Households rushing to apply for fast-track passports have been hit with technical problems on the government website.
Passport waiting times have recently risen, with people told they will receive new documents in 10 weeks rather than five.
The hold-ups are being blamed on a backlog of applications as people are allowed to travel again and a shortage of passport workers due to the Ukraine war, The Mirror reports.
Now families trying to get speedier fast-track passports are being hit by tech issues as the government website has reportedly crashed, the Sun reports.
Some trying to renew their passports can only see an error page saying: "Anyone trying to use the website is met with a page saying: "Sorry, we're experiencing high demand for this service at the moment and the system is busy. Please try again later."
Families have taken to social media to report their despair trying to get new passports.
One woman said on Twitter: "We travel to Greece on 1st June and can’t even get a fast track appointment to replace my 15 year old daughter’s passport, expires 17th July. We are stuffed."
Families have taken to social media to report their despair trying to get new passports.
One woman said on Twitter: "We travel to Greece on 1st June and can’t even get a fast track appointment to replace my 15 year old daughter’s passport, expires 17th July. We are stuffed."
HM Passport Office has said it is currently struggling with a high number of applications and its staff are working flat out.
Replying to one frustrated customer on Twitter today, the Passport Office said: "Please be aware are currently experiencing a high volume of calls and I am sorry that you have been unable to get through to one of our agents."
HM Passport Office has been approached for comment.
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