Mar 1, 2022, 6:35 am
Last edit by: CKDGM
Passport Agency Appointments (same day expedited service)
Appointments for same-day expedited service often go quickly. It is best that you schedule your appointment with the passport agency exactly 14 days before your trip. You will want to call the passport number before the center opens at 8am EST as they will have just opened up one day (14 days out) of appointments at all agencies. Appointment times start at 8am. It is important that you have enough buffer in your travel schedule. For example, if you make an appointment for a new passport at 11am and your time of travel is at 2pm, there will not be enough time for you to get your passport. If you book the 8am slot you may have to wait until the end of the business day to get your new passport or it may only be a few hours.
You will want to have your date of travel, time of travel, your flight itinerary number, name of destination, full name of applicant, and applicant's birth city, and the zip code of where you live (to help them find the closest available center with open slots). Use the following steps to increase your chances of success to booking an appointment as they can go very quickly:
Credit: chgoeditor
Known office locator numbers (not complete)
Note: The office code (first two digits of your application locator number returned by Passport Status) is the office reviewing your documents and approving your application. It isn't necessarily the address you mailed the forms to (always Irving or Philadelphia for renewals) nor the facility where the book is physically printed and mailed (often Tucson or Hot Springs).
10: Boston
11: NYC
12: Honolulu
14: Stamford, CT
15: Portsmouth, NH
17: Aurora, CO
18: Chicago
19: Washington, DC
20-29: Portsmouth, NH
34-39: Charleston
40-42: New Orleans, LA
45: Portsmouth, NH
50: Los Angeles, CA
51: Miami
53: Seattle
54: Minneapolis
55: Dallas
56: Detroit
57: San Francisco
58: Philadelphia, PA
61-64: Tucson
65: Hot Springs, AR
67: San Juan, PR
68: Portsmouth, NH
69: Portsmouth, NH
71: US embassies/consulates abroad (possibly Portsmouth, NH)
74: Atlanta
75: St Albans, VT
76: San Diego, CA
77: Buffalo, NY
78: El Paso, TX
79: Houston, TX
80: Special Issuance Agency ("Issues diplomatic, official, service, and no-fee regular passports, and facilitates visa processing for those traveling on behalf of the U.S. government.")
95: Online
A list of agencies and their locator numbers is listed on this page under the heading, "List of passport agencies and centers with locator numbers."
H/T Nayef, txviking, and various individual posts both here and on Reddit. If you have a locator not in the above list, check the return address agency name or postmark/ZIP on your returned citizenship docs, or passport card if you applied for one, which may be the processing office, although the address itself is likely to be a PO Box in Sterling, VA in all cases (which appears to be a lockbox location that processes mail for all locations). The passport books are printed in fewer locations, often Hot Springs and Tucson, and may not correspond to the agency where the processing steps occurred. If it doesnt match the list above, please add or correct.
Appointments for same-day expedited service often go quickly. It is best that you schedule your appointment with the passport agency exactly 14 days before your trip. You will want to call the passport number before the center opens at 8am EST as they will have just opened up one day (14 days out) of appointments at all agencies. Appointment times start at 8am. It is important that you have enough buffer in your travel schedule. For example, if you make an appointment for a new passport at 11am and your time of travel is at 2pm, there will not be enough time for you to get your passport. If you book the 8am slot you may have to wait until the end of the business day to get your new passport or it may only be a few hours.
You will want to have your date of travel, time of travel, your flight itinerary number, name of destination, full name of applicant, and applicant's birth city, and the zip code of where you live (to help them find the closest available center with open slots). Use the following steps to increase your chances of success to booking an appointment as they can go very quickly:
- 14 days before your trip, you need to schedule an appointment with the passport agency.
- At 7:55 am call the passport number 877-487-2778 (This have to be exactly 14 days before your plane ticket or less. If less, it will get harder to find an appointment)
- Click 1 (For English)
- Click 2 (New Passport)
- Continue to Click 7 to repeat, and keep doing this while watching your watch or using Time.gov to get the exact time down to the second.
