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Current US passport wait? (Merged Threads)

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Old Mar 1, 2022, 6:35 am
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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:
  1. 14 days before your trip, you need to schedule an appointment with the passport agency.
  2. 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)
  3. Click 1 (For English)
  4. Click 2 (New Passport)
  5. 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.
  6. When your it hits exactly 8:00 am Click 2 (for traveling within 14 days option)
  7. 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.
  8. If you did not click 1 exactly at 8 am, you may have to wait for more than an hour and half
After the appointment slot has been reserved you will be provided with a unique identifier code and reservation number. These details will also be emailed to you.

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.
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Current US passport wait? (Merged Threads)

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Old Feb 4, 2022 | 11:26 am
  #1846  
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Just ran down some info for Locator 71 applications that had a passport card selection along with the passport on applications submitted at US embassies/consulates. The passport cards got back to the US embassies/consulates about 3 weeks after application -- which is about 1-1.5 weeks after the new passports were already available at the embassies/consulates.

For those waiting to get their passport this way, note that if a US passport or passport card sits at the embassy/consulate for more than 90 days, it's to be sent back to the US. Not what you want.

Originally Posted by gfunkdave
Received my new passport over a week ago and still haven't gotten the old one back.
That's very much within the range of normal for how things go with getting back citizenship/identity evidence used as part of an application.
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Old Feb 4, 2022 | 11:59 am
  #1847  
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Applied for Renewal using Routine service
Mailed: Tuesday, 1/18/22 via USPS Priority mail to Philadelphia processing center
Delivered: Thursday, 1/20/22
In Process: Not yet
Money Order Cashed: Not yet
Approved/Shipped: Not yet
Received: Not yet

Over 2 weeks from receipt confirmation from USPS and still no update on the state department's end seems a bit long, eh? (The check status website says it can take up to 2 weeks from receipt.)
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Old Feb 4, 2022 | 12:06 pm
  #1848  
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Originally Posted by GUWonder
Just ran down some info for Locator 71 applications that had a passport card selection along with the passport on applications submitted at US embassies/consulates. The passport cards got back to the US embassies/consulates about 3 weeks after application -- which is about 1-1.5 weeks after the new passports were already available at the embassies/consulates.

For those waiting to get their passport this way, note that if a US passport or passport card sits at the embassy/consulate for more than 90 days, it's to be sent back to the US. Not what you want.

That's very much within the range of normal for how things go with getting back citizenship/identity evidence used as part of an application.
My passport cards have taken up to 2 weeks after the passports have arrived. And it has taken up to 3 weeks to get canceled passports and supporting documentation back. Keep in mind all of these items are being received, processed, evaluated, produced and mailed from multiple locations. It is not "one-stop" shopping....
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Old Feb 4, 2022 | 1:37 pm
  #1849  
 
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Originally Posted by strickerj
Applied for Renewal using Routine service
Mailed: Tuesday, 1/18/22 via USPS Priority mail to Philadelphia processing center
Delivered: Thursday, 1/20/22
In Process: Not yet
Money Order Cashed: Not yet
Approved/Shipped: Not yet
Received: Not yet

Over 2 weeks from receipt confirmation from USPS and still no update on the state department's end seems a bit long, eh? (The check status website says it can take up to 2 weeks from receipt.)
Since it's been over 2 weeks, you should be able to call the passport status support line at 877.487.2778 to see if they have any info.
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Old Feb 6, 2022 | 7:18 pm
  #1850  
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Originally Posted by GUWonder
That's very much within the range of normal for how things go with getting back citizenship/identity evidence used as part of an application.
Thanks. Old passport arrived the day after I said I hadn't gotten it.
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Old Feb 7, 2022 | 9:20 am
  #1851  
 
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Originally Posted by strickerj
Applied for Renewal using Routine service
Mailed: Tuesday, 1/18/22 via USPS Priority mail to Philadelphia processing center
Delivered: Thursday, 1/20/22
In Process: Not yet
Money Order Cashed: Not yet
Approved/Shipped: Not yet
Received: Not yet

Over 2 weeks from receipt confirmation from USPS and still no update on the state department's end seems a bit long, eh? (The check status website says it can take up to 2 weeks from receipt.)
Wanted to check if you have any updates. My application is showing unavailable on the status check site. It was delivered on 1/27.
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Old Feb 7, 2022 | 2:27 pm
  #1852  
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Originally Posted by mg89
Wanted to check if you have any updates. My application is showing unavailable on the status check site. It was delivered on 1/27.
Mine actually just came back Friday with a photo rejection. Helpfully, they just reiterate the guidelines on the website (which I think I followed) without specifying which it failed, much like the article commenting on FlyerTalk's news feed ("Your comment contains words that aren't allowed. Remove them and try again.")

