has anybody renewed a UK child passport in the last few weeks?
I just completed the application online, the waiting time given was for 11 weeks I'm wondering if this is correct? I'm hoping its not
Thanks
Hi all,
I was listening to the BBC recently and there was a story about the long wait times for UK Passport renewal due to some sort of strike (shocking - the UK is getting worse than the French!)
I’ll see if I can find the information…
EDIT: It is a “walk out”
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-64987824
Maybe something in this recent thread helps: https://www.englishforum.ch/permits-…cument-uk.html
Had a colleague renew their passport.
Took 3 weeks-ish a month ago.
Yes it’s correct. HM passport are on strike for 5 weeks.
My husband renewed his - he filled out the form online and 2 and a half weeks later he got the new passport - even though it said it would take 11 weeks. It was returned last week so just before the strike action
Not directed at anyone in particular, but general food for thought:
At least in CH and USA, there's no rule against renewal well before expiry. I renewed my US passport several months early because i knew I'd be traveling.
Apparently Swiss who would like the passport with the new design can renew any time to get it.
Thanks all for your help. I'm always happy to be able to use forum as a source of info.
Seems that the passport office has been stating a 10 week turn around since 2022, although many applications are processed within 4 weeks.
The passport offices are on strike for 5 weeks April-start May.
Maybe as applying for a renewal from abroad it may take less time. Heres hoping.
I will update when I receive the renewed passport.
Am torn at the minute between:
- apply via usual 'overseas uk child passport' renewal process
- try and get a 7 day fast track appointment physically in the uk
problems with the first one: they're on strike (or not according to the passport office recorded message! lol)
problems with the second one: the apointments are so limited that the website is continually stating: 'there are no fast track appointments available' (there is a twitter bot that's tracking it but it's barely online before it's off again)
It's also not possible to go down the same day premium service as it is for a child (not an adult)
Anyone have further updates about the 'regular overseas renewal speed'?
Applied to renew on 3rd April, from France, delivery to the UK delayed by Easter holidays. New passport due to be delivered this coming Monday, 24th.
Just an update to this thread, we applied for UK passport renewal for my little one. Not so little now, as the renewal is for a 10 year adult passport.
Did the renewal ONLINE, no problems.
Website asked for "Colour photocopy of every page of Swiss passport".
So I rang up the UK passport office, and the helpful chappy said "Yes, every page, and one passport page per photocopy, not double sided" !!!
We decided, that HM Passport office is now His Majesty, and King Charles is very eco conscious, so we sent copy with 8 CH passport pages per A4 sheet, in colour. ( 4 doubles )
Sent off with the pre-printed label ( from the website ), registered post. Mid August.
We received e-mail updates from UK passoort office, during processing and then the DHL parcel was delivered about 3 weeks later. New UK blue passport, old red UK passport and the CH photocopy.
ALL Good.
It always says "There are different turnaround times if you’re applying from another country." but never says what they are.
I recently applied for a renewal of my country of origin passport. Wasn’t certain if I should send it to the consulate in Geneva or the embassy in Berne. Chose the former and received my new passport in 8 working days.
It typically takes 3 to 4 weeks when renewing from Switzerland, just my own experience with several different renewals
Mine, and the documents, came back last week, so it was 3 weeks total.
Hope that helps
Not directly related, but I take the opportunity to complain that Italy took 3 months.
Just did my passport renewal from the Swiss, and it was so smooth, which was pleasantly surprising.
1) Photo taken using my mobile phone
2) Filled in the online application (easy enough to do) and photo accepted, paid the costs (£113.86)
3) Went to the post office to buy an envelope and send the old passport back via "einschreiben". They recommended i also fill in a Tax declaration form or something of the sort, cant remember the name of it. All in all, cost about 10 CHF.
Duration end to end: 4 weeks
Was very happy with the service.
The wife’s application took just over two weeks. And then they sent the new one by DHL separately from her (invalidated) old one?
Not only is DHL the worst shipper in Switzerland (unable to give a time, only a day) why did we have to wait for them twice?
The return time of my old passport was the cause of a significant part of the delay in the processing time of my new passport. Had I used a "priority" instead of "standard" post method, it could have reduced the wait for the new one. Ensure that the old passport is treated as a "document" and not "goods" because the latter requires a customs declaration.
funny you should mention that, DHL said it was supposed to be signed for, i found it left in the letter box.
Should i complain to DHL about it? Or am i just kicking up a fuss about it!