painted wall background with plenty of window light and no shadows (not cliff or hank).
12 days
 
I used the post office photo booth which then gives a code to use on line, passport back 13 days later.
 

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