Passport 10 Weeks Plus
May 31, 2007 | 6:32 am
#31
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 215
I recommend that my family and friends ALWAYS wait until within 14 days of travel to go get it same-day. It's easy if you're in a major city (at least Philly, NYC, and DC, where I've done it) and you have none of the stress stretched over three months hoping you'll get it in time for your trip.
It isn't realistic for everyone, but it's a sure thing.
peace,
~Ben~
It isn't realistic for everyone, but it's a sure thing.
peace,
~Ben~
Also, what if you need a visa? How does that factor in to the 2 week time period?
May 31, 2007 | 9:36 am
#32
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Sacramento, CA, US
Posts: 2,264
Unfunded my .... They raised the cost of a passport $12 to a total cost of $97 in 2005 PLUS almost everyone is paying the $60 expedite charge just to get non-expedited service for a grand total of $157 per new passport. The passport agency should be rolling in cash. All for a little booklet that couldn't possibly cost more than $2 to produce. Add in 5 minutes of a $20 an hour employees time to verify the documents and process the thing and I'm sure any private company could turn them out in 3 days for $8 a piece and still make a profit. There is no excuse at all for the current debacle.
May 31, 2007 | 7:56 pm
#33
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Silicon Valley
Programs: AA:PLT&3MM, HGP:DIA, SPG:GOLD
Posts: 1,896
May 31, 2007 | 10:30 pm
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 18,231
May 31, 2007 | 11:24 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
The department says an expedited passport, which costs an extra $60 and now accounts for about 50% of new applications, takes two to three weeks.
Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., says her office is assisting with about 30 to 40 passport applications a day, up from one to three a month a year ago.
Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., says her office is assisting with about 30 to 40 passport applications a day, up from one to three a month a year ago.
It took me 13 weeks to get my passport (I had applied when they said there was a six week lead time). The call center told me three times that they were expediting the application and I would get it, but it wasn't until I called the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs that my passport arrived. (PM me for contact info if you need it.)
I don't really blame State for this, but they do share the responsibility for fixing this problem.
Jun 1, 2007 | 3:22 am
#36
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: lax
Posts: 4,055
I did get my passport back in a timely fashion. Unfortunately, it was defective. I now am going in to the passport office to fix their error, on my own time! If they even think of charging me expedite fee at this point, I may go postal
Jun 1, 2007 | 1:17 pm
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 18,103
Appreciate the link to the state dept website, where at least you can verify that the application is being processed, to wit:
Thank you for submitting your passport application! It is currently being processed.
Your passport application locator number is xxxxxxxxx.
Note: We have been experiencing a problem with the online status check system affecting only the application locator number. This does not affect the processing of your application. If the number above is 10 digits long and starts with 10000, please do not worry. If you need to contact the National Passport Information Center, you will have to provide at least your name and date of birth instead of the application locator number. Otherwise, please provide the locator number above.
When you applied, you requested Routine Service and Routine Delivery of your passport. Passport Agencies use Priority Mail.
You should receive your passport within 10 weeks from the date you applied. However, if you are traveling within 2 weeks and have not received your passport, please contact the National Passport Information Center.
It has been almost 7 weeks since we applied with our infant - haven't received anything yet but we are in no rush.
As with everything, it is best not to wait until last minute for important tasks.
Thank you for submitting your passport application! It is currently being processed.
Your passport application locator number is xxxxxxxxx.
Note: We have been experiencing a problem with the online status check system affecting only the application locator number. This does not affect the processing of your application. If the number above is 10 digits long and starts with 10000, please do not worry. If you need to contact the National Passport Information Center, you will have to provide at least your name and date of birth instead of the application locator number. Otherwise, please provide the locator number above.
When you applied, you requested Routine Service and Routine Delivery of your passport. Passport Agencies use Priority Mail.
You should receive your passport within 10 weeks from the date you applied. However, if you are traveling within 2 weeks and have not received your passport, please contact the National Passport Information Center.
It has been almost 7 weeks since we applied with our infant - haven't received anything yet but we are in no rush.
As with everything, it is best not to wait until last minute for important tasks.
