Passport Renewal / Application - Time Taken?

[bdl]

Lodged three renewals at same time at same post office - one VIC resident, two NSW residents.

VIC one received within a week or so, the two NSW ones are still in progress. I know the passports are printed in Craigieburn in Melbourne, I wonder if they are processed by state prior to being printed (?)

Just had a death in the family this morning so have upcoming travel to USA asap, going to see if I can fast track the NSW ones otherwise may have to go the emergency passport route.

 

[bdl]

...Just had a death in the family this morning so have upcoming travel to USA asap, going to see if I can fast track the NSW ones otherwise may have to go the emergency passport route.

Update on the fast track status in case it helps anyone in the future - DFAT will fast track processing if you contact them via phone, they will waive the processing fee on compassionate grounds if you provide proof of death/death certificate/death notice/doctor's letter - if you don't have it available when asking to fast track you can supply after requesting (and paying for) the fast track and they will reimburse the fee.

Note when contacting them via phone the applicant themselves must speak directly to them - you can't fast track on behalf of another person.

 

[Flashback]

I'm just completely gobsmacked at the passport office here in the UK. 5 weeks ago I took it in, filled in the form B11 as requested, and they said to wait for a decision on whether it would be reprinted (free), or I'd need to do a renewal (at my own cost).

I've now received the following (after chasing them up for an update once 1 month had passed), meaning .... they've lost the B11 form I already filled in? Also, why would anyone choose option 2 over option 1, when option 1 is (guaranteed?) free and also much quicker?

Following conversations with Canberra, they have provided us with two options.

Option 1 – You present your faulty passport to our London office in-person or by post with a completed B11 (wet signature required) stating the problems with the faulty chip. We will then be able to spoil your passport and have a new passport issued with the same validity. This passport would take approximately one-two weeks to be turned around. We would not require a new form or new photos.

Option 2 – You submit an Australian Passport Renewal Application (PC7) form, a completed B11 (wet signature required) stating the problems with the faulty chip and 2 new Australian standard passport photos in-person by appointment only. We would then request Canberra to process this as a gratis replacement. This passport would also be issued with the same validity as your current passport. This passport would take 4-6 weeks to be processed.

Please reply at your earliest convenience on how you would like to move forward.

 

[CaptJCool]

VIC one received within a week or so, the two NSW ones are still in progress. I know the passports are printed in Craigieburn in Melbourne, I wonder if they are processed by state prior to being printed (?)

Ah is that what the prison like fencing surrounding some manufacturing plant adjacent the railway line is for.

Craigeburn station

 

[jokes128]

Application submitted on 9/5/2024 in Brisbane and received it on 7/6/2024.

 

[marks]

Submitted MEL GPO 30 May. Just had delivered by the postie today 14 Jun in Qld.
I do think it was printed in VIC and sent.
Doesn't have the curve on the front cover as everyone had noted. Will see if that happens over time but keeping it a wallet just in case.

 

[mrsterryn]

Soo just renewing my passport, have done the online form and printed it.
Just curious as the form says "bring payment of $346 expires 13th July 2024"
Does that mean if I pay after the 1st July I would still get the $346 cost not $398 ?

 

[Flashback]

They took it off me completely, so won't see it back at all which sucks. Flags should have been at half mast...


Taunted on the way home, too.


The guy was nice though and happened to be the chap I had been emailing. He said he put it on an escalation list, so let's see how long the reprint takes.

 

[Flashback]

Damn it, knew this would happen. Need to head back down to Madagascar ASAP...... but of course I can't. Waiting game now and going to be a very last minute expensive J fare when it does arrive to get back on the road.

 

[N860CR]

Credit where credit is due. Dropped my renewal at the Sydney office at 8:30am and it was ready for collection at 12:34pm. In and out in about 15 minutes in the morning (I was the first walk up) and collected in maybe 5 minutes.

 

[marks]

Credit where credit is due. Dropped my renewal at the Sydney office at 8:30am and it was ready for collection at 12:34pm. In and out in about 15 minutes in the morning (I was the first walk up) and collected in maybe 5 minutes.

Priority renewal?

 

[N860CR]

Priority renewal?

Yep. Not “emergency” or special circumstances though. Just rocked up without an appointment. Was initially told downstairs that they were fully booked and maybe couldn’t process it, but it seems not.

 

[SydneySwan]

Priority renewal?

Of course it was. @N860CR was renewing before the price increase!

 

[marks]

Of course it was. @N860CR was renewing before the price increase!

But reduced priority fee.... Same same

 

[N860CR]

Of course it was. @N860CR was renewing before the price increase!

Convenient timing! Only home for 3 days before going away for a few months so had a tiny window.

I did laugh a few times at the joys of dealing with government employees. First guy when I submitted seemed a bit perplexed; “why are you renewing? It expires in 2025?” - well yes, January, and that’s only six months away. One needs six months validity. That got a blank stare. Then asked “is it full?” - well, it’s in your hands. Sadly, didn’t quite manage to fill it (and it’s my last frequent traveller one).

On collection I was given a ticket for “collections” and nicely called straight to a window. There, I was asked, “what are you collecting?”. Didn’t even get a giggle when I said “oh my laundry” (think it went over her head).

In fairness, everyone was polite and borderline friendly which is always a bonus when dealing with the public sector!

But reduced priority fee.... Same same

Is the priority fee reducing? Or are they just adding the “slightly less priority” service?

 

[clifford]

Credit where credit is due. Dropped my renewal at the Sydney office at 8:30am and it was ready for collection at 12:34pm. In and out in about 15 minutes in the morning (I was the first walk up) and collected in maybe 5 minutes.

Had a similar experience at the Peterborough HMPO office when renewing my UK passport.

Amazing what can be done when you pay a little bit extra.

 

[Flashback]

Your passport is on its way to your nominated address by a local postage service in your country or region.

Given I dropped it in Monday last week, that's as good as one could expect for a free re-print ex-UK.

 

[Flashback]

Your passport is on its way to your nominated address by a local postage service in your country or region.

Given I dropped it in Monday last week, that's as good as one could expect for a free re-print ex-UK.

Well ........ still nothing received.

 

[prozac]

Well ........ still nothing received.

Jeez Louise. Thanks for reminder. I need to put my application in tomorrow morning (Saturday).

 

[CaptJCool]

Two instances of lodgement of the “original” passport the one that needs a referee and birth certificate because there’s no previous passport available

My kid lodged his adult passport today

A friend lodged his on 30th April 2024 - two weeks later and no news -given experience of others it won’t show up for at least 4 weeks plus delivery time

Kids passport took about or month give it take a few days !