- When your it hits exactly 8:00 am Click 2 (for traveling within 14 days option)
- There will be a delay of 3-4 second and you will wait for the next available agent. If you are very lucky, you will be put straight through to an agent. You may be waiting few minutes or maybe as long as 15-20 minutes.
- If you did not click 1 exactly at 8 am, you may have to wait for more than an hour and half
Credit: chgoeditor
Known office locator numbers (not complete)
Note: The office code (first two digits of your application locator number returned by Passport Status) is the office reviewing your documents and approving your application. It isn't necessarily the address you mailed the forms to (always Irving or Philadelphia for renewals) nor the facility where the book is physically printed and mailed (often Tucson or Hot Springs).
10: Boston
11: NYC
12: Honolulu
14: Stamford, CT
15: Portsmouth, NH
17: Aurora, CO
18: Chicago
19: Washington, DC
20-29: Portsmouth, NH
34-39: Charleston
40-42: New Orleans, LA
45: Portsmouth, NH
50: Los Angeles, CA
51: Miami
53: Seattle
54: Minneapolis
55: Dallas
56: Detroit
57: San Francisco
58: Philadelphia, PA
61-64: Tucson
65: Hot Springs, AR
67: San Juan, PR
68: Portsmouth, NH
69: Portsmouth, NH
71: US embassies/consulates abroad (possibly Portsmouth, NH)
74: Atlanta
75: St Albans, VT
76: San Diego, CA
77: Buffalo, NY
78: El Paso, TX
79: Houston, TX
80: Special Issuance Agency ("Issues diplomatic, official, service, and no-fee regular passports, and facilitates visa processing for those traveling on behalf of the U.S. government.")
95: Online
A list of agencies and their locator numbers is listed on this page under the heading, "List of passport agencies and centers with locator numbers."
H/T Nayef, txviking, and various individual posts both here and on Reddit. If you have a locator not in the above list, check the return address agency name or postmark/ZIP on your returned citizenship docs, or passport card if you applied for one, which may be the processing office, although the address itself is likely to be a PO Box in Sterling, VA in all cases (which appears to be a lockbox location that processes mail for all locations). The passport books are printed in fewer locations, often Hot Springs and Tucson, and may not correspond to the agency where the processing steps occurred. If it doesnt match the list above, please add or correct.
Current US passport wait? (Merged Threads)
Aug 11, 2021 | 7:41 am
#1531
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 333
Timeline for regular non expedited/no overnight shipping service
7/10 - Sent renewal in (Regular USPS Priority Mail)
7/12 - USPS shows delivered in Philadelphia
7/26 - I sent email to NPIC.state.gov requesting to "upgrade" my regular renewal application to expedited, didnt get response until yesterday!)
8/4 - Passport status update shows "In Process" - locator number starts with 11, I see the check I sent for $110 was just cashed
8/9 - Passport status update shows "Shipped" - ETA of 8/15
8/10 - Receive response from NPIC.state.gov regarding my upgrade request and asked to provide details including credit card for the $60 expedite fee if the request is approved. Seriously, got this a day AFTER passport status shows Shipped!
Think I really lucked out with just a 30 day timeframe to the passport being shipped despite not using overnight shipping or expedited service.
7/10 - Sent renewal in (Regular USPS Priority Mail)
7/12 - USPS shows delivered in Philadelphia
7/26 - I sent email to NPIC.state.gov requesting to "upgrade" my regular renewal application to expedited, didnt get response until yesterday!)
8/4 - Passport status update shows "In Process" - locator number starts with 11, I see the check I sent for $110 was just cashed
8/9 - Passport status update shows "Shipped" - ETA of 8/15
8/10 - Receive response from NPIC.state.gov regarding my upgrade request and asked to provide details including credit card for the $60 expedite fee if the request is approved. Seriously, got this a day AFTER passport status shows Shipped!
