Originally Posted by
oklAAhoma
Have you checked with your local post office? The post master should have all the pertinent passport application/renewal information, including the correct mailing address from your location.
I would double-check the location you have chosen if I were you, as the system doesn't make much sense to me. For example, although there is a passport office in Houston, TX, those in our area (southern Oklahoma) are required to send our renewals - even the expedites - to the Philadelphia office.
Probably quickest for the OP to just use USPS Express (next day) to the PO Box and handle it at the Post Office, unless the OP needs a true expedite in person at the passport office.
FWIW, when you mail something via USPS next day air, the postal service contracts with both FedEx and UPS for next day air and priority mail. From what I understand the USPS turns it over to FedEx (or UPS) in the origin city, FedEx (or UPS) puts it on their aircraft and delivers it to the destination city, and it then goes back to the USPS for delivery. As part of the contract, FedEx was able to place FedEx drop boxes at Post Office locations.
From what I understand, all passport requests first get "processed" (payment processing / validation) via an office outside Philadelphia (thus the PO Box address) -- the central office then sends the paperwork on to the appropriate regional office. The regional office then creates the passport and it is sent to you from there; original documents (i.e. old passport, birth certificate) are also returned from the regional office. Everything sent to me comes from Charleston, S.C. ---- (this is how the process was explained to me by a House Rep's office during the 'meltdown' - I had to contact them for assistance in speeding up what was supposed to be an expedited renewal).
Cheers!