UK passport waiting times: How to beat the backlog

In recent months people have been complaining of long delays when trying to get a new passport.

Liverpool has seen queues around the block for the passport office as people frantically try to get the essential document sorted before they can finally relax on holiday. The backlog at Her Majesty’s Passport Office has been well documented, reported The Mirror.

With recent rumours of delays at the passport office, here is how long it really takes to get your passport renewed. We also take a look at how you can get it back faster.

At the end of April this year the Government department declared: “There is no backlog in passport processing as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, we are now seeing unprecedented demand as more than 5 million people delayed applying for passports during COVID-19 because of restrictions in international travel.”

It continued: “Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) anticipate 9.5 million British passport applications will be made this year and in March 2022 alone, HMPO processed more than one million new passport applications, the highest output on record.”

Reports of 10 week turnarounds followed and at the same time the passport office confirmed: “Since April 2021 HMPO have been advising people to allow up to 10 weeks when applying for their British passport. This remains the case.”

But has the situation improved?

According to a website which tracks passport processing times via a crowd sourcing method – passportwaitingtime.co.uk – on average, the majority of passport applicants are receiving theirs back within the 10 week timeframe quoted.

However, in an open letter submitted to HMPO, the organisation added that while this may the the case for many, others “have waited well over the 10 week guideline which has caused them to miss holidays, experience undue stress and financial loss. Whilst this is a small percentage of applicants it does equate to a vast number of people given the recent surge in demand for passports.”

The organisation adds that the current wait time for a first adult passport averages at around 41 days – roughly six weeks. And, a first adult passport that needs an accompanying interview is around 56 days. Normal adult passport renewals average better – at just 27 days.

If time is of the essence, applicants can use the Fast track or Premium services, but they come at an extra cost. There are two different prices though.

For a standard adult passport with 34-pages, it costs £75.50 if you apply online. And it costs £85.00 if you apply by paper form. Using the one-week fast track service will set you back £142 for an adult passport.

How to Fast Track your passport

If the non-urgent service is going to take too long, then you can fast track your application. However, you will need to book an appointment at a passport office and pay online at the time of booking.

There are offices in Belfast, Durham, Glasgow, Liverpool, London and Newport. Be aware that you may not be able to get an appointment straight away so don’t delay is accessing the service if you are in a hurry.

Who can apply

You can apply for a faster service if both of the following apply:

• you’re in the UK
• you need to renew or replace a passport, or get a first child passport

If you’re outside the UK, apply for an emergency travel document.

How to apply

There are two ways to apply for an urgent passport, either using the online premium service or the one week fast track service. You’ll pay a premium over the non-urgent service in each case.

Online Premium

ou get your new passport at your appointment. Appointments last up to 30 minutes. You can use this service to renew an adult passport. The cost of this service is £177 (or £187 for a 50 page frequent traveller passport). Apply for this service and details of what you’ll need to bring to the appointment are on the Government website.

• renew an adult or child passport
• change your name on your passport (for example with a marriage certificate or deed poll)
• make changes to your personal details on your passport (for example, your gender)
• replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport
• apply for a first child passport

If you decide to use this service you’ll need to get a paper application form from the Post Office, which you take with you tot he appointment, book an appointment online (you’ll need to pay the fee at this point) and fill in your application form and gather your documents before your appointment. All the details and appointment booking can be done on the government website.