Passport Waiting Processing Times 2022/2023

The average British passport processing time is usually between three and six weeks, depending on the time of year. The UK government has set a target of processing applications within four weeks, but due to recent backlogs and delays, this can no longer be guaranteed.

For those applying for their first British passport, the process can take up to six weeks. This is due to additional security checks that must be carried out, including checks against UK criminal records as well as other databases. Applications for renewal or replacement passports are usually processed more quickly, but the backlog can still cause delays.

The UK government is aware of the delays and has taken steps to reduce them. Additional staff have been employed to help deal with the backlog, and the Home Office is also investing in additional technology and systems to help speed up the process.

However, it is still important to plan ahead if you need a passport in the near future. The UK government recommends that you apply as soon as possible, ideally eight weeks before you travel. This should give you enough time to receive your passport, even if it is delayed due to the backlog.

Average processing times

Some platforms and agencies often use social media platforms like Twitter to gain valuable insights into how long passport services are taking to process applications at any one time. Some services process an this data over the past 30 days that can help calculate the average time it takes to process the various types of passport applications.

First Adult Passport

For first-time adult passport applications, the average processing time is approximately 6 weeks. This includes the time it takes for the application to be received, reviewed, and approved. However some users have reported receiving their passports back within 20 days via the social media reports (data gathered from end of December 2022).

Adult Passport Renewal

The average processing time for an adult passport renewal is slightly shorter than a first-time application, at around 4 weeks. This is because the applicant's personal information is already on file, meaning that the review and approval process can usually be completed more quickly, social media has reported a 13 day average (data gathered from end of December 2022).

First Child Passport

The average time it takes to process a first-time passport application for a child is around 8 weeks. This is because there are additional security checks that need to be completed for minors, as well as more stringent documentation requirements. However some users have reported receiving their passports back within 21 days via the social media reports (data gathered from end of December 2022).

Child Renewal Passport

The processing time for a child passport renewal is slightly shorter than a first-time application, at around 6 weeks. This is because the child's personal information is already on file, meaning that the review and approval process can usually be completed more quickly, current processing reports are 16 Days (data gathered from end of December 2022).

Overseas Applications

For those applying for a passport from outside of their home country, the average processing time is around 8 weeks. This is because the application must be sent to the relevant passport office in the country of origin, where it will be reviewed and approved before being sent back to the applicant, there are currently no updates from applicants on this as it can vary from country and country.




The average processing times for passport applications and renewals can vary depending on the specific application and country, and even though the reports above can be used as reference you should always plan your travel to be 6-8 weeks after your initial application to save any issues with your travel.

Urgent Fast-Track Services

It is important to note that the processing times above are the for standard services and do not reflect the fast-track 1 week service or premium 1 day time frames, if you need to use the fast track passport renewal services, you need to contact the passport adviceline below in order to pre-book an appointment.