PSA: Passport Turnaround Time

[MunFam]

Hello! Just a little report on our passport processing time.

We had to get a new passport for our kiddo. We applied on Jan 5th in person (as a walk in) at our local passport/post office. The new passport arrived yesterday Jan 23rd. It was only 10 business days between application and delivery. We did not pay for expedited, so that was not a bad turnaround time at all. They said that this time of the year is the fastest processing/least amount of applicants per day.

One other note...her old passport was not expiring until March, but the new one is dated for January, so we lost two months of paid passport. Wah, wah. Had I known, I would have waited until the other one was expiring to get a new one...since kids ones are not "renewable".

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hello! Just a little report on our passport processing time.

We had to get a new passport for our kiddo. We applied on Jan 5th in person (as a walk in) at our local passport/post office. The new passport arrived yesterday Jan 23rd. It was only 10 business days between application and delivery. We did not pay for expedited, so that was not a bad turnaround time at all. They said that this time of the year is the fastest processing/least amount of applicants per day.

One other note...her old passport was not expiring until March, but the new one is dated for January, so we lost two months of paid passport. Wah, wah. Had I known, I would have waited until the other one was expiring to get a new one...since kids ones are not "renewable".

Well, adult renewals also would lose that 2 months, if you apply early. We just applied for renewals (ours expire in August) because we're going to need to get visas for a China trip later in the year and we need the time to get them. We've lost 8 months on our old passports renewing in January.

 

[Melissa S]

We receieved our daughter's passport in four days and we did not expedite. We also live in PA and passports are processed in Philly so that helped on cutting down the turnaround time.

 

[jenpink]

Good to know. We just sent in our passports for renewal yesterday. We don't need them until May, but I am always nervous until they are back in our hands

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Thanks for sharing! My son's expires in April and I didn't want to do *too* soon as we'd lose a few months just like you said. We don't need it until August when we head to Europe but I'm too afraid to push it too far, lol.

Heather

 

[bcarey2k]

The 'off season' is always a faster turnaround.

From March through June, you probably won't get that's lucky without expediting. (Summer travel season)

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

The 'off season' is always a faster turnaround.

From March through June, you probably won't get that's lucky without expediting. (Summer travel season)

This is right, but it still may not be TOO bad. We did our boys passports in May 2016, and got them back less than 4 weeks. Longer than now, but still as short as they promise for expedited.

 

[kaseyC]

Hello! Just a little report on our passport processing time.

We had to get a new passport for our kiddo. We applied on Jan 5th in person (as a walk in) at our local passport/post office. The new passport arrived yesterday Jan 23rd. It was only 10 business days between application and delivery. We did not pay for expedited, so that was not a bad turnaround time at all. They said that this time of the year is the fastest processing/least amount of applicants per day.

One other note...her old passport was not expiring until March, but the new one is dated for January, so we lost two months of paid passport. Wah, wah. Had I known, I would have waited until the other one was expiring to get a new one...since kids ones are not "renewable".

We got new passports for our two youngest girls on Jan 5 too. We also received them on Jan 23rd. Very quick turn around. Their old ones expire in Feb. So we lost about a month. We have a spring break cruise in March so I wanted them in time. My DD's friend who is cruising with us on spring break turns 16 in Feb. her mom is waiting until her birthday to get her passport so it will last for 10 year. She's just planning to expediate it so it will be here before the cruise.

 

[anricat]

It's been fast lately. My mom renewed just after the new year and got hers last week. Some folks on the cruise meet group for our upcoming March cruise on the Magic have also been reporting 1-2 week turnaround times.

 

[Kesohio63]

Be aware that some countries (Mexico for one) require you to have 6 months of validity remaining on your passport at the end of your trip.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Be aware that some countries (Mexico for one) require you to have 6 months of validity remaining on your passport at the end of your trip.

Mexico doesn't require 6 months validity on a US passport to enter.
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/mexico.html
You can look up how long a passport must be valid for entry into any country here:
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country.html

 

[Kesohio63]

Mexico doesn't require 6 months validity on a US passport to enter.
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/mexico.html
You can look up how long a passport must be valid for entry into any country here:
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country.html

My mistake, I thought it was a requirement two years ago when we were planning our cruise. I renewed my passport a few months early just to be on the safe side!

 

[nycdisneygal]

I have already been waiting 10 business days--- hope mine come soon! They cashed my checks on the 20th! (its a renewal for older DD and first passport for younger DD).

 

[tink1970]

Waiting, too...DD is headed to Italy/Greece in June and hers didn't expire until September but Italy requires 6 months left on the passport so we lost 8 months. Happily, she's now 16 so it will be for 10 years (and hopefully I won't be paying for her next one ).


Edit- applied 1/24 and passport came in yesterday 2/10 so 18 days not expedited

 

[jenpink]

We sent in the forms for our passports on January 23. I received my renewed passport on February 3 (12 days). My daughter received her new passort today February 10 (19 days). Not expedited

 

[MissMet]

Went on Jan 21st & got our daughter's new passport book on Feb 9. We didn't expedite.

 

[JenPinks]

We expedited my boyfriends on Feb 1st and still don't have the passport. I know it says 2-3 weeks, but I was hoping it would be sooner.

 

[SameNameAsYou]

I received my 1st one in something like 10 days. I applied in February in 2012. Unfortunately, we had a flood last June and lost everything. I had a cruise in October. I hated paying for it again, but I feel better cruising with one. I applied in July/August and had that one back in just 2 weeks. I didn't expedite either one.

 

[barbie1231]

Anyone experience that for Bahamas the kids just need their birth cert?? I called and asked and they told all adult need their passport but not the kids. Of course ...it always makes me nervous

 

[lanejudy]

Anyone experience that for Bahamas the kids just need their birth cert?? I called and asked and they told all adult need their passport but not the kids. Of course ...it always makes me nervous

I'm not sure whom you called, but the Bahamas only requires US citizens to have a birth certificate plus a photo ID for those over age 16. Kids or adults. That's the minimum requirement. Some people feel quite strongly about having a Passport anyway for emergencies.

Enjoy your cruise!