Passport Renewal

[bulleidboy]

I have this morning renewed my passport at the Post Office. Having checked online it said my post office would do everything - just bring in your old passport and pay £91.50 (this includes the £16 post office handling charge).
What it did not say online is that you need a digital photograph - this is not the normal ID photo - but one that comes with a unique reference. This is now one of the the two options (Digital or ID) that you make when using the picture booth - in my case in Boots the Chemist - Cost £8.00. Returning to the post office with old passport and digital picture, these were handed over - they made a note of the code on the picture, and returned the picture to me. I still had to answer all the usual questions (have you changed your name etc) and then the process was completed.
I am not going anywhere, but my current passport expires in June, so I thought I would get it done now. The process was not quite as straightforward as I thought it would be. Our post office closed some time ago and is now four counters in WHSmith - the queue was longgggggggggggggggggg

PS. I have already received an email saying my passport renewal is being dealt with.

[RogerB]

Very strange Barry. We did our passport renewals at our local PO last Friday and ID was done by a photograph being taken on a tablet running a special GOV.UK app. The same app did the renewal application and all in all it took 23 minutes much to the disgust of the queue of people behind us. Personally I think it needs to be an appointment only service but for the money I thought it worthwhile to know that the application was correct and complete in all respects. Indeed the acknowledgement from the passport office is very quick but I’m not entirely sure how long it will take to get the passports, but like you we have no arrangements to go anywhere it’s just one of those jobs that needed to be done. R-

[bulleidboy]

Hi Roger - If you go online and check "Renewing an Adult Passport at the Post Ofice" - one of the two options is the Digital Check and Send method - the other being a paper application. It states clearly that the post office will take your picture (they did mine last time) and that all questions could be answered using your old passport. As I was in Basingstoke Town Centre primarily to check on the renewal procedure, as the PO required a photo with a Digital Code, and they could not take the picture, I went to Boots, got the picture and went back to the PO. they took the reference off of the picture, and as I said gave me the picture back. We then went through a series of questions.
It didn't take to long once I got to the front of the queue. They then put the details taken and the old passport into a plastic post bag, which was sealed in front of me - I now await a new passport - I was told it would be some weeks before I would receive it. Barry

[RogerB]

I was told it would be some weeks before I would receive it. Barry

Yes, I understand the “within 10 weeks” target has been missed more than hit. To be fair on this point the passport office say they are processing c. 1M applications a month as against the normal 7M per annum. R-

[bulleidboy]

We have nothing planned at the moment. It was seeing the news recently where travellers had had problems, it prompted me to get mine renewed - luckily as I only have about a month left on the old passport (which they carry forward), I should not have the problem that some have recently experienced. I'm in no rush, it's one of those "things to do" that has now been crossed off the list.

[yelrow]

the head of passport applications, was called to Parliament last week to explain why they are in Dire arrears. It appears they have massive staff shortages. My friend was going to spain in 2 weeks, with his family, but has been told his passport will not be renewed in time, despite applying weeks ago. Wife and family, going without him. Just as well you were not off to states, Barry.

[cheshire lines]

Renewed mine online a few months ago, having had a digital photo (and code) done at Max Spielman.

Not planning on going abroad any time soon, but only have a paper driving licence, so passport is my only photo ID.

[yelrow]

We did ours at home, as problem finding a photo machine with codes in rural France.. we offered them ones I did in our hall, which they accepted. IPad came in handy.

[RogerB]

Just out of interest Barry, did you get the follow up survey? It would have arrived by email. R-

[bulleidboy]

Nothing received as of this minute Roger.