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)
Mar 7, 2023 | 6:47 am
#2267
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SFO, OAK
Programs: UA GS 1MM, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 179
A note for online renewal applicants. I called the passport line and had to get transferred to another queue for people who have already applied. That used up a further 25 minutes. They verified my application details and then sent a notification to the processing agency that my travel date is within 14 days. Apparently, that should be enough for them to process and send the passport in time because I am still 10 days out from travel. If application status does not change and it's 5 business days from travel then I have to call back for further options - they will either give me a tracking number or schedule me for an in-person appointment at an agency. They don't make it straightforward. I DO NOT recommend applying online.
I also updated the wiki with new menu option numbers.
I also updated the wiki with new menu option numbers.
Mar 7, 2023 | 9:18 am
#2268
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 60
A note for online renewal applicants. I called the passport line and had to get transferred to another queue for people who have already applied. That used up a further 25 minutes. They verified my application details and then sent a notification to the processing agency that my travel date is within 14 days. Apparently, that should be enough for them to process and send the passport in time because I am still 10 days out from travel. If application status does not change and it's 5 business days from travel then I have to call back for further options - they will either give me a tracking number or schedule me for an in-person appointment at an agency. They don't make it straightforward. I DO NOT recommend applying online.
I also updated the wiki with new menu option numbers.
I also updated the wiki with new menu option numbers.
Mar 7, 2023 | 6:46 pm
#2269
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN, FL350
Programs: IHTFP, AS 100k, ex-AA EXP, ex-UA 1K, Ex-BD/A6/AC *G (RIP)
Posts: 518
I emailed one of my senators yesterday about the issue. Got a response in under 7 minutes and had a confirmed appointment 10 minutes after that.
When senators and reps all have custom web forms for reporting passport issues, you know the system is *really* broken. If only they could just fix the root cause. What a waste of everyone's time and resources.
When senators and reps all have custom web forms for reporting passport issues, you know the system is *really* broken. If only they could just fix the root cause. What a waste of everyone's time and resources.
My appointment was on a Friday morning (8AM) and I was instructed to return for pick up at 2PM the following Monday. They were able to do large (48/50 page) books at the Colorado agency.
Mar 8, 2023 | 8:30 pm
#2270
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak; GM with hotels; Waymo; Honda crv; iOS
Posts: 36,614
I requested the Standard passport plus I used online wizard to fill out forms and then mail via priority mail flat rate envelope ($7.60 on PayPal shipping).
only today did I finally dispose of my photocopies of the application plus the shipping label :-)
very sad to see that online renewal isnt efficient. Bummer on Ralphs passport arriving after travel was to start.
Mar 9, 2023 | 7:00 am
#2271
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 300
We applied for my kids at a local library on January 30th. The application was received on February 7th and my USPS Informed Delivery Digest tells me there is something in the mail from the State Department. That would make is only 4 weeks if we do receive it today.
Also, when I check my application status on the US State Dept website, I see that the status changed to Approved and I see this banner as well:
edit: We received the passport today. Right at 4 weeks!
Also, when I check my application status on the US State Dept website, I see that the status changed to Approved and I see this banner as well:
Note for customers who applied in person or renewed by mail from February 6-13
We are resolving a technical issue that may prevent you from getting your passport status online. If you see a status of “Not Available” and applied in early February, please know that we are working on your application. Continue to check your status online. If you need your passport for urgent travel in the next 14 days, go to our Get My Passport Fast page for more information.
We are resolving a technical issue that may prevent you from getting your passport status online. If you see a status of “Not Available” and applied in early February, please know that we are working on your application. Continue to check your status online. If you need your passport for urgent travel in the next 14 days, go to our Get My Passport Fast page for more information.
Last edited by ToSRQ; Mar 9, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Mar 10, 2023 | 8:53 am
#2272
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SFO
Programs: AY Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 8,612
We submitted an online renewal on Jan 18, and received the "received" e-mail on Jan 30th. We chose expedited processing, and the "received" e-mail indicates a 3-5 week processing time from the date of submission. We're now at 7 weeks past submission and the status still shows as "received".
We have travel in 3 weeks, on April 2nd. Is there anything I can do now, other than request a refund for the expedited service fees? I can't get through on the phone.
