Renewing Passport Questions
#1
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 24
Renewing Passport Questions
I have a USA passport that will expire in a few months. I'm currently outside the usa and was planning to come back to the usa for a week or so... get it renewed... then head back outside the usa. The thing is i believe it takes few weeks to receive the new passport.
The thing is I know for certain i will have to come back to the usa in few months when my current passport expires. So i figured come back to usa get passport renewed... then it would be sent to my usa home... and well just make sure i come back to the usa in few months before my current passport expires... then if i do go outside the usa again... then i take the new one.
First off, is it true when you renew a passport, your current passport is no longer valid? If true, i didn't know this and this would be a problem for me since i only plan to stay in the usa for 1 week only mainly b/c im comign back to renew it but also b/c im allowed to stay 180 days in a row in my current country so i figure doing this would fix both issues.
The thing is i believe u can renew passport online so if u do that, then you still have your passport right or do you need to mail it in? Also what about the current picture? I would want a new picture since my passport is well 10 years old and want a new one. I don't recall the process 10 years ago when i got my passport but i think i either sent in a picture of myself or went to the place and they took my picture.
I read that you could expedite getting your passport for extra. Has anyone done this? I read you could even have this done in one day with hefty fees. But waiting a week for it would be fine as well. How long does it take on average to receive new passport? The thing im most concerned with is can i still keep my current passport and use it when i go and have a passport renewed? If so... then there will be zero issues at all with everything since i can come back to usa, renew it, then leave... then just make sure i come back to usa again when my current passport expires later on.
Also
Im currently in mexico now. Passport expires in less than 6 months. Will be flying back to usa where im from. However i plan to fly back to mexico in about a week. Will all airline not allow me to board to mexico from the usa if my passport expires in less than 6 months?
The thing is im planning to go back to the usa very soon. Then go back to mexico in a week or so but not sure if im allowed to even fly to mexico again because of this. The other thing is i will have to come back to the usa in november so i figure okay just tell customs in mexico stamp my passport till november then i leave to the usa then renew it while in the usa and wait.
Any advice on this?
The thing is I know for certain i will have to come back to the usa in few months when my current passport expires. So i figured come back to usa get passport renewed... then it would be sent to my usa home... and well just make sure i come back to the usa in few months before my current passport expires... then if i do go outside the usa again... then i take the new one.
First off, is it true when you renew a passport, your current passport is no longer valid? If true, i didn't know this and this would be a problem for me since i only plan to stay in the usa for 1 week only mainly b/c im comign back to renew it but also b/c im allowed to stay 180 days in a row in my current country so i figure doing this would fix both issues.
The thing is i believe u can renew passport online so if u do that, then you still have your passport right or do you need to mail it in? Also what about the current picture? I would want a new picture since my passport is well 10 years old and want a new one. I don't recall the process 10 years ago when i got my passport but i think i either sent in a picture of myself or went to the place and they took my picture.
I read that you could expedite getting your passport for extra. Has anyone done this? I read you could even have this done in one day with hefty fees. But waiting a week for it would be fine as well. How long does it take on average to receive new passport? The thing im most concerned with is can i still keep my current passport and use it when i go and have a passport renewed? If so... then there will be zero issues at all with everything since i can come back to usa, renew it, then leave... then just make sure i come back to usa again when my current passport expires later on.
Also
Im currently in mexico now. Passport expires in less than 6 months. Will be flying back to usa where im from. However i plan to fly back to mexico in about a week. Will all airline not allow me to board to mexico from the usa if my passport expires in less than 6 months?
The thing is im planning to go back to the usa very soon. Then go back to mexico in a week or so but not sure if im allowed to even fly to mexico again because of this. The other thing is i will have to come back to the usa in november so i figure okay just tell customs in mexico stamp my passport till november then i leave to the usa then renew it while in the usa and wait.
Any advice on this?
Last edited by beckoa; Jun 27, 2015 at 1:32 am Reason: Merge consecutive posts
#2
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CLT
Programs: AA, UA, BA, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,074
The picture info may not be helpful to you since it sounds like your plan won't work, but you submit new pictures if you do the renewal by mail. The pictures must satisfy certain requirements, and the major drugstores will take the photo and provide the prints for you for a fee (~$12 IIRC). I've done DIY photos, following the guidelines strictly, for both my renewals. I loaded them to a drugstore's website for printing and local pickup. Both times the photo center person told me they would be rejected and I should have them do the pictures, and both times I had no issues. There are plenty of free/cheap apps nowadays that help you get it done cheaply. The one I used was free and just put six 2"x2" (passport size) photos in a 4"x6" image for easy printing.
