Passport Processing Question
 

Wondering how long does it take for Passport Services to process and send a new passport (this is a renewal.)

Starting to get a little worried about Passport Services in Pittsburgh and their efforts to send me a renewed passport.

I mailed a check for $40.00 on February 6th with the passport, photos and form. I sent it via certified register receipt.

Got the receipt back three days later. The check cleared...

BUT NO PASSPORT!

I don't need it right away but if a good buddy or a girl wants to go overseas suddenly, I'll have to stay behind! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Thanks again for your help.

Catman:

Here's a handy link to the US Passport FAQ from the State Department: http://www.travel.state.gov/ppt_faq.html

(click on question number 4 to see the table of how long it takes.)

I guess (from the amount you mentioned) you didn't use expedited service, so they say it normally takes about 6 weeks.

-David

The answer at the delightful Passport office in Stamford (actually, they were really nice!) was that it's presently running "about four weeks from receipt...but we have to say it can take up to six weeks."

For what that's worth, of course; this answer was issued yesterday around 2pm. The Stamhattan folks were nice and efficient and all that other good stuff. Now if they can only make my poor passport photos look better...

I paid extra for fast service and got it. I FedEx'd my old passport to them and got the new one via express mail in a few days.

I have always done mine in person as I never seem to be able to get away without having one for more then 3 or 4 days, luck of the Irish I guess. Then it takes 1 - 2 days.

Could it be that the time it takes is based upon how polite your posts are in FT? Perhaps they read FT and make the decision. Of course, this means that your passport should arrive any day http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Catman,

I sent in for a new passport for my stepson in November. Had it back in less than two weeks and part of that was during Thanksgiving. I should think you'll have it back very soon as long as you filled out everything correctly.

Catman,

Mine arrived yesterday. Routine mail and it seems like it took six weeks. Like you, I was beginning to wonder.

Catman, if the situation ever arises when push comes to shove, it matters not if you have to travel and your passport hasn't arrived in the mail, for whatever reason (unless you were denied the renewal). You can get a same-day (3-4 hours) passport at the office in Philly after explaining that you need a pp immediately and your renewal hasn't arrived in the mail. At most, they might ask for proof of imminent travel (e.g. tickets), but will give you a new pp, and then treat the one that could still arrive in the mail with procedures similar to a typical lost passport.

They may simply know you desire your passport so badly that they are holding onto it a little longer. That seems to be the case with government and important things anyway. I'm sure there's a reasonable explaination and that it's on its way. If another week goes by, I would definitly call at the info on the link provided to you above. You won't have to worry in any case; UAL Traveler has a good explaination above.

------------------
The world is a book, and those who do not travel, read only a page.
- St. Augustine of Hippo

MAJOR UPDATE!!!

In my mail today was my new passport with the ugly picture I took -- along with the old canceled one.

It looks pretty good: it appeared they digitially engraved my photo onto the passport and the script looks computer generated.

OK? Where should I go for an overseas trip?

Wanderlust, any thoughts?

Go to Hong Kong. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

To that exotic land of flowing brews called Long Beach where your beer loving buddy lives who is really quite thirsty right now! You don't even need a passport, just your Diners Card!

Not to dredge this up, but i am dredging this up.

Today, i walked out to the mailbox, and what to my wondering eyes should appear but my passport! Complete with glazed-over eyes that make me look like i'm on drugs for sure and even with my middle name spelled correctly this time. (a-o-i-f-e)

So, i guess the moral of this story is that annoyingly impossible passport renewals might come faster. I'm not complaining, but i am now trying to decide where to go for Spring Break. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Just an FYI if you are desprate. My company uses a vendor called Expert Visa Services in chicago. I overnighted my passport (which would have expired during my trip)and I got back a new one in 2 days.

When I renewed my passport I forgot to sign the form. I got a letter in the mail saying I didn't sign it and that I should send in the form again along with my old passport, photos, etc. I'm thinking how do I send my old passport in again, they have it, not me. I went to call them and before I could talk to them I had to give my credit card number so they could charge me $5 to talk to them.