Jun 1, 2007 | 1:24 pm
#38
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,497
Believe it....It took my nearly 12 weeks for my husband to get his renewal. We sent it out on Jan 26 and got it back on April 23. Luckily, he did not need it and we did not wait to the last minute but it was set to expire in May 07.
I am actually going to the CT passport office on Monday as I need extra pages for the next 4 years of my passport. I randomly get comments from imm. officers that they need a blank space to stamp. What would they do, not let me in? Figured the way things are going you never know and I could end up in the sequel to Terminal so I am getting the extra pages.
Jun 1, 2007 | 2:12 pm
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
In my case, I applied about 20 weeks before I thought I'd need it, but ended up needing it in 14 weeks after applying. I applied when they were saying to allow six weeks for delivery. After 12 weeks, I started worrying and that's when I took action to get my passport delivered to me.
Jun 1, 2007 | 5:05 pm
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 18,231
True, but months in advance is hardly last minute.
In my case, I applied about 20 weeks before I thought I'd need it, but ended up needing it in 14 weeks after applying. I applied when they were saying to allow six weeks for delivery. After 12 weeks, I started worrying and that's when I took action to get my passport delivered to me.
In my case, I applied about 20 weeks before I thought I'd need it, but ended up needing it in 14 weeks after applying. I applied when they were saying to allow six weeks for delivery. After 12 weeks, I started worrying and that's when I took action to get my passport delivered to me.
We picked that 11 week window because we were NOT going to be overseas then. As I mentioned, the kids' 5 year passport renewals are expensive enough -- almost $100. I shouldn't have to give them another $60 for an expedited fee, especially when they promised me they could get it done in 10 weeks.It's just a stupid problem to have -- getting your passport back in 2 1/2 months. Ridiculous.
Jun 2, 2007 | 8:27 pm
#42
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: San Francisco
Programs: 1K 2.7 MM
Posts: 2,585
When to renew?
I approach my six month expiration deadline on August 12. I go to Japan July 10-17. Does anyone have advice about if I should try now or after Japan? I have 5 weeks + now but technically it will still be valid for travel so perhaps it would not be seen as urgent. i live in San Fran. Is it possible to get an appointment for this? or is mail better?
Forgot to add my next trip after Japan is August 20 and the passport will not be valid then. SO better now or after japan when i only have 1 month?
Forgot to add my next trip after Japan is August 20 and the passport will not be valid then. SO better now or after japan when i only have 1 month?
Last edited by 1k-all-the-way; Jun 2, 2007 at 9:06 pm Reason: forgot info
Jun 2, 2007 | 8:40 pm
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
What is your travel schedule like after your trip to Japan? If you don't have any plans to travel internationally until November, then you'd be better off just waiting until July to renew your passport.
If you send your passport in for renewal right now, you will *need* to pay the expedition fee of $60. Although many people are reporting fairly quick turnarounds with the expedited service, it's still very close for comfort. You can call to make an in-person appointment at a passport agency, but they will only take cases within two weeks of travel (and ask for proof of travel).
Jun 3, 2007 | 10:08 am
#44
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Denver, Colorado
Programs: Delta Gold Medallion, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 333
We applied for our 1 year old son's passport at the beginning of April for a trip to Mexico we will be taking in August. It took at least 6 weeks for the status to show up online, but once it did, the passport arrived within about a week. I was very relieved to see it, since I had seen so many horror stories about how long it was taking these days. Maybe we just got lucky!
Jun 3, 2007 | 10:16 am
#45
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Sacramento, CA, US
Posts: 2,264
Report of passport back in 3 weeks
A friend submitted her passport renewal 3 weeks ago, paying just the $67 fee and using the ordinary mail. No political pressure or connections. No Fed ex.
It just arrived.
Now, of course, she isn't traveling anytime soon, and didn't need it back with any sense of urgency. She had sent it in given my experience with long processing times for just having pages added.
It just arrived.
Now, of course, she isn't traveling anytime soon, and didn't need it back with any sense of urgency. She had sent it in given my experience with long processing times for just having pages added.