I got my passport today 7-26-2007

Applied for on 03-30-2007 requested regular service....

The cretins at the Brazilian Embassy in Washington only gave me a 90 day visa, which means I have to reapply for another for my February Trip (which I provided documentary evidence of, along with a polite cover letter requesting a discretionary 5-year visa) :mad:

Not really PassportExpress' fault, though. I was quite pleased with their service. 21 Days for an early-renewal passport and Brazilian Visa was pretty good, considering some of the time-frames I've heard quoted here. My passport had 3 years left on it, but was full of stamps, and had stamps on the amendments/endorsements section, so no pages could be added (hence the early renewal).

Still a PITA that I have to get another Brazilian Visa, especially considering it takes up a whole page

Applied April 30th at my local post office for a new passport. Standard service, not expedited. My trip is Sept. 21.

As of today, no passport and online it still says only "processing"

I called the Passport 877 line...only had a 3 minute wait. Was told that passports are taking more like 16-17 weeks, not 10-12. Was told that my passport is being processed in New Hampshire and that there is really nothing to be done until 2 weeks before my trip if I haven't received it by then. She did "imply" that passports are being worked based on travel dates and she mentioned that people are submitting apps for travel next year! Gee! I wonder why! (insert sarcasm)

Since my trip is still 7 weeks away, I am assuming that I will still receive it without having to make a trip 5 hrs to the nearest office (DC). However, you can bet I'm ordering another copy of my birth certificate just in case.

I did call my congressman's local office. Essentially they are sticking to the 2 week time frame also. The worker said she is trying to get passports for some people who are leaving Monday! Good luck! Also according to her, passports being processed in Miami and New Orleans are slower than New Hampshire and that the agencies are working weekends. If I have not received it by 2 weeks before my travel then they will expedite and/or help me get an appointment in DC to get one.

My last trip to Brazil was the same. I used a passport place in Houston. At the time, people in CA were getting 5 years, so needless to say, I wasn't too happy. I have two trips coming up about 4 months apart in a few months, and if I have to go to the expense and time to get two Brazilian visas, it will be my last trips unless I get $500 Biz class tickets, or they change their laws.

Same here. Brazilian consulate in San Francisco only issued a 90 day visa to me. I asked the visa service I used about it and was told that they're seeing more and more 90 day visas even when five year visas are requested. Somebody in our State Department must have pi$$ed off Brazil or something. :mad:

Regarding passports, I need to renew mine next year. Any thoughts as to when this backlog is going to clear if ever?

Anyone used an expedited passport service?
 

A travel emergency here...

I have a flight from Boston to Japan this upcoming Wednesday (8/1). Today I found that I have lost my passport. The house has been flipped up side down and I still couldn't find the passport. So I logged on to travel.state.gov to see what kind of expedited passport service they have. There's not much help available: There is a number to call (877-487-2778) to schedule appointments for travels within the next 2 weeks. But when I called, the automated system got me an earliest possible appointment of Aug. 10th.

So I googled around and found these expedited passport services (like passportsandvisas.com, visahq.com, passportsplus.com) that list detail instructions on how and what to Fedex to them to get a passport within 1-2 business days. Has anyone used this kind of service and actually received a passport that quickly? I am desperate here and would pay the fee they are asking to get my passport in time for travel.

Anyone know if these services are trustworthy?

Average "expedited" turn around time?
 

Can anyone give me an idea of what the average turn around time is these days for a passport renewal using the "expedited" system and paying the additional $60?

The USgov website says 2-3 weeks...is this accurate?

Thanks....

Can anyone give me an idea of what the average turn around time is these days for a passport renewal using the "expedited" system and paying the additional $60?

The USgov website says 2-3 weeks...is this accurate?

Thanks....

My wife and I applied for ours (first time acquiring passports) at our local city hall on July 17th, paid for the expedited service, and got our passports in the mail yesterday. 17 days!!

I had a coworker with a similar problem and she used Passport Express: http://www.passportexpress.com/defau...t&action=losta.

It's expensive, but she said she received great service and a 3 day turn around. The problem you will have to deal with unless you are living in a city with a passport office is postage. Unless you use a same day carrier (very expensive), Fedex et al will only guarentee delivery the next day. You will have to ship it first thing Monday, it will arrive Tuesday, they will have to process it Tuesday, then ship it for Wednesday AM delivery.

Just got mine back a few days ago - took about 3 1/2 weeks with expedited processing but normal mailing. Express mailing would likely shave a few days off.

Wife and I are going to Germany for several months on August 22nd, she had to wait for her name change to go in effect (we married May 26th and didn't receive the paperwork for it till 3 weeks ago) to apply for her passport. We went to the post office, paid almost 200$ in shipping/expedite, it took 12 days from the day we went to the post office to the day it was in her hands.

Me on the other hand applied around late march (We think it was about the 16th, not entirely sure) and I have still not recieved my passport, although talking to some others that are going on the trip with us, the applied a little bit earlier than we did and they are just now receiving theirs so hopefully mine isn't too far behind.

By viewing the last few pages of the thread, you can read about my satisfactory experience with Passport Express. I chose the 10 business day passport renewal, along with the 10 business day Brazilian Visa option. They do offer emergency Passport Renewal services. Be sure to call their 1-800 number beforehand, speak with a representative, and follow all instructions to a T. You might just have enough time if you can get a Same-Day package to them today, or overnight to arrive tomorrow morning. Call them now if you want a passport by Wednesday. It will not be cheap, but they are reliable.

Answer: 8 calendar days. The passport was in my mailbox on Saturday.

Fast!

expedited services
 

eight days (calendar) for wife and 11 days (calendar) for mine, renewal same envelope. expensive but worth it.

same here.