New UK passport: Wait times and how to speed up application despite Home Office warning
Some potential holidaymakers are forced to cancel their holidays because passports do not arrive in time.
It comes after Her Majesty’s Passport Office saw more than five million people delay renewing their passports in 2020 and 2021 as the pandemic hit the travel industry.
Now a backlog of applications has led to delays in processing times and the Home Office is warning expected travelers to prepare and apply as soon as possible.
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A spokesperson told Glasgow Live: “Due to Covid, over five million people have delayed applying for a UK passport throughout 2020 and 2021.
“In anticipation of the return of international travel demand, since April 2021 we have issued clear guidelines that our customers should allow up to ten weeks to obtain their passports.
“In busier periods, call wait times will take longer. However, we continue to work with our provider to recruit more and support efforts to bring response times closer to normal levels.”
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How long does it take to get a passport?
According to HM Passport Office, processing times can take up to 10 weeks.
If you are applying from another country, it may take longer.
How to register
You can either apply for a new passport or apply for a renewal.
Apply online to use the standard service.
You can also apply with a paper form at a post office. It costs an additional £9.50.
A standard passport costs £75.50 for an adult and £49 for a child.
How to get a passport faster
There are two ways to speed up the processing time, but you will need to make an appointment at the nearest passport office – There is one at Northgate, 96 Milton Street in Glasgow.
Premium online service
You can use the online premium service where the appointment lasts up to 30 minutes and this service is to renew an adult passport. See more here.
To use the Online Premium service, you will need:
- Your old passport
- A device that takes digital photos (such as a smartphone, tablet, or digital camera) and someone to take your photo
- A digital photo of you
It costs £177 or £187 for a 50-page frequent flyer passport.
You can only use Online Premium to renew an adult passport issued after December 31, 2001.
One week Fast Track
You will need to bring documents to the appointment and your new passport will be sent to you one week later.
You can use this service to:
- Renew an adult or child passport
- Change your name on your passport (for example with a marriage certificate or voting record)
- Make changes to your personal information on your passport (for example, your gender)
- Replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport
- Apply for a child’s first passport
It costs £142 for an adult passport (or £152 for a 50-page frequent traveler passport, or £122 for a child passport (or £132 for a 50-page frequent traveler passport).
You can make an appointment here.
If you need a passport urgently for essential reasons
If you need to travel urgently to obtain a passport for medical treatment or because a friend or family member is seriously ill or has died, call the Passport Adviceline instead.
What was your experience when applying for a passport? Let us know in the comments.
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