I read that you could expedite getting your passport for extra. Has anyone done this? I read you could even have this done in one day with hefty fees. But waiting a week for it would be fine as well. How long does it take on average to receive new passport? The thing im most concerned with is can i still keep my current passport and use it when i go and have a passport renewed? If so... then there will be zero issues at all with everything since i can come back to usa, renew it, then leave... then just make sure i come back to usa again when my current passport expires later on.
It might be easiest to handle all of this wherever you are outside the US at the closest embassy or consulate: http://www.travel.state.gov/content/...ed-states.html. But you need to get on this now. Many countries will not allow you to enter without a passport with 6 months of validity (some more). So if you return to the US, which it sounds like you'll have to do soon due to the 180 day visitor limitation wherever you are, you may have to wait until you have a valid passport to leave again.
#3
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: PBI / JFK, ISP, LGA
Programs: AA, AS, AV, B6, DL, F9, WN
Posts: 866
Also
Im currently in mexico now. Passport expires in less than 6 months. Will be flying back to usa where im from. However i plan to fly back to mexico in about a week. Will all airline not allow me to board to mexico from the usa if my passport expires in less than 6 months?
The thing is im planning to go back to the usa very soon. Then go back to mexico in a week or so but not sure if im allowed to even fly to mexico again because of this. The other thing is i will have to come back to the usa in november so i figure okay just tell customs in mexico stamp my passport till november then i leave to the usa then renew it while in the usa and wait.
Any advice on this?
Im currently in mexico now. Passport expires in less than 6 months. Will be flying back to usa where im from. However i plan to fly back to mexico in about a week. Will all airline not allow me to board to mexico from the usa if my passport expires in less than 6 months?
The thing is im planning to go back to the usa very soon. Then go back to mexico in a week or so but not sure if im allowed to even fly to mexico again because of this. The other thing is i will have to come back to the usa in november so i figure okay just tell customs in mexico stamp my passport till november then i leave to the usa then renew it while in the usa and wait.
Any advice on this?
I used to live in Mexico and faced the issues you are facing now. I recommend that you return home, renew your passport, and then return to Mexico. The renewal will take more than a week unless you pay for expedited service.
As stated above, your current passport be cancelled by the US government when you renew it. You will get your cancelled passport back in the mail. Keep it forever and store it in a safe place.
#4
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,776
Mexico only requires a valid US passport at time of entry. Most other countries do require the 6 month requirement and the airline may hassle you but once they check Timatic it would be resolved.
Using an expediter service or the same day urgent service (for additional fee) if you live near a passport center may work for you. For that you have to prove you have international travel already planned and ticketed. Be prepared to spend several hours in line for that.
Letting your passport get less than 6 months is a risk. You should institute a renewal as it generally takes several weeks unless you're willing to pay for expedited, expediter or urgent travel services.
Using an expediter service or the same day urgent service (for additional fee) if you live near a passport center may work for you. For that you have to prove you have international travel already planned and ticketed. Be prepared to spend several hours in line for that.
Letting your passport get less than 6 months is a risk. You should institute a renewal as it generally takes several weeks unless you're willing to pay for expedited, expediter or urgent travel services.
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,327
Where will you be in the USA?
The best thing to do is to make an appointment and go in person to a Passport Agency (federal government office) to do your renewal in person. You'll need evidence of when you're returning to Mexico (plane ticket itinerary and receipt with ticket number for your return TO Mexico; bring a written hotel confirmation too if applicable), the renewal form, your old passport, and pictures. There are Passport Agencies in many big cities now and they're very good. You can get the old and new passports (and a passport card if you want it) either the same day or the next day for the regular fee plus the additional expedite fee. It's easy.
The best thing to do is to make an appointment and go in person to a Passport Agency (federal government office) to do your renewal in person. You'll need evidence of when you're returning to Mexico (plane ticket itinerary and receipt with ticket number for your return TO Mexico; bring a written hotel confirmation too if applicable), the renewal form, your old passport, and pictures. There are Passport Agencies in many big cities now and they're very good. You can get the old and new passports (and a passport card if you want it) either the same day or the next day for the regular fee plus the additional expedite fee. It's easy.
