passports, hours

[leanne11]

it looks like my po is only open for passprts from9-10:30am tues and thur,how do they expect a child to get there? any ideas..

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Your only choice is to take your child out of school or go to another passport office, or see if your local po can make an exception for you. See if there is another post office or other place in your area where you can turn in your application.

 

[Tara]

Check the passport site for a full list of passport application processors -- you might find that your local courthouse is also a possibility.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

In NJ, we can go to a "County Store" in our local mall. It has evening and Sat. hrs. and can take your photo right there too. It's Camden County and I don't know if other counties in NJ have their own. They charge an extra processing/handling fee but we thought it was worth the convenience
Maybe there's something like that near you.
good luck

 

[kaytieeldr]

Call AAA. I don't know where you live, but the AAA office in Waltham MA is accepting passport applications for a couple/few hours on September 23

 

[CarolA]

Ask the Post Office. They can do this at different times other post offices do. (Mine does accept them on Saturday morning) I would think that if you explained the problem they MIGHT be willing to work with you. (That just seems stupid not to have Saturday hours, don't they think people have JOBS???)

 

[Uncleromulus]

Interesting, as were thinking about getting Passports as well. Seems they don't make it easy though---.

 

[anabelle]

My company works with American Express Travel to get our passports. I went to the travel agency, they took my picture and my application. They sent it via messenger to Chicago and sent it to me.

 

[Lewisc]

Go to the post offfice website. Under the post office locator there is an option for passport application services. I put in the zip code for where I live and almost half the local post offices have Saturday hours for passports.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Persoanlly, I would not submit a passport application through the post office, as they add a huge processing fee (at least my local po does).

 

[Lewisc]

Persoanlly, I would not submit a passport application through the post office, as they add a huge processing fee (at least my local po does).

The total fee of $97 is the same as if you went directly to the state department. Expediated service companies add "huge" fees but the post office fee is a cheap as you'll find. Some of the post offices will take your passport picture for you. You can save a few dollars if you get your picture taken somewhere else.

Age 16 and older: The passport application fee is $55. The security surcharge is $12. The execution fee is $30. The total is $97.

 

[NotUrsula]

Also, since not long after 9/11, you cannot go to the actual passport processing offices without an appointment. Appointments are now vetted, and if your situation is not complicated, you won't get an appointment. You will be told to submit your application via a local passport agent (incl., but not limited to, your PO).

 

[CarolA]

Just try getting an appointment. The booking agencies block them all and then sell them to you... how do you think they can get you a passport in a hurry? They have "empty" appts booked and when you call them desperate an volunteer to pay thier extra processing fee off they go to walk your application thru the system using thier exisiting appts.

 

[cepmom]

only the main PO in my town has passport hours, and not on Saturday mornings, making it very difficult for DH and I to get there together with our kids. We just went to another PO in the next town over that did offer Saturday monring hours and it was no problem. Try another town...I'm sure that someplace not too far form you must have late afternoon or Saturday hours.

 

[Tara]

Just try getting an appointment. The booking agencies block them all and then sell them to you... how do you think they can get you a passport in a hurry? They have "empty" appts booked and when you call them desperate an volunteer to pay thier extra processing fee off they go to walk your application thru the system using thier exisiting appts.

Your US Senator can get you an appointment.

 

[NotUrsula]

Your US senator can get you an appointment.

Yes, of course, but again, that is meant for complex or emergency situations. Unless you are a major contributor, senate staff won't be very happy with you for asking for this favor because you don't want little Johnny to be tardy because you took him to the post office.

Besides, passport processing centers are mostly only open during school hours anyway, which would take the OP pretty much back where she started from. http://travel.state.gov/passport/about/agencies/agencies_913.html

Most people visit a local office over their lunch breaks, or when they have a day off anyway. Children under 14 don't actually have to apply in person; the parent files the application: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/minors/minors_834.html

 

[PortieOwner]

Your US Senator can get you an appointment.

Absolutely, though depending on your state you might be better off with your US Representative.