Think I really lucked out with just a 30 day timeframe to the passport being shipped despite not using overnight shipping or expedited service.
Aug 11, 2021 | 7:51 am
#1532
Join Date: Nov 2020
Posts: 4
Timeline for an expedited renewal, not in hand yet but it should be on Friday.
7/15 - Sent renewal in (priority USPS mail)
7/19 - USPS confirmed delivery
7/20 - Passport status updated to In Process
7/28 - Reached out to Congressional office
7/30 - Congressional office put in a request on my behalf
8/11 - Received word from the Congressional office that my passport had been approved and status updated to approved
8/13 - Scheduled delivery of passport
7/15 - Sent renewal in (priority USPS mail)
7/19 - USPS confirmed delivery
7/20 - Passport status updated to In Process
7/28 - Reached out to Congressional office
7/30 - Congressional office put in a request on my behalf
8/11 - Received word from the Congressional office that my passport had been approved and status updated to approved
8/13 - Scheduled delivery of passport
Aug 12, 2021 | 3:13 pm
#1533
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 14
Mailed in passport for standard renewal on May 13 with 12 week estimated time for processing and up to 6 weeks for shipping.
Passport arrived Philadelphia on May 17
Status changed to processing on June 26, code said this was in New Orleans.
Booked international travel departing September 21 and started soiling my trousers that passport wouldn't arrive in time.
Called in and requested upgrade to expedited service on July 15, sent email authorization and payment info.
August 5th status reflected change to expedited service with processing time of up to 6 weeks and credit card charged for the upgrade and overnight shipping.
August 11th status changed to shipped with tracking showing delivery by 6PM August 12th.
Certainly made me worry seeing horror stories online and hearing friends that waited well beyond estimated processing times. Hope my timing can be reassuring to those of you waiting.
Passport arrived Philadelphia on May 17
Status changed to processing on June 26, code said this was in New Orleans.
Booked international travel departing September 21 and started soiling my trousers that passport wouldn't arrive in time.
Called in and requested upgrade to expedited service on July 15, sent email authorization and payment info.
August 5th status reflected change to expedited service with processing time of up to 6 weeks and credit card charged for the upgrade and overnight shipping.
August 11th status changed to shipped with tracking showing delivery by 6PM August 12th.
Certainly made me worry seeing horror stories online and hearing friends that waited well beyond estimated processing times. Hope my timing can be reassuring to those of you waiting.
Aug 13, 2021 | 9:56 am
#1534
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: enjoyed being warm spit for a few years on CO/UA but now nothing :(
Posts: 2,817
is it me or does it seem like applications being received/processed in mid-west/west-coast are being processed in somewhat normal pre-covid expected times while east coast applications are a gigantic mess?
Aug 13, 2021 | 1:15 pm
#1535
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 333
Timeline for regular non expedited/no overnight shipping service
7/10 - Sent renewal in (Regular USPS Priority Mail)
7/12 - USPS shows delivered in Philadelphia
7/26 - I sent email to NPIC.state.gov requesting to "upgrade" my regular renewal application to expedited, didnt get response until yesterday!)
8/4 - Passport status update shows "In Process" - locator number starts with 11, I see the check I sent for $110 was just cashed
8/9 - Passport status update shows "Shipped" - ETA of 8/15
8/10 - Receive response from NPIC.state.gov regarding my upgrade request and asked to provide details including credit card for the $60 expedite fee if the request is approved. Seriously, got this a day AFTER passport status shows Shipped!
Think I really lucked out with just a 30 day timeframe to the passport being shipped despite not using overnight shipping or expedited service.
7/10 - Sent renewal in (Regular USPS Priority Mail)
7/12 - USPS shows delivered in Philadelphia
7/26 - I sent email to NPIC.state.gov requesting to "upgrade" my regular renewal application to expedited, didnt get response until yesterday!)