We have travel in 3 weeks, on April 2nd. Is there anything I can do now, other than request a refund for the expedited service fees? I can't get through on the phone.
Mar 10, 2023 | 10:41 am
#2273
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Platinum, Delta SM, Atmos Silver, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 8,165
We submitted an online renewal on Jan 18, and received the "received" e-mail on Jan 30th. We chose expedited processing, and the "received" e-mail indicates a 3-5 week processing time from the date of submission. We're now at 7 weeks past submission and the status still shows as "received".
We have travel in 3 weeks, on April 2nd. Is there anything I can do now, other than request a refund for the expedited service fees? I can't get through on the phone.
We have travel in 3 weeks, on April 2nd. Is there anything I can do now, other than request a refund for the expedited service fees? I can't get through on the phone.
Mar 10, 2023 | 6:10 pm
#2274
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SFO
Programs: AY Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 8,612
I really, really would like to avoid a last minute fire drill.
Mar 11, 2023 | 10:06 am
#2275
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: AS; Hyatt Globalist; Hilton Gold; NEXUS
Posts: 1,175
We submitted an online renewal on Jan 18, and received the "received" e-mail on Jan 30th. We chose expedited processing, and the "received" e-mail indicates a 3-5 week processing time from the date of submission. We're now at 7 weeks past submission and the status still shows as "received".
We have travel in 3 weeks, on April 2nd. Is there anything I can do now, other than request a refund for the expedited service fees? I can't get through on the phone.
We have travel in 3 weeks, on April 2nd. Is there anything I can do now, other than request a refund for the expedited service fees? I can't get through on the phone.
Basically, log into your MyTravelGov account. Once you reach the page with your application info, open your browser's developer tools pane (usually done by pressing F12). Click on the "Network" tab in the developer tools pane. In the main browser window, click on your passport application number and wait for the dialog to load that lets you change your address.
You will then see an entry on the network tab called "GetExisitingAvailActionsData". Click that. Then click on the "Response" section of the request. You will see your status embedded in the JSON payload. It'll probably be one of the statuses mentioned on that reddit thread. You want to see "Fulfillment" or "Closeout", both of which seem to imply that the review process has completed and your passport has shipped, or is in the process of shipping.
This seems to offer significantly more detail into your passport's status than what the phone agents have, or at least what they are willing to provide.
Mar 11, 2023 | 5:21 pm
#2276
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP >3 Million miles,HH Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 3,435
My daughter applied online on Feb 5 just before online closed down and status hasn't changed from received since Feb 8th. This thread of course makes me concerned about upcoming travel for April that we did not think we be any problem. . I understand the 15 days before travel for contacting the passport help line but how early did people reach out to their representatives to get the ball rolling.
And why isn't this a bigger news story? Why don't we see this in national newspapers that the commitments made on the site are not reliable and make it exceedingly difficult to plan travel. A passport is pretty valuable thing to have and to wait months when you have requested and paid for expedited service just doesn't seem right.
And why isn't this a bigger news story? Why don't we see this in national newspapers that the commitments made on the site are not reliable and make it exceedingly difficult to plan travel. A passport is pretty valuable thing to have and to wait months when you have requested and paid for expedited service just doesn't seem right.
Mar 11, 2023 | 8:27 pm
#2277
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: AS; Hyatt Globalist; Hilton Gold; NEXUS
Posts: 1,175
My daughter applied online on Feb 5 just before online closed down and status hasn't changed from received since Feb 8th. This thread of course makes me concerned about upcoming travel for April that we did not think we be any problem. . I understand the 15 days before travel for contacting the passport help line but how early did people reach out to their representatives to get the ball rolling.
And why isn't this a bigger news story? Why don't we see this in national newspapers that the commitments made on the site are not reliable and make it exceedingly difficult to plan travel. A passport is pretty valuable thing to have and to wait months when you have requested and paid for expedited service just doesn't seem right.
And why isn't this a bigger news story? Why don't we see this in national newspapers that the commitments made on the site are not reliable and make it exceedingly difficult to plan travel. A passport is pretty valuable thing to have and to wait months when you have requested and paid for expedited service just doesn't seem right.
