Guides › Public Services › How to Complain to the Passport Office
How to Complain to the Passport Office
Complain to HM Passport Office through its contact centre (0300 222 0000), in writing or online. It will contact you within 15 working days. If you are unhappy, ask for a review, then go to the Independent Examiner of Complaints within 3 months. After that, your MP can refer you to the Ombudsman.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
How It Works
The Stages
Step 1: contact the customer contact centre by phone (0300 222 0000), in writing or online form; it will contact you within 15 working days. Step 2: ask for a review. Step 3: go to the Independent Examiner of Complaints within 3 months of the response, with a copy of the final review. Step 4: ask your MP to request an Ombudsman investigation. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 15 working daysPassport Office repliesOr updates you
- 3 monthsGo to the Independent ExaminerFrom the final review
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Have your application reference ready.
Step 2 of 5
Call or write to the contact centre.
Step 3 of 5
Ask for a review if unhappy.
Step 4 of 5
Go to the Independent Examiner within 3 months.
Step 5 of 5
Do not book travel you cannot change while waiting.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
HM Passport Office
Complaints and review.
Independent Examiner of Complaints
Within 3 months of the final review.
Your MP
Can refer a complaint about a government department to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Apply only through GOV.UK: copycat sites charge extra.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-passport-office/about/complaints-procedure Checked 13 October 2026