• Registered: 2022-01-21
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Topic: How long does it take to get a replacement UK&NI Passport?

Far from the gloomy predictions of 10 weeks, or better 4 weeks, to get a renewed passport, I got my new passport replacement for the old one expired last year in a total of 14 days. These included 8 days from posting the old one (paid signed for delivery) to arrive at the Passport Office. South coast to Hemel Hempstead - 8 days!

After the old one had arrived at the Passport Office  they took one day to tell me the application was approved and the passport was being printed, and one more day to tell me it had been posted (courier).
And, one day after that, it arrived. Three days.

So the total time from applying on line to receiving the passport was from the 21st Jan to  the 4th Feb, with the major delay being the 8 days postal service.

I amazed and totally pleased.

BTW There are an astonishing number of anti-forgery devices incorporated. Multiple copies of my photo in different sizes, even one a few millimetres across, holograms, and engraved (moulded deformations) designs in a plastic overlay. A majority of pages have the passport number punched right through. However good a photo impression forgery might be, there is too much detail to avoid detection if examined carefully. And, of course, it is chipped.  As an engineering subject, it is a thing of joy! And desired by many.

  • Alfred
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Re: How long does it take to get a replacement UK&NI Passport?

Very interesting, Jack. No wonder you’re pleased!

I suspect that they may be deliberately practising some kind of reverse psychology. I recently became aware that the application processing dates posted on the Government website by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre (DVLA) in Swansea are at odds with reality, with applicants having already received the driving licence or vehicle registration document that they applied for after the ‘currently processing’ date, and from your anecdote it sounds as though the Passport Office is doing much the same thing.

"Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?"
― Tennessee Williams
  • Registered: 2022-01-21
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Re: How long does it take to get a replacement UK&NI Passport?

When I finally got around to getting a new passport, more than 3 decades down the line from the last one, they told me in the Post Office it would be at least 10 weeks or more before it arrived. That was back in October last year. In the end, it was with me within 4 weeks.

I do wish though that passport photos didn't always have to look so grim.  https://punster.me/images/phpbb3/smilies/eusa/shifty.gif https://punster.me/images/myopera/myg/tongue.gif

"I meant," said Ipslore bitterly, "what is there in this world that truly makes living worthwhile?"
Death thought about it.
"Cats," he said eventually. "Cats are nice."
Terry Pratchett, Sourcery
  • Alfred
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Re: How long does it take to get a replacement UK&NI Passport?

KarenPL wrote:

I do wish though that passport photos didn't always have to look so grim.  https://punster.me/images/phpbb3/smilies/eusa/shifty.gif https://punster.me/images/myopera/myg/tongue.gif

Oh, I dunno, Karen. I’ve seen worse! wink

https://i.postimg.cc/kBzJhQ4C/Cousin-It-Impression.jpg

"Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?"
― Tennessee Williams
  • Registered: 2022-01-21
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Re: How long does it take to get a replacement UK&NI Passport?

Alfred wrote:
KarenPL wrote:

I do wish though that passport photos didn't always have to look so grim.  https://punster.me/images/phpbb3/smilies/eusa/shifty.gif https://punster.me/images/myopera/myg/tongue.gif

Oh, I dunno, Karen. I’ve seen worse! wink

https://i.postimg.cc/kBzJhQ4C/Cousin-It-Impression.jpg

https://punster.me/images/myopera/myg/haha.gifhttps://punster.me/images/myopera/myg/haha.gifhttps://punster.me/images/myopera/myg/haha.gif

Believe me, the thought did cross my mind but I didn't fancy having to pay twice when they sent it back as not suitable. https://punster.me/images/laugh.gif

One good thing, I'm a lot slimmer nowadays than when that photos was taken, back in 2014. Hair is still as grey, though. https://punster.me/images/tongue.gif

"I meant," said Ipslore bitterly, "what is there in this world that truly makes living worthwhile?"
Death thought about it.
"Cats," he said eventually. "Cats are nice."
Terry Pratchett, Sourcery

6 Reply by GB

  • GB
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  • Registered: 2022-01-22
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Re: How long does it take to get a replacement UK&NI Passport?

Is NI no longer included in UK?

  • Registered: 2022-01-21
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Re: How long does it take to get a replacement UK&NI Passport?

NI is included.

We (if it applies) are citizens of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The "Great" in Great Britain simply means the major island of England, Wales and Scotland, and has nothing to do with status. "The UK" is a short form, and as it says, covers all, as does the UK passport. .

The several small islands associated with the UK may have a different status, as for  the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, etc.

  • Alfred
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Re: How long does it take to get a replacement UK&NI Passport?

I wonder if you may have missed the point that Geoff was making, Jack. His question was rhetorical, highlighting the wording of your topic title. Saying “UK&NI” implies that the two are separate entities; “UK” on its own would have sufficed, or “GB&NI” if you wanted to refer to the component parts of the UK.

"Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?"
― Tennessee Williams
  • Registered: 2022-01-21
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Re: How long does it take to get a replacement UK&NI Passport?

I apologise.

You are quite correct. My new passport says Great Britain and Northern Island. Please take my incorrect references to UK&NI as meaning GB&NI.

10 Reply by GB

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Re: How long does it take to get a replacement UK&NI Passport?

Alfred is correct. It was the heading UK&NI that I was referring to.

I have always understood the the French are to be blamed for the title "Great Britain". The northern French province the British call Brittany is called Bretagne by its natives. Grande-Bretagne is what they call the land to the north across La Manche. The economical French language does not differentiate the subtleties of big, large and great, so Grande-Bretagne simply means Large Britain. The British seem to prefer the more flattering translation of "great" with its more grandiose meanings!

It's interesting that now that the UK is getting closer to breaking up, it seems to have been decided that the international identification plate for road vehicles will be changed from GB to UK. What will happen to GBM, GBJ, GBG etc?