UK passport response time
 

I sent in applications for new UK passports for my 2 sons on Jan 22nd. Courier service provided record that the UK passport office received the application on Jan 30th. I have not heard back from them and it is approx 5 weeks. Can someone tell me how long it takes typically for new passport applications? Thanks in advance.

Re: UK passport response time
 

I assume you sent them to D.C? Are these first time applications? If so wait another week or two. If these are just renewals, you can try to PM the British Consul in Miami/Orlando: http://britishexpats.com/forum/member.php?u=93085 I would wait another week though before asking for help.
Just realized that you won' t be able to PM.

Re: UK passport response time
 

Thanks. yes, I sent them to DC and it is a first time application (not renewal). I'll wait another 2 weeks. Not sure how/where to contact the UK embassy in DC to get status information. The only thing I saw on their website was a phone number in the UK to call for general info and they charge per minute. I assume that calling that number wont help to get passport application status info.

Re: UK passport response time
 

Well, we have a British Consul who is a member of this forum. I gave you a link to his profile page. You should be able to private message him and he may be able to help you. You would need 3 posts to do this and as of now, you only have 2. Post again and you can PM him and ask for assistance. I tried calling the Careline number, and found it a fantastic waste of time. I wouldn't bother with it again.

Re: UK passport response time
 

Officially, a first time passport will take 6 weeks to process. http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/help-fo...ply/usa#timing. As a practical matter, however, it'll usually take between 6-10 weeks.

Ian

Re: UK passport response time
 

Not sure if this will be directly relevant to your case, but if you're using a US-based credit/debit card make sure that the appropriate institution is aware in advance that the charges are legitimate. My last renewal got sent back because my bank's fraud department decided that "British Embassy Government Account" looked shady - and once the charge is blocked three times, they'll just send your application back. (Yes, the bank was already aware of my nationality; yes, the fraud department is supposed to call me if something like this happens; no, they did not; yes, I am still annoyed about it.)

Re: UK passport response time
 

If it helps any when I recently sent my daughter's first time application it took exactly 6 weeks from them receiving it and me receiving the new passport.

Did you pay by bank card or credit card?
If so, check to see if the charge has posted.
In my case the bank card was charged about a week after the Passport Office got the application and they charged for the full amount of the application and return postage; it was about 5 weeks after that when we received the new passport.

good luck