I had some documents from the legislation department which is same as passport one. They expressly said in email it would be sent DHL. I then received an email from them giving me a link and number to DHL. Then a day later got a specific email from DHL with the tracker. Took about 4 days to arrive. Check your email especially junk box.

 

Ive done 2 passports in recent times and didnt receive a tracking number from DHL on either however they arrived very quickly with no issues.

 

Thanks. That was to Spain I assume?

 

Our passports were changed via online sources when UK office was on strike ! However service was excellent.
Cannot recall being given a tracking number but was constantly kept informed by email as to what was happening and DHL phoned the day prior to delivery then following day driver phoned to say he was in the area so I could arrange a time and place to meet, with proof of identity, him because living in the campo we have buzon number not an address.
Within 10 days we had our new passports. So stress not. The whole procedure is very professionally orchestrated.

 

Thanks. Actually I've just had a text from DHL with tracking details and I'm in campo too, there's an option to collect from an office so I may choose that.

Actually hats off to passport office for speed. Did online application last Monday, sent old passport Tuesday by DHL. Was supposed to be 24 hours but took 48 because of weather so HMPO received it on Thursday and updated me. Monday is was approved, yesterday printed and today sent. So I'll receive it exactly 7 days after they received my old one. That's not a bad service to be fair.

 

Can I jump in and ask a related yet unrelated question?

I have to renew my sons' UK passports and I noticed that the photo provision is different, easy if you're in the UK but not so if you are thousands of miles from an approved photo booth with download link facility... did you submit the photos electronically? If so did you do them at home with a mobile or did you get them done professioanlly?

 

if you have a decent phone / camera you can easily do them yourself. If you have an iPhone there a a few free apps that will make the photo the exact spec for a UK passport.

 

Thanks and sorry for the thread hijack.

 

Does seem a tad anachronistic particularly when they claim "the new UK passport will be one of the most technically advanced anywhere in the world, offering holders outstanding protection against even highly sophisticated attempts at forgery and counterfeiting".

https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/mark.../en/markets/digital-identity-and-security/government/customer-cases/uk-passport

Hard to understand what a signature adds to it?

That said in the past I've had to show my passport signature when dealing with an overseas pension provider and likely will again in the future.

 

Just as an anecdote:

I got my current passport (UK) in 2015, on the last page at the back, near the top, there was a yellow square sticker with the words "Please remove this label" on it.

My curiosity got to me and I thought "what if I don't?" so I didn't and 9 years later and hundreds of trips to multiple countries including the UK, nobody has ever noticed or told me that I should have removed it!

Anyone know what that's all about? Am I breaking some major immigration law?

 

Just as an anecdote:

I got my current passport (UK) in 2015, on the last page at the back, near the top, there was a yellow square sticker with the words "Please remove this label" on it.

My curiosity got to me and I thought "what if I don't?" so I didn't and 9 years later and hundreds of trips to multiple countries including the UK, nobody has ever noticed or told me that I should have removed it!

Anyone know what that's all about? Am I breaking some major immigration law?

I just got mine and now I'm tempted to leave the sticker on too!!!

Incidentally I got an email from DHL with the tracking ref they sent by SMS. Email said that it contained my supporting docs. Thought that's strange but called HMPO. They said the passport has been sent today. Went to pick up what was supposed to be supporting docs and it was the new passport. So someone in DHL has mislabeled something!! I guess the old passport will come soon. So far no news on 2nd shipment.