Passport Question

[NYCgrrl]

How was the experience? My first passport application was filed directly at the old San Francisco Passport Agency. It's been a while but I don't remember the office being that large or that busy back then. But that was over 30 years ago. When we did it more recently for an expedited passport for our child, it was in a different building, and the waiting area was huge. We arrived late, but even then it took about an hour before our number was called. It was also frustrating because they didn't allow any food or beverages in the waiting area, and we were polite told of this by a DSS uniformed officer. It seems like they must handle a lot more of these now, even when it only supposed to be for expedited service.

It used to be a nice extension to your anticipated trip. Take the day off to visit the office located at Rockefeller Center. No appts necessary and if you arrived in the morning, and had an international air ticket, you’d have your passport (renewal or first time) by end of afternoon. Interim, you could wander the department stores, eat lunch, and soak up the atmosphere of 5th Avenue.

Sometime in the 1990s, the office location moved to a newly built Greenwich Village locale and appts became necessary but you still didn’t pay for expedited passports; surely, didn’t pay more in January 2010 but this is the pandemic and things are different. The company I used was quite good and it only took less than 4 weeks for the document to be Fedexed to me.

My understanding of the current system is you can still get a passport in less than a week if you have an international plane ticket but you still have to pay a fee

 

[bcla]

It used to be a nice extension to your anticipated trip. Take the day off to visit the office located at Rockefeller Center. No appts necessary and if you arrived in the morning, and had an international air ticket, you’d have your passport (renewal or first time) by end of afternoon. Interim, you could wander the department stores, eat lunch, and soak up the atmosphere of 5th Avenue.

Sometime in the 1990s, the office location moved to a newly built Greenwich Village locale and appts became necessary but you still didn’t pay for expedited passports; surely, didn’t pay more in January 2010 but this is the pandemic and things are different. The company I used was quite good and it only took less than 4 weeks for the document to be Fedexed to me.

My understanding of the current system is you can still get a passport in less than a week if you have an international plane ticket but you still have to pay a fee

Yeah - we did that. We needed proof of travel to get it expedited, but the airline's travel itinerary printed out was enough. We also needed that for an expedited visa to visit a specific country when my wife had friends.

We've only done personal pickup at a passport agency. I remember when they used to have the specific passport agency location printed in the passport. A few renewals were by mail and those said they were issued by the "National Passport Center". These days all it says is that it's issued by the State Department regardless of where.

I'm also rather surprised that my old passport still has a good photo. They used to require two photos, and one physically went in the passport. I think a long time ago they used to glue it to the page and then used an embossed seal across the passport page and photo. My first one had the photo laminated. And we always got our photos at a photo shop, where the usual was a Polaroid photo where the developer backing peeled off. The photo certainly hasn't faded after decades.

 

[bcla]

Yeah - we did that. We needed proof of travel to get it expedited, but the airline's travel itinerary printed out was enough. We also needed that for an expedited visa to visit a specific country when my wife had friends. I think right now they're saying they don't want anyone in the office unless they need it immediately, but before it might have been up to 3-4 weeks.

We've only done personal pickup at a passport agency. I remember when they used to have the specific passport agency location printed in the passport. A few renewals were by mail and those said they were issued by the "National Passport Center". These days all it says is that it's issued by the State Department regardless of where.

I'm also rather surprised that my old passport still has a good photo. They used to require two photos, and one physically went in the passport. I think a long time ago they used to glue it to the page and then used an embossed seal across the passport page and photo. My first one had the photo laminated. And we always got our photos at a photo shop, where the usual was a Polaroid photo where the developer backing peeled off. The photo certainly hasn't faded after decades.

 

[tvguy]

Why try and time it? Get it now. There is no cost savings in waiting.

 

[mumto3girls]

My two youngest daughters and I submitted our applications through the post office on April 5th of this year. We did not expedite as the cruise we were planning to take in July has been cancelled and we have not yet rescheduled. We received all 3 back on Monday (May 24th) so 7 weeks exactly. I have no idea when the clock starts running though.

 

[bcla]

My two youngest daughters and I submitted our applications through the post office on April 5th of this year. We did not expedite as the cruise we were planning to take in July has been cancelled and we have not yet rescheduled. We received all 3 back on Monday (May 24th) so 7 weeks exactly. I have no idea when the clock starts running though.

Well - when the clock starts "running" isn't really a thing. It's whatever backlog they have and how many expedited applications are received. Printing out the information on the passport is the easy part. That only takes a minute or so through their printing process where they then laminate the information page. It's the adjudication part that takes the longest. They research the documents and might even look for things that might disqualify the person from receiving a passport.

I think that the variability in how long it takes is going be more important than whether or not the State Dept receives the application a day earlier or a day later.

 

[princesscinderella]

We renewed ours in February and they only took 6 weeks to arrive. I think they have been able to work through the initial COVID backlog.

 

[NYCgrrl]

We renewed ours in February and they only took 6 weeks to arrive. I think they have been able to work through the initial COVID backlog.

The only problem with that thought is the Passport Agency wasn’t accepting most applications for months. I first tried to renew my passport in the late spring/ early spring of 2020. At that time I did not meet the then emergency requirements and could not. Had to wait until October/November for the new process to start.

 

[princesscinderella]

The only problem with that thought is the Passport Agency wasn’t accepting most applications for months. I first tried to renew my passport in the late spring/ early spring of 2020. At that time I did not meet the then emergency requirements and could not. Had to wait until October/November for the new process to start.

I know they were working with a skeleton crew back then but I think they are back up and running at full speed ahead now. I know it also depends on where you live which agency you mail it to, maybe some are slower than others.