8/4 - Passport status update shows "In Process" - locator number starts with 11, I see the check I sent for $110 was just cashed
8/9 - Passport status update shows "Shipped" - ETA of 8/15
8/10 - Receive response from NPIC.state.gov regarding my upgrade request and asked to provide details including credit card for the $60 expedite fee if the request is approved. Seriously, got this a day AFTER passport status shows Shipped!
Think I really lucked out with just a 30 day timeframe to the passport being shipped despite not using overnight shipping or expedited service.
[MENTION=155404]Section 107[/MENTION], for reference I do live in NJ, so maybe there is an overall improvement on passport renewal times coming now.
Compared to when I last did renewal in 2010, dont think it was that much slower, I believe back then it took somewhere between 3 to 4 weeks total to have my renewed passport back then also through normal processing.
Aug 13, 2021 | 8:57 pm
#1536
Join Date: Aug 2021
Posts: 1
Passport process
Hey guys I just applied for US passport and paid $60 extra for expedite service. I just checked their website and my application is in process, but instead of saying with expedite service it says I applied for regular process. I called the no and the guy told me there is nothing they can do and they cant get hold of agency and said it might change it to expedite down the road. He also said I can pay extra $60 and they can try to change it, but why would I pay extra when I already did. Who else I can call or email.
Aug 14, 2021 | 8:59 am
#1537
Join Date: Aug 2021
Posts: 1
Hi everyone, thought I'd share my experience renewing my passport to help alleviate some anxiety.
- Application sent out 6/18 to the Pennsylvania facility from Kendall County, IL. Photo taken and application was looked over by a post office worker. Requested expedited service.
- Arrived 6/22, check cashed and went into processing 6/23
- Passport received 7/19, from the processing facility in Arkansas (apparently this facility gets passports processed really fast)
A few things to note:
- According to the official status page, my application is still 'in process' even though I have the new one in hand.
- Just out of curiosity I wanted to see if I could get an appointment somewhere in the midwest. I was able to make an appointment (now canceled) for the Minneapolis processing location at around 6am several days in a row.
- Informed delivery lets you know approximate date passport will be delivered, some USPS locations allow you to pick up the package before its delivered.
Best of luck to everyone.
- Application sent out 6/18 to the Pennsylvania facility from Kendall County, IL. Photo taken and application was looked over by a post office worker. Requested expedited service.
- Arrived 6/22, check cashed and went into processing 6/23
- Passport received 7/19, from the processing facility in Arkansas (apparently this facility gets passports processed really fast)
A few things to note:
- According to the official status page, my application is still 'in process' even though I have the new one in hand.
- Just out of curiosity I wanted to see if I could get an appointment somewhere in the midwest. I was able to make an appointment (now canceled) for the Minneapolis processing location at around 6am several days in a row.
- Informed delivery lets you know approximate date passport will be delivered, some USPS locations allow you to pick up the package before its delivered.
Best of luck to everyone.
You requested expedited service when you applied, which we are currently processing within 6 weeks. You should receive your passport book and card on or around 07/17/2021."
Is it possible that the passport is already in my mailbox and they just haven't updated the website? Thank you. BTW, I did not receive any email stating my passport was mailed or anything. just says i should've received it almost a month ago.
Aug 16, 2021 | 3:00 pm
#1539
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Florida
Programs: Delta SkyMiles; Hilton HHonors; NEXUS; National Emerald Club Executive
Posts: 367
I just checked now, and the status still shows "Approved", not "Shipped".
Aug 16, 2021 | 8:06 pm
#1540
Join Date: Aug 2021
Posts: 1
Timeline for regular non expedited application for my wife, still in process.
No international travel plans coming up, so we don't absolutely NEED the passport, but it would be nice to have her naturalization certificate back.
4/26 - applied for new passport in person at USPS, told processing time was "12 weeks."
6/7 - check cashed, application shows up as "in process," locator number begins "61"
....then radio silence.
8/12 - reached out to our Congressman's office.
