Cruise in February 21-Passports expire in June 20

[onesam319]

I like to be prepared well ahead of time. I planned to renew our passports now (May 2020), but the State Department website says to wait for normal operations to resume, or there would be delays of "several" months. Who knows when "normal operations" will begin again? And when they do, how much time does a renewal take?

 

[Ralph&Pam]

When we renewed during “normal” times in late summer of 2019, DW’s new passport arrived in two weeks and mine arrived in three. They had been submitted at the same time, so it’s not obvious why the time difference.

I have no idea when normal will return, but there will be a significant backlog so I would expect delays.

 

[starry_solo]

I like to be prepared well ahead of time. I planned to renew our passports now (May 2021), but the State Department website says to wait for normal operations to resume, or there would be delays of "several" months. Who knows when "normal operations" will begin again? And when they do, how much time does a renewal take?

about 4-8 weeks, unless you expedite it. Our family has done three renewals within the last year. One was mailed the Friday after Thanksgiving and received the first documents back the first week of January (decided to add the passport card for $30).

second and third renewals were mailed February 11 or 12 and we got them back in mid-March...well, the first of the documents.

we got the passport first, then the renewal card, and finally the return of the old passport in three separate makings about a week apart from each other

 

[onesam319]

there will be a significant backlog so I would expect delays.

I'm worried that if I send them in before normal operations begin, they may be "lost" in a mountain of pending applications, and actually be processed after normal operations catch up.

 

[T & R]

There are 27 regional passport agency offices that continue to operate during the shutdown. The good thing about the regional passport agency offices is that they have the ability to manufacture and issue a U.S. Passport the same day as your visit as long as you can show proof of international travel within 14 days of your visit. You will also need your fees, passport application, photos and required documentation such as your passport that is about to expire. Your cruise documents and cruise confirmation will suffice as proof of international travel. The nearest regional passport agency office to you that has same day capability is in Detroit, which is still quite a long distance from you but at least you know you have options. Their contact number is 877-487-2778 if you have any questions. Unfortunately there is no regional office in your state. An appointment is required if you decide to go that route and obviously your appointment would have to be within 2 weeks of your cruise.

If you decide to just renew like you normally would and they do not get you a passport back in time, you still wont miss your cruise if you just bring along a cert copy of your birth certificate instead. I've seen a lot of people cruise with no passport. Enjoy your cruise.

 

[JTlikestheDuck]

I would not worry, you’ll be fine sending in the passports. If the government can’t process the passports in time, we have bigger issues to worry about.

 

[TikiThunderPirates]

I like to be prepared well ahead of time. I planned to renew our passports now (May 2021), but the State Department website says to wait for normal operations to resume, or there would be delays of "several" months. Who knows when "normal operations" will begin again? And when they do, how much time does a renewal take?

I believe you meant May 2020? On another note, if your passport expires, you have to go through the process of getting a "new" passport, not just a renewal. I can't remember if there is a few weeks "grace" or not, but I would go ahead and send in your passports before they expire for renewal.

Just in case you decide to apply for a "new" passport and wait until after June 2020 when they expire, it just requires a little bit more paperwork (and if I remember right, a little bit more money) to do. It's not the end of the world.

The plus side of getting a new passport, is if you don't plan to travel at all until February 2121, you can extend the 10 years from a start date (say November of 2020) and not lose those 6 months or so when you wouldn't be traveling.

Always a choice.

 

[clten]

On another note, if your passport expires, you have to go through the process of getting a "new" passport, not just a renewal. I can't remember if there is a few weeks "grace" or not, but I would go ahead and send in your passports before they expire for renewal.

Actually, you can submit by mail (like a renewal) as long as you have the passport in hand and it was an adult passport issued within the last 15 years - so basically a 5 YEAR grace period.

I mailed my passport in for renewal right before the State Department announced it was shutting down operations. (Actually USPS shows it was delivered on March 19th at 11:35 pm - Passport operations was announced to have stopped March 20th but the State Department shows my application was received on March 23. But that is where my renewal has sat since then. When I check the status of my application, it says that they are processing non-expedited requests in 6-8 weeks. (Obviously, I mailed my application in before they posted their current significant delays of several months warning.)

Typically, we have gotten passports back within the month. I have a feeling that they are holding any applications they have. Not because they can't process them but because they don't want to. So basically, even if I wanted to try to leave for a non-essential reason, I can't. If you aren't traveling until February 2021, I wouldn't plan on submitting my renewal until the fall. I'd only do it earlier if I saw they announced a return to normal operations sometime in June/July and then I would give it at least a month for them to get through the rush they will receive undoubtedly get right away.

And if you are traveling in February 2021 and your passports don't expire until May 2021; I might not renew them until I returned if I were just going to the Caribbean.

 

[TikiThunderPirates]

Actually, you can submit by mail (like a renewal) as long as you have the passport in hand and it was an adult passport issued within the last 15 years - so basically a 5 YEAR grace period.

Great to know! I remembered there was a grace period (but never used it) but I couldn't remember how long. That's great that it's 5 years!

 

[onesam319]

I believe you meant May 2020?

Thanks for pointing that out. You're right. I edited the original post to correct that.

 

[onesam319]

And if you are traveling in February 2021 and your passports don't expire until May 2021

I made a mistake in the original post. Our passports expire June 2020.