Originally Posted by
SDF_Traveler
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.
Agreed. The OP just needs to make sure to send it to the correct office. (And not make the mistake I almost did of using the internet to look up the closest office, then attempting to mail it there.)
Originally Posted by
SDF_Traveler
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.
That makes more sense than the explanation I was given by my local postman. And now that you mention it, our passports have always been returned by the Houston office.
It's funny, though, that Houston manages to process the payment when someone hand-walks it through the system to expedite things.
