Originally Posted by angelincognito48

Hello,

So, I booked a flight back in January to Aruba for end of March. I realized I need to renew my passport : here is my story

AFTER paying $350+ - $400 later:

Used Passport Expediting Courier (paid a fee just to have it arrive at company in DC so they can pop it in a USPS envelope to go to PA....... made no sense)

2/15/2021 - Dropped FEDEX envelope by following all instructions directed by passport expediting courier.
- Same day, 1 hour later got notification it was picked up
WAS SUPPOSED TO GET TO DESTINATION 2 DAYS from PICK UP DATE
Did it happen? Of course not because my luck... FedEx was backed up due to inclement weather across the nation

2/26/2021 - Arrived at Virginia
2/27/2021 - Arrived at Washington DC
2/28/2021 - Finally arrived at PA from Washington DC
3/3/2021 - Accepted, In Process, Check Cashed

NOW I am Freaking out because I paid for expedited service and the email i got said process time takes 4-6 weeks from date received......

3/4/2021 - 3/11/2021 -- Checking status online frantically and obsessively my trip is in 3 weeks
3/8/2021 - Called Passport Agency to try to get an appointment in person - no luck, rep says extremely difficult to get appointment
3/11/2021 - Call passport agency to get appointment (2 weeks before flight) was told NO APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE
3/11/2021 - Read this forum and used advice of those who contacted senate to push application through
3/11/2021 - Contacted State Senator
3/12/2021 @ 1:09 PM Dept of State sends an email with SHIPPING CONFIRMATION ---- WHAT????!!??!!

Idk how, idk who but THANK YOU!!!!!
Was a very stressful process, my passport renewal application was stuck in NY for 2 weeks and I was losing hope and stress eating.

Email says I should get my new passport in mail by next week.

Not sure if writing to senator helped the process but...... total time from submitting to receiving email was ::::: 3 weeks and 4 days...

Will update when I get my passport in hand.... not out of the woods yet....