8/13 - response from Western Passport Center, to inquiry from our Congressman's office - "If the applicant is traveling soon we suggest that she upgrades to Expedite service for 60.00 so that we can start processing the application and upgrades to UPS overnight delivery for 17.56. Please send us credit card information by replying to this email so that we can process the application asap, thank you!" 15 weeks in, they're telling us we need to pay more money for the privilege of receiving worse service than promised at the outset.
8/16 - was about to send Congressman's office an email thanking them for reaching out, but as I'm literally writing the email, got a UPS email notification that an overnight package was on the way from Western Passport Center.
A bit mysterious, but we'll take the passport in our hands, if it indeed arrives tomorrow.
No international travel plans coming up, so we don't absolutely NEED the passport, but it would be nice to have her naturalization certificate back.
4/26 - applied for new passport in person at USPS, told processing time was "12 weeks."
6/7 - check cashed, application shows up as "in process," locator number begins "61"
....then radio silence.
8/12 - reached out to our Congressman's office.
8/13 - response from Western Passport Center, to inquiry from our Congressman's office - "If the applicant is traveling soon we suggest that she upgrades to Expedite service for 60.00 so that we can start processing the application and upgrades to UPS overnight delivery for 17.56. Please send us credit card information by replying to this email so that we can process the application asap, thank you!" 15 weeks in, they're telling us we need to pay more money for the privilege of receiving worse service than promised at the outset.
8/16 - was about to send Congressman's office an email thanking them for reaching out, but as I'm literally writing the email, got a UPS email notification that an overnight package was on the way from Western Passport Center.
A bit mysterious, but we'll take the passport in our hands, if it indeed arrives tomorrow.
Aug 17, 2021 | 1:27 pm
#1541
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: HTX
Programs: UA/Star Alliance Gold, AS MVP Gold/OneWorld Sapphire, Bonvoy Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10
Application Type:
First Time Applicant (Naturalized earlier this month) - Non-Standard (Large Book) with Passport Card, expedited with overnight return fee paid
Timeline:
08/09/21: Applied at post-office in Houston (They ship via priority 2 day by default)
08/11/21: Probable delivery date quoted by the USPS staff at submission (they do not give you tracking number if you apply at the Post office)
08/12/21: Status changed to "In Process"
08/13/21 (Friday): Reached out to my congresswoman's office as I needed to travel urgently. I faxed the privacy form (usually most of them have it on their website) before getting the acknowledgement.
08/16/21 (Monday): Received email that congresswoman's office had placed an expedite request
08/17/21: Passport and Passport Card shipped via overnight UPS. Expected delivery date (on UPS website): 08/18/21
Total time, door to door: 8 business days.
Contact your reps promptly if you need the passport urgently. It works.
First Time Applicant (Naturalized earlier this month) - Non-Standard (Large Book) with Passport Card, expedited with overnight return fee paid
Timeline:
08/09/21: Applied at post-office in Houston (They ship via priority 2 day by default)
08/11/21: Probable delivery date quoted by the USPS staff at submission (they do not give you tracking number if you apply at the Post office)
08/12/21: Status changed to "In Process"
08/13/21 (Friday): Reached out to my congresswoman's office as I needed to travel urgently. I faxed the privacy form (usually most of them have it on their website) before getting the acknowledgement.
08/16/21 (Monday): Received email that congresswoman's office had placed an expedite request
08/17/21: Passport and Passport Card shipped via overnight UPS. Expected delivery date (on UPS website): 08/18/21
Total time, door to door: 8 business days.
Contact your reps promptly if you need the passport urgently. It works.
Last edited by htxmd64; Aug 17, 2021 at 1:29 pm Reason: for clarity on delivery date
Aug 17, 2021 | 8:21 pm
#1542
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Colorado (anywhere between DEN DMM BAH)
Programs: United MileagePlus, SkyMiles, AAdvantage, NEXUS
Posts: 3,595
I became a citizen today (Aug. 17, 2021) and I submitted my expedited passport application at a USPS in metro Denver. Both book and card, 1-2 day delivery, the whole nine yards. Used the barcoded, online-filled DS-11 (for what it's worth). The officer said that the online application status wouldn't update until:
When has it actually been updating to "in process" for expedited applications on average?
