With summer holidays nearing, it is important that your passport is in date before you jet off.
But finding out your passport is out of date in the run-up to the prime holiday season can be a massive blow for many.
With recent rumours of delays at the passport office, here is how long it really takes to get your passport renewed, and how you can get it back faster.
The backlog at Her Majesty's Passport Office has been well documented.
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."
Passport renewals could take up to 10 weeks, so leave plenty of time before yours expires to renew it (
Getty Images)It continues: "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.
It's important you're well aware when your passport expires, and how to renew it (
Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)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.
If you're going on holiday soon, there are two ways to apply for an urgent passport (
UK HOME OFFICE/AFP via Getty Ima)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.
You can apply for a faster service if both of the following 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.
You 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.
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.
There is an unprecedented demand in passport renewals recently (
Getty Images)You 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.
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.
If you can't use the online service, you can book an appointment and pay over the phone. Call the Passport Adviceline to book and pay on 0300 222 0000.
