Thanks Fiona. I'll do it after Christmas then as that should give them plenty of time to get it back to me.

Think that would be the ideal time to apply

Doesn't seem to busy at the moment.

1 week for baby's first passport
3 days (from me sending form to them delivering new passport) when they had to redo mine as they chopped it up by mistake when I sent it as a supporting document for the above.

I sent mine off on the 11 March, and got it back this Monday - not too bad.

I posted my renewal application on Wed 25th March and on Wed 1st April I got a text saying my new passport was being printed and would be delivered in a few days.

When I got home an hour later, my new passport had already arrived.
So - 1 week door-to-door.

I must admit I was quite surprised by how quick & easy the form was.

no backlog now went to passport office tuesday recived new passport on saturday!