Passport renewal: How long

D.P. · 8 Jan 2019 at 16:58

I need to get my passport renewed but I have a lot of travel in the next months. UK GOV websites says it takes 4 weeks but I don't really have 4 weeks between travel dates before the passport expires. Some countries are Schengen so I only need my driving license to fly, but getting into and out of the UK might be difficult, especially as I have at least 1 trip post BREXIT.

I can't get an emergency passport appointment at a British Embassy.

So, does anyone have recent experience? I have one window with 4 weeks, but if anything is delayed then I am at risk of not being able to travel.

Zefan · 8 Jan 2019 at 16:59

Can't you book an appointment at Newport? I also believe they have a fast track option now, but it does cost you. These things are definitely within the scope of Google.

Royal Fleet · 8 Jan 2019 at 17:00

My wife did hers recently - came back within the working week last Friday. Hers was done online. YMMV

stockhausen · 8 Jan 2019 at 17:02

If it is a straightforward renewal, without any changes, you should be able to get it done easily within four weeks - take a digital photo and do it online.

D.P. · 8 Jan 2019 at 17:04

Zefan said:
Can't you book an appointment at Newport? I also believe they have a fast track option now, but it does cost you. These things are definitely within the scope of Google.

Fast track passports are only for UK residents, so I have to apply the standard online way.

D.P. · 8 Jan 2019 at 17:05

stockhausen said:
If it is a straightforward renewal, without any changes, you should be able to get it done easily within four weeks - take a digital photo and do it online.

The process does seem simple but the website says 4 weeks, so I really want to know if it is more like 2 weeks or 4 to 5 weeks. There is no real time info available.

D.P. · 8 Jan 2019 at 17:06

Royal Fleet said:
My wife did hers recently - came back within the working week last Friday. Hers was done online. YMMV

thanks good to know. I will have to allow a few more days for international postage but this seems fine.

Zefan · 8 Jan 2019 at 17:23

D.P. said:
Fast track passports are only for UK residents, so I have to apply the standard online way.

I did wonder at the bottom when you mentioned embassies, however I figured if you weren't a UK resident you would have stated it clearly.

mattyy · 8 Jan 2019 at 17:35

Did mine just before Christmas using the standard online service. I also used a photo booth with ‘Cloud’ photos.
Sent my old passport off on the Monday on a special delivery service and got my replacement on the following Tuesday.

I think providing all information is correct eg. Just a standard renewal, and that you get your existing passport to them ASAP (because they will not start to process your application until that arrives with them) then a week tops isn’t unrealistic.

OllyM · 8 Jan 2019 at 17:37

D.P. said:
thanks good to know. I will have to allow a few more days for international postage but this seems fine.

I renewed my UK passport from the USA last April and it took less than two weeks from mailing the old passport off via USPS to receiving the new one.

cheesyboy · 8 Jan 2019 at 17:39

Did mine a little over a year ago and I reckon it was done within 2 weeks. Went for the online photo option.

wedrum · 8 Jan 2019 at 17:47

Yup takes a week or there abouts

Housey · 8 Jan 2019 at 17:56

In the past I headed to Liverpool and within 4 hours got my passport.

Azza · 8 Jan 2019 at 18:05

I did mine in October through the website.

Sent it away on the 8th special delivery. They had it on the 9th. They aporoved and sent my new one on the 10th. I got my new one on the 11th.

Easy.

Drollic · 9 Jan 2019 at 09:57

You'll be fine with 4 weeks at this time of year.

Deleted member 651465 · 9 Jan 2019 at 10:09

I got a renewal last year (standard cost) and it came back within the working week. I did pay for the post office to check the application, for peace of mind.

If you aren't changing your name or any details then I imagine it should be straight forward. Also, it's January so probably a lot less people needing a last minute renewal for their summer holidays

Mr^B · 9 Jan 2019 at 10:18

It's taken anywhere from a week to 5 weeks for me in the past couple of years. For a price, you can get a same-day fast-track service though, if you can get to the main passport office in Victoria.

bsoltan · 9 Jan 2019 at 12:35

Thinking generally; presumably you can renew a passport any time, you don't have wait for it to expire?

Rifte · 9 Jan 2019 at 13:14

I renewed my daughter's passport in India recently.

According to the DHL tracking number, they sent it back to the UK for processing.

I submitted it on Friday 7th of December, I had it back on the 17th.

D.P. · 9 Jan 2019 at 13:20

Thanks everyone, looks like I wont have an issue and will submit it end of Feb.

Passport renewal: How long

Capodecina

Deleted member 651465

Deleted member 651465