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,327
Mexico only requires a valid US passport at time of entry. Most other countries do require the 6 month requirement and the airline may hassle you but once they check Timatic it would be resolved.
Using an expediter service or the same day urgent service (for additional fee) if you live near a passport center may work for you. For that you have to prove you have international travel already planned and ticketed. Be prepared to spend several hours in line for that.
Letting your passport get less than 6 months is a risk. You should institute a renewal as it generally takes several weeks unless you're willing to pay for expedited, expediter or urgent travel services.
Using an expediter service or the same day urgent service (for additional fee) if you live near a passport center may work for you. For that you have to prove you have international travel already planned and ticketed. Be prepared to spend several hours in line for that.
Letting your passport get less than 6 months is a risk. You should institute a renewal as it generally takes several weeks unless you're willing to pay for expedited, expediter or urgent travel services.
If there's any chance that someone will want to travel to some not-yet-determined country, it's wise to never allow the passport to go within six months of the expiration date.
Another option might be for the OP to request a second passport if doing so would simplify the logistics. I would never want to send the passport to the USA while abroad, either directly or to a passport/visa service agency. There could be legal situations where one is required to show a passport more-or-less immediately. [I don't know whether Mexico officially requires that foreigners carry passports at all times as some countries do.] Moreover, there could be cases of someone needing to travel immediately (for example, to return to the USA, although there if an airline would let one board, a USA passport isn't strictly required for a USA citizen to enter, but the trick would be convincing officials of the citizenship and it would probably be long and unpleasant) in an emergency.
Last edited by MSPeconomist; Jun 22, 2015 at 2:22 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 22
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,437
Where will you be in the USA?
The best thing to do is to make an appointment and go in person to a Passport Agency (federal government office) to do your renewal in person. You'll need evidence of when you're returning to Mexico (plane ticket itinerary and receipt with ticket number for your return TO Mexico; bring a written hotel confirmation too if applicable), the renewal form, your old passport, and pictures. There are Passport Agencies in many big cities now and they're very good. You can get the old and new passports (and a passport card if you want it) either the same day or the next day for the regular fee plus the additional expedite fee. It's easy.
The best thing to do is to make an appointment and go in person to a Passport Agency (federal government office) to do your renewal in person. You'll need evidence of when you're returning to Mexico (plane ticket itinerary and receipt with ticket number for your return TO Mexico; bring a written hotel confirmation too if applicable), the renewal form, your old passport, and pictures. There are Passport Agencies in many big cities now and they're very good. You can get the old and new passports (and a passport card if you want it) either the same day or the next day for the regular fee plus the additional expedite fee. It's easy.
#10
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: United 1K (Star Alliance Gold) IHG Platinum
Posts: 226
FYI for what it's worth, I have used expediters with great luck. Not cheap, but you can get them REALLY quickly. I'm not sure what connections they have, but the right ones can do a good job. Read reviews and use the ones that large companies use. There are a few horror stories out there with smaller agencies.
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,942
We're moving this thread to the appropriate sub TSS forum.
~beckoa, co-moderator Information Desk
~beckoa, co-moderator Information Desk
#13
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: florida
Posts: 399
passports
I just did it. Two pg form. Photos. Old passports. Took me two weeks. 110 for passports. 60 for expedited. 15 for overnite return. U can go thru places like cibt. Lot more $
I was surprised govt was so efficient. Harder to renew drivers license
I was surprised govt was so efficient. Harder to renew drivers license
#14
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriot Am, MU Pt
Posts: 3,092
Just apply for a second US passport at your local consulate and then you can travel with it while waiting for your primary one to be renewed.
Took about two weeks to get mine, though I'm always traveling so I need two passports in case one is stuck at some consulate/embassy to get a visa and I need to travel, but your reason seems valid too.
Took about two weeks to get mine, though I'm always traveling so I need two passports in case one is stuck at some consulate/embassy to get a visa and I need to travel, but your reason seems valid too.
#15
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,090
Any recent experiences with new passport applications? Wife recently renewed hers and received it in about 3 weeks. Submitted new passport applications for our minor children at the same time (June 6) and still waiting on them after 7+ weeks. No further info other than "still processing" per the website and the unhelpful lady on the phone.