Anyway, I'm resending it today. At least the check was returned with it.
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Old Feb 8, 2022 | 6:56 am
  #1853  
 
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Application is "In Process". Any ideas where Locator Number 18 is?

Applied for Renewal using Routine service
  • Mailed: Tuesday, 1/25/22 via USPS Priority mail to Philly
  • Delivered: Thursday, 1/27/22
  • In Process: Tuesday, 2/8/22
  • Money Order Cashed: Tuesday, 2/8/22
  • Approved/Shipped:
  • Received:
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Old Feb 8, 2022 | 6:15 pm
  #1854  
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Originally Posted by GUWonder
If we take the typical OSL applicant for a US passport, the typical wait for a full-duration US passport to come back to Oslo after an in-person application at the Embassy? Less than 12 days, and the bulk of that is because of production abroad, followed by the logistics of sending it to Oslo, followed by how the personnel there handle it.
Interesting. I was considering applying for my new Norwegian passport in Norway because they now cost twice as much at embassies/consulates. That didn't work out due to travel timing. But I hadn't considered that it might also have made sense to apply for my US passport in Norway.

I'll keep this in mind for the renewal, assuming things don't change drastically by 2031. :-)
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Old Feb 9, 2022 | 6:36 am
  #1855  
 
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Same Day Renewal

Hi. Ok. My bad for not realizing my passport was expired. Waited two weeks before flying to call to book same day appointment for renewal. Scored the only one available- but its for the same day I am set to fly out the night of.

Anyone have insights on how long process takes to walk out with a passport assuming all goes well?

Any strategy to call to reschedule - they say people cancel and you can get one a cancellation.

Thank you! Would love some thoughts.
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Old Feb 9, 2022 | 7:37 am
  #1856  
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Originally Posted by gfunkdave
Received my new passport over a week ago and still haven't gotten the old one back.
I got my old passport back this week. About 2 weeks after my new one arrived.
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Old Feb 9, 2022 | 8:45 am
  #1857  
 
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Hi Everyone: I applied for my passport on Feb 1st and the Check got cashed on Feb 7th but still I cannot find the details on the status page. It says not availiable.

Same thing for my wife. We applied for a change of details and the status is showing "In Process" However I received the passport 2 days ago. Does anybody have this issue?
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Old Feb 10, 2022 | 7:17 am
  #1858  
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The steps below work like a charm...Thank you FT community!


The trick is to call...
Spoiler
 


Originally Posted by chgoeditor
Thanks! We were able to make an appointment using the technique above (with corrections below) for a couple hours after his oath ceremony. Your help was invaluable. Fingers crossed this actually works.
  1. 14 days before your trip, you need to schedule an appointment in a travel agency with the passport agency.
  2. Appointments are not easy to get, but there is tricks.
  3. Wake up at 7:45 eastern time
  4. @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)
  5. Click 1 (For English), then 1 (New Passport), then 2 (To continue). That is 112
  6. Listen for the options, and notice that it say click 4 3 to repeat this menu
  7. Click 4 3 to repeat, and keep doing this while watching your watch
  8. When your watch hits exactly 8 :00 am, then hit 2 1 (for travelling within 14 days option)
  9. Now you will be waiting for an agent. If you are very lucky, you will be waiting few minutes or maybe as long as 15-20 minutes.
  10. If you did not hit the 2 1 option exactly at 8 am, you may have to wait for more than an hour and half

Edited to add: When calling, be sure to have your complete travel info, including flight information and booking confirmation number because they will ask for it.

Last edited by zip10001; Feb 10, 2022 at 1:55 pm
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Old Feb 10, 2022 | 7:22 am
  #1859  
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Originally Posted by serialportme
Hi. Ok. My bad for not realizing my passport was expired. Waited two weeks before flying to call to book same day appointment for renewal. Scored the only one available- but its for the same day I am set to fly out the night of.

Anyone have insights on how long process takes to walk out with a passport assuming all goes well?
Is your appointment early on the day of your flight? If so, you can expect to pick up your passport the very same day from what the US Passport Agency told me on the phone.
However, if you appointment is at 3pm, and your flight out of the US is scheduled for 5pm, it will not happen!
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Old Feb 11, 2022 | 11:08 am
  #1860  
 
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Application - "Approved".

Applied for Renewal using Routine service
  • Mailed: Tuesday, 1/25/22 via USPS Priority mail to Philly
  • Delivered: Thursday, 1/27/22
  • In Process: Tuesday, 2/8/22
  • Money Order Cashed: Tuesday, 2/8/22
  • Approved/Shipped: Friday, 2/11/22 (Showing estimated arrival of 2/19)
  • Received:

Last edited by mg89; Feb 11, 2022 at 2:09 pm
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