5 to 6 weeks from the day you submit your application until your status is "In Process."
Aug 17, 2021 | 9:02 pm
#1543
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: HTX
Programs: UA/Star Alliance Gold, AS MVP Gold/OneWorld Sapphire, Bonvoy Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10
I became a citizen today (Aug. 17, 2021) and I submitted my expedited passport application at a USPS in metro Denver. Both book and card, 1-2 day delivery, the whole nine yards. Used the barcoded, online-filled DS-11 (for what it's worth). The officer said that the online application status wouldn't update until:
When has it actually been updating to "in process" for expedited applications on average?
When has it actually been updating to "in process" for expedited applications on average?
But once it is "in process", you will have the Ref/Application number. You can then find out who your rep is based on your Zip from house [dot] gov (won't let me post a link as I'm a newbie here) and usually they have instructions on seeking help with a federal agency. Did it in Jan earlier this year for my partner before our trip to DXB, got it back from Philly in 11 days door to door (she is a citizen by birth and wanted to renew hers. It went to "in process" in 4 days back then). A friend of hers applied the same day and without the rep involvement, it took 40 calendar days door to door. So if you need it for urgent travel, keep checking for it to go "in process" but in the meantime, find out who your rep is and fill out the privacy/release form if you can find it online.
Aug 17, 2021 | 9:11 pm
#1544
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Colorado (anywhere between DEN DMM BAH)
Programs: United MileagePlus, SkyMiles, AAdvantage, NEXUS
Posts: 3,595
I did the same as you mentioned. It only took a few days in my case as you can see. It may also depend on which passport processing center they send your stuff to. Mine was shipped back from Arizona to Texas. The origin scan for the envelope back is from AZ so I'm assuming that is where it went in the first place? - Perhaps different centers have different processing times. I'm only guessing.
But once it is "in process", you will have the Ref/Application number. You can then find out who your rep is based on your Zip from house [dot] gov (won't let me post a link as I'm a newbie here) and usually they have instructions on seeking help with a federal agency. Did it in Jan earlier this year for my partner before our trip to DXB, got it back from Philly in 11 days door to door (she is a citizen by birth and wanted to renew hers. It went to "in process" in 4 days back then). A friend of hers applied the same day and without the rep involvement, it took 40 calendar days door to door. So if you need it for urgent travel, keep checking for it to go "in process" but in the meantime, find out who your rep is and fill out the privacy/release form if you can find it online.
But once it is "in process", you will have the Ref/Application number. You can then find out who your rep is based on your Zip from house [dot] gov (won't let me post a link as I'm a newbie here) and usually they have instructions on seeking help with a federal agency. Did it in Jan earlier this year for my partner before our trip to DXB, got it back from Philly in 11 days door to door (she is a citizen by birth and wanted to renew hers. It went to "in process" in 4 days back then). A friend of hers applied the same day and without the rep involvement, it took 40 calendar days door to door. So if you need it for urgent travel, keep checking for it to go "in process" but in the meantime, find out who your rep is and fill out the privacy/release form if you can find it online.
Aug 17, 2021 | 9:29 pm
#1545
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: ILM, NC
Programs: AA EXP / UA Silver / AC Silver;Hilton Gold /Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,162
Non expedited / standard shipping renewal:
4/22 Shipped renewal packet priority 2 day
4/28 USPS shows delivered
6/08 In process / checked cashed (68 Portsmouth, NH office)
8/13 Status change to Approved
8/17 Passport received
4/22 Shipped renewal packet priority 2 day
4/28 USPS shows delivered
6/08 In process / checked cashed (68 Portsmouth, NH office)
8/13 Status change to Approved
8/17 Passport received