PANIC-STRICKEN holidaymakers are flocking to use ARTAC Worldchoice’s fast-track passport processing system as the chaotic backlog continues at the Passport Agency.
ARTAC chairman Colin Heal, said: “Our system gets people their passports in seven days. With all this chaos, that has gone up to 14 days but that’s still much quicker than usual. Normally we get around 3,000 people a week using our service but that’s now gone up to about 5,000.”
ARTAC and the Post Office are the only organisations allowed by the Passport Agency to provide a checking service for applications. ARTAC agents check for errors and send the documents to the Passport Agency with a sticker and barcoding that allows tracking by Worldchoice. Dedicated staff at the Passport Agency deal with the applications.
Meanwhile, agents say customers are confused by new Home Office rules that mean children under 16 who are not currently on their parents’ passports must get one of their own.
Terry Thornhill from Toucan Travel in Basingstoke said: “It’s a grey area. Customers can’t believe that a baby needs a passport with a picture when it won’t resemble it in six months.”
Agent Lynne Brown from Pleasure and Leisure Travel in Newcastle said: “People have been ringing up and coming in asking whether having their children on their passport is enough. They find it very confusing.”