It's unclear why that is - perhaps some passport specialists aren't trained on how to process online applications, maybe there were system outages, or other technical problems. Rumor has it that they are converting online applications to paper applications in order to process them more quickly. But I agree with you - this should be a story. Other western countries seem to have no trouble turning around routine applications in a matter of days or weeks. I don't buy the WHTI excuse - they know how many passports are expiring (all online apps are renewals) and so the office should be adequately staffed to handle that demand.
Mar 12, 2023 | 10:55 am
#2278
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SFO, OAK
Programs: UA GS 1MM, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 179
Thanks for sharing this. Mine shows up as "Exception". I am guessing that is because they updated my travel date to be this Friday 3/17 when I reached them by phone last Tuesday. It's all coming down to the wire. I was told 3-5 weeks when I applied. I am now at 6 completed weeks since I applied online. I will try to get through on the phone again on Monday and see if they will give me an in-person appointment. It's kind of annoying that they wouldn't allow me to attempt to schedule an in-person appointment until I was 5 business days out from travel. That was last Friday - and I just could not get through to anyone on the phone successfully to schedule an appointment.
I have posted some steps on Reddit that should give you insight into your passport's status: https://www.reddit.com/r/Passports/c...raffic_to_get/
Basically, log into your MyTravelGov account. Once you reach the page with your application info, open your browser's developer tools pane (usually done by pressing F12). Click on the "Network" tab in the developer tools pane. In the main browser window, click on your passport application number and wait for the dialog to load that lets you change your address.
You will then see an entry on the network tab called "GetExisitingAvailActionsData". Click that. Then click on the "Response" section of the request. You will see your status embedded in the JSON payload. It'll probably be one of the statuses mentioned on that reddit thread. You want to see "Fulfillment" or "Closeout", both of which seem to imply that the review process has completed and your passport has shipped, or is in the process of shipping.
This seems to offer significantly more detail into your passport's status than what the phone agents have, or at least what they are willing to provide.
Basically, log into your MyTravelGov account. Once you reach the page with your application info, open your browser's developer tools pane (usually done by pressing F12). Click on the "Network" tab in the developer tools pane. In the main browser window, click on your passport application number and wait for the dialog to load that lets you change your address.
You will then see an entry on the network tab called "GetExisitingAvailActionsData". Click that. Then click on the "Response" section of the request. You will see your status embedded in the JSON payload. It'll probably be one of the statuses mentioned on that reddit thread. You want to see "Fulfillment" or "Closeout", both of which seem to imply that the review process has completed and your passport has shipped, or is in the process of shipping.
This seems to offer significantly more detail into your passport's status than what the phone agents have, or at least what they are willing to provide.
Mar 12, 2023 | 11:31 am
#2279
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,374
I will try to get through on the phone again on Monday and see if they will give me an in-person appointment. It's kind of annoying that they wouldn't allow me to attempt to schedule an in-person appointment until I was 5 business days out from travel. That was last Friday - and I just could not get through to anyone on the phone successfully to schedule an appointment.
Mar 13, 2023 | 3:34 am
#2280
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,077
If the data points are to be believed - it's online applicants that got the shaft. Paper applications seem to be making the service commitments.
It's unclear why that is - perhaps some passport specialists aren't trained on how to process online applications, maybe there were system outages, or other technical problems. Rumor has it that they are converting online applications to paper applications in order to process them more quickly. But I agree with you - this should be a story. Other western countries seem to have no trouble turning around routine applications in a matter of days or weeks. I don't buy the WHTI excuse - they know how many passports are expiring (all online apps are renewals) and so the office should be adequately staffed to handle that demand.
It's unclear why that is - perhaps some passport specialists aren't trained on how to process online applications, maybe there were system outages, or other technical problems. Rumor has it that they are converting online applications to paper applications in order to process them more quickly. But I agree with you - this should be a story. Other western countries seem to have no trouble turning around routine applications in a matter of days or weeks. I don't buy the WHTI excuse - they know how many passports are expiring (all online apps are renewals) and so the office should be adequately staffed to handle that demand.
There are other “western countries” that have been a mess too with getting passport applications in and passports out. At least with the US passport applications, there are emergency routes to get applications in and turned quickly. A variety of the “orderly” European passport issuing authorities are more hostile toward urgent passport needs by their nationals than the US State Department.
The way the human eye still works, reviewing ink-on-paper vs other material tends to be more accurate and sustainable at stretches than reviewing digital material vs digital material.