shaunc wrote:Passport for: Adult
Application Type: First time (naturalised citizen)
Method of application: PO Check & Send
Date of application: 22/04/2014
Date application received by IPS (post tracking): 23/04/2014
SMS received: 24/04/2014
Payment taken: 22/04/2014
Date of receipt of interview letter:
Date of return of documents:
Date of Passport Appointment:
Date of Passport Receipt:
I called the 0300 number today and my application is still "awaiting examination" at the Durham office, one month after applying. Based on posts over the last month or two it seems that the Durham office is not nearly as efficient as the other offices, which doesn't bode well as I'm due to fly on June 13th :-/
By way of update on the details noted above, I have still not received any communication from HMPO other than calling and being told that my application is still "awaiting examination" and it is six weeks today when I applied.
The HMPO call centre have refused to transfer me through to the Durham passport office as they only allow call backs and the Durham passport office has not provided me with the requested call back within 48 hours on any occasion. They have also refused to allow me to turn up to Durham to cancel my application and collect my Australian passport advising that I will be turned away by security upon arrival without an appointment.
I have already written to my local MP with a complaint, I have lodged a complaint through the HMPO website, but neither has provided me with any tangible benefit.
As I am due to fly to Brazil next Friday (13th June) and there is absolutely no chance that I will get anywhere with HMPO before then, I will have to travel from Newcastle to London tomorrow to get an emergency concurrent passport (it will cost me about £200) and visit the Brazilian consulate as soon as I have my passport - potentially the next day - which should allow me just enough time to apply for a Brazilian visa in time for my flight.
I am thoroughly disappointed by the lack of transparency and accountability with the whole process, many people on the 0300 number have been unnecessarily rude and completely unhelpful, so my advice to anyone would be to take a train to a city where your passport won't be caught in the Durham passport office's catchment area.