The whole process is still bloody archaic, you can not use the on-line application if you are travelling in less than 4 weeks, surely this is when you need to speed things up! You can not down load the application form, you have to apply for the form and you may receive it in 4 weeks, or you can collect from a post office counter, but not any old post office, has to be a main post office! As punishment they make you go to Newport...
Bang on 4 hours.....not a minute less. I went back in the que at the reception / collection desk cause it was massive only to be told when I got to the front I was 10 mins too early to collect it. I had a nightmare with the forms from the post office, the bairns mum and the whole application thing, but I've got it now. I don't want to sound racist...but when you've been to the the passport office you'll see why we can't get a passport processed in a reasonable time......
Funny that eh? The woman I spoke to on the phone yesterday couldn't have been more unhelpful! Guess they've heard it all before, you're not going to be going thee unless you're in the poo!
The number on the application form the (0300 ??? 0000) type number they were a nightmare....totally. When I eventually conned a number for the actual Durham office the two people in there that I spoke to couldn't have been more helpful, they told me and advised me of everything, right down to the letter I had to have signed from the little ones mum, even though her name is the same as mine not her mums and we have joint custody, she has parental responsibility.
No change there, then......I needed a passport in a hurry in the early 80s so I could get to Switzerland......Had to ride to Peterborough from Colchester in snow and freezing fog..........4 bl**dy hours on top of the travel time... AL.
