Originally Posted by
jerry90210
I'm an American and currently outside the US. I will be flying back to the US soon. I'm going to NYC. I am planning to stay in the US for 2-3 weeks before flying back outside the US. The thing is my passport is going to expire in a few months so I have to renew my passport before I leave the US. The last time I did a passport renewal was 10 years ago. I recall going to a passport photo store and getting photos taken. Then I recall few days later going to a building and pretty sure it was in Manhattan in NYC to renew my passport. I know that I paid more to get my passport faster. I believe I booked an appointment either online or giving them a call and then going there. I recall waiting a long time outside I believe to get into the building and another time waiting a long time in a room with a lot of other people waiting for the passport afterwards. Does that sound right?
So I did an urgent passport appointment correct? So an urgent passport and expedited is not the same right? Expedited just means they still will send it to you by mail but just faster? The thing is I recall me bringing a copy of my upcoming booked flight and it was less than 2 weeks as proof and bringing it to that office. I don't remember exactly if I received the new passport the same day that I brought my documents or I had to go back a day or few days later but I think it might have been the same day? I believe the old passport got sent by regular mail to my address days later but I don't remember. Can anyone tell me what happens here?
Based on this, can someone give me advice on the best way to get an appointment fast and making an appointment? Say I'm going to be back in NYC on March 17. Say I'm planning to leave NYC on April 3. As of right now, is there anything I can do while outside the US such as give them a call to make an appointment? Or wait till I'm back in NYC first? I still have to get passport photos taken. Where is the best place to take passport photos? I recall the place I went to was a like a photo shop for passport photos. I believe Walgreens has passport photos as well so which is preferred? Either of them give you the option to choose from several photos right? The thing is when I call for an appointment, does anyone know how soon one can get an appointment? Like if I call them when I get back or say right now, could I ask for an appointment on say March 24 about a week after I get back? Or is it possible that there is no urgent appointments available till much later? Do some people call and can get an appointment the next day? So if they have a flight the following day. I have to assume they could make an appointment for someone the next day if their flight is the following day? So should I give them a call soon then before I get back to the US or that isn't recommended? So whether I book a flight for April 3 now or when I get back isn't an issue right? I can always do that once I have an appointment booked and then bring that document to them?
Based on this information, what is the best way for me to get a passport fast? Can someone give me advice on when I should call and around what dates I should have my appointment if they give me the option of choosing the date? Say I'm back in NYC on March 17 and plan to leave on April 3. So the earliest my appointment could be would be March 20? But most likely I won't be able to get an appointment that soon? So try get an appointment say on March 24 and afterwards is fine but just make sure it's before April right? The other thing I thought I read was you want a very early appointment before a certain time because if you do, you get your new passport the same day. Is that true or false? So if you get a later appointment for that day, you have to come back a day or few days later? I would want to avoid that.
Can someone tell me the total cost of this? So this urgent passport costs more than expedited right? And how much more? I recall something about $60 more but is that expedited vs regular mail? For me to get the new passport fast, I have to do urgent appointments as opposed to expedited right? Expedited would be risky right as it could take a lot longer? But I don't have to go to the office if I do that right? Would expedited work if I get passport photos the next day and then send in the application the next day or that probably is making it close? When do I get back my old passport if I do the urgent appointment? What form of payment do they accept at the office for urgent passport? I believe if you do a regular passport renewal by mail, it's money order right? But at the office, I assume you can pay with cash or debit or credit card? Or you need money order for that? I want to make sure that I get my passport at least a few days before I leave. Is it even possible to get my old passport back before I leave or that is not possible?
check to see if you’re eligible for online renewal. that should be the fastest way to do it