Applying For A Child's Passport

[Kassee]

I am going to apply for my child's first passport. Does anyone know how long it takes for the passport to come through, this time of year. I cannot find any information about this on line. I just need to know how long it is likely to take. Or whether I need to fast track it.

[Mass_Hysteria]

Depends when you are going really?
I would think at this time of year it shouldn't take much longer than 2-3 weeks.

[boxtops]

I'd do it very quickly - it's only half a day but it'll possibly cause a backlog http://www.pcs.org.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/5928AC30-E098-477C-939E45D419C891BB

OH fast tracked his via the PO last year and it was back in five days

[EvianBaby]

From memory I don't think you can fast track a first passport.

[Buenchico]

To 'tidy up' some of the answers above:

The Premium Service (where passports are issued on the day of an appointment at a Passport Office) isn't available for first passports (for either adults or children).

The Fast Track (one week) service is available for first passports (for both adults and children). The one-week time period normally starts from the date of interview (which might in itself, involve a wait of up to 3 weeks for an appointment) but, since there are no interviews for child passports, it would seem reasonable to assume that it starts from the date of receipt of the application. The fee is £87.

For normal passport applications by post (£46) or via the Post Office (£54.75) the only information offered by the Passport and Identity Service is that the process takes at least 3 weeks and that processing times may be longer between April and September. (I suggest that it would probably be wisest to allow at least 6 weeks).

The Passport Adviceline might be able to provide clearer guidance:
0300 222 0000 (0800 to 2000, Mon to Fri. 0900 to 1730 at weekends).

Chris

[EDDIE51]

Yes as it is a 1st passport you and the child will need to attend an interview . When my son got his last year there was a 3 week wait for the interview , but then it arrived less than a week later.

[Kassee]

thank you