 

[daisy2013]

My regular run of the mill passport renewal took five months because the passport offices were closed then backed up. My kids new passports took about six weeks. They were routed to a different passport office because they were minors. I was able to track it and called a couple of times to make sure they didn’t need anything else - they didn’t it was just bad luck because of when I applied

 

[KristaZ]

My husband is a passport agent with the post office - technically the 10-12 weeks is from when you submit it to them - but he routinely has to deal with passports that take significantly longer than that, even when expedited.

 

[bcla]

My regular run of the mill passport renewal took five months because the passport offices were closed then backed up. My kids new passports took about six weeks. They were routed to a different passport office because they were minors. I was able to track it and called a couple of times to make sure they didn’t need anything else - they didn’t it was just bad luck because of when I applied

Just curious what your definition of a run of the mill renewal is. The info calls a DS-82 form a renewal. It requires sending in the application by mail with at least one adult passport or passport card issued in the last 15 years. And they’re adamant that a passport acceptance facility can’t review it. I’ve renewed twice this way, and my application went to Philadelphia. Now they’re showing an address in Texas for residents of six states, but to a special PO Box for expedited service.

 

[Orion Nebula]

Just curious what your definition of a run of the mill renewal is. The info calls a DS-82 form a renewal. It requires sending in the application by mail with at least one adult passport or passport card issued in the last 15 years. And they’re adamant that a passport acceptance facility can’t review it. I’ve renewed twice this way, and my application went to Philadelphia. Now they’re showing an address in Texas for residents of six states, but to a special PO Box for expedited service.

I think you just explained the definition. But as you learned that doesn't always work out. I did the same thing, post office lost it and had to apply for a new one since my old passport has now vanished. Run of the mill is form 82, old passport and application.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

My two youngest daughters and I submitted our applications through the post office on April 5th of this year. We did not expedite as the cruise we were planning to take in July has been cancelled and we have not yet rescheduled. We received all 3 back on Monday (May 24th) so 7 weeks exactly. I have no idea when the clock starts running though.

OP here -
interesting - I am one day behind you in submitting at the post office. thanks for the insight.

 

[Orion Nebula]

OP here -
interesting - I am one day behind you in submitting at the post office. thanks for the insight.

When do you need it by?

 

[Cindy's Mom]

When do you need it by?

DS's girlfriend's family want to take him on vacation - they all have passports, they're completely flexible on the date and were looking at end of June. The mom hasn't been hounding me at all - but I feel like I'm holding them back - they have a condo so they're just waiting to book airfare.

 

[bcla]

I think you just explained the definition. But as you learned that doesn't always work out. I did the same thing, post office lost it and had to apply for a new one since my old passport has now vanished. Run of the mill is form 82, old passport and application.

Unless one goes to an actual passport agency office and picks it up in person, it's most likely going through USPS. Even the passport acceptance facilities just send it in an envelope going through USPS. I certainly get that stuff gets lost in the mail or damaged, but that's more or less the system that we have. And it is important to make copies of our passports.

Losing a passport (even if it's going to be cancelled) can be pretty bad. I know of some visas that are valid for 10 years - even in a cancelled passport. But the cancelled passport with the visa is supposed to be presented with the valid passport.

 

[daisy2013]

Just curious what your definition of a run of the mill renewal is. The info calls a DS-82 form a renewal. It requires sending in the application by mail with at least one adult passport or passport card issued in the last 15 years. And they’re adamant that a passport acceptance facility can’t review it. I’ve renewed twice this way, and my application went to Philadelphia. Now they’re showing an address in Texas for residents of six states, but to a special PO Box for expedited service.

That is what I did. Expired passport, form, photo (even had the photo done at the post office that is authorized to do so). Made an appointment and everything. Mine and my kids were sent out the same day. It does not get more run of the mill- no name change, no issues with the photo, form was typed so legible, no new marriage etc. even the same address as the previous passport (not that it really matters).
I didn’t ask anyone to review it. After the estimated time passed I called the passport office and was able to speak with someone who said they had everything they needed it was just a back up.
then a month later I called again- and was told it was about ready to go to the printer and I should get an email update soon. About a week later I did.

 

[Kestryl]

I realize this is a few months old, but I was searching around and just want to unload some anxiety-

My passport doesn’t expire til June 2022, but I’m paranoid about everything and I’m considering renewal now because holy cow, they’re saying it’ll take 18 weeks/4.5 months (12 weeks/3 months expedited) for a renewal?! I’m 90% certain I won’t be doing international travel in October, with earliest in March, but I had been holding out on the renewal just in case. But combining the whole advice of having a passport that will not expire within 6 months of travel along with this renewal processing, it seems like I have to apply NOW if I want to travel in early 2022! You’ve got to be kidding me!

 

[mmbrad02]

I realize this is a few months old, but I was searching around and just want to unload some anxiety-

My passport doesn’t expire til June 2022, but I’m paranoid about everything and I’m considering renewal now because holy cow, they’re saying it’ll take 18 weeks/4.5 months (12 weeks/3 months expedited) for a renewal?! I’m 90% certain I won’t be doing international travel in October, with earliest in March, but I had been holding out on the renewal just in case. But combining the whole advice of having a passport that will not expire within 6 months of travel along with this renewal processing, it seems like I have to apply NOW if I want to travel in early 2022! You’ve got to be kidding me!

We went to the post office this past Friday (July 9) to get my daughter's passport renewed (well, technically, a new one as minor's are not renewed) and I was shocked when they said 18 weeks! Luckily we dont have anything planned till next July, we thought we were just getting it out of the way since DH and I were both off work. But with that kind of turn around I feel better that we did it now.