My passport ran out last july and I may need to re-new it fairly quickly for an interview in Germany

Whats the best (and quickest) way ???

durham passport office

At this time of year it should take no more than a fortnight to do it by post. If you might need it sooner than that the only thing is to go down to the passport office in person and sit around and wait. (At least I assume it's still possible to go down in person...it's a few years since I worked there.)
Whatever you do make sure you've got all necessary signatures and documents enclosed, because if there's anything at all missing it'll delay things.




PS Now take back all the mean things you said about civil servants

Ring the passport office on 08719893105 and ask advice on how to apply for a 'same day' or 'one week' fast track application. They will give you all the info you need.

Thanks for the advice everyone

PS

Civil Servants are the salt of the earth.................!

Just to back all the above up, there's ways you can get a fast turnround if you pay a bit extra. A renewal is a lot easier than a new application.

It's just getting into Durham without a passport that's your problem....

No, I can smuggle him in. At a price.


I'm not sure Durham is you closest office tho, is it Talbot. Aren't you an exile?

Raping & pillaging might get you there

I'm sure Talbot doesn't rape and pillage. It's just the impression he gives

I doubt Durham is the closest, if there is one somewhere in West Yorks, but I think it may be bindipper land....

Where I worked, we just gave it to the travel agent and told him to get it renewed for us and bloody sharp.

There is a passport office in Liverpool if that is closer for you.

The only other one I know outside Edinburgh and the smoke is Peterborough.

Peterborough has a castle and a river.

And a pub called the Cherry Tree, with a cheap offy over the road.

Ah yes, those travel agent ones were the bane of my life. A black leather-clad motor- bike courier would arrive waving a sheaf of around 20 passport applications which took around half an hour to process, while long winding queues grew behind them and snaked round the Passport Office.
I worked at the London office, not Durham. All life was there........

Anyway, Talbot, there used to be another office in Blackpool I think, if that's any nearer

No such luck, self employed and all that, but If I get the nod for the interview, it looks as if I may be off to shellsuite land first

Anyone can pay a travel agent to get the passport for them, I think. You don't need to apply through a company.

I had a similar experience waiting for a visa at the Indian embassy in Paris. The queue was going down nicely, then the last two people in front of me just happened to be travel agent couriers on behalf of tour parties.

There is a passport office in Liverpool if that is closer for you.




The passport office used to be in the Liver Building but check before setting off. Coming off the M62, look for the signs for the Albert Dock where there's a car park at which is a five minute walk away. Don't take your strimmer and keep your eyes on your hubcaps.

I've since checked and the web site says it's 101 Old Hall Street still in the same general direction off the motorway but 15 mins walk from the Albert Dock.

I might be a bit late here TA but the lass next door to me works in the PP office in Durham and im sure she does or did saturday mornings, so why not enquire if you can go on a saturday morning before the pools game.