A peculiar one this!

Both the missus and I applied for new passports on the same day in the same post at the beginning of July. We have checked and they were both received on the same date at the passport office. Needed to apply as we had changed our surname. Both cheques have been paid and cleared by our bank.

Now the anomaly: Within 3 days the wife had a letter asking her for up-to-date photos. She sent these off about 4 days later. Today she got all her documents back and her new passport. So I phoned of passport office to ask what about mine. They said that my application has been received but hadn't been been looked at, despite in the previous conversation they told me that mine had been 'examined'. I am assuming that they are going to ask me for new photos as well, this despite the fact the explanation notes do not say I have to send them (wife used the same notes). They are covering themselves by say the rules have changed recently and I have an old explanation booklet.

As I am just about to come off probation I am feeling rather paranoid that they are looking into my passport application more than they look into other people's applications. They have told me to phone back after the 25th July if I still have not heard from them.

Has anyone else out there had this type of problem? Can the information about my conviction be put onto my passport? Am I just being hyper sensitive?