Is your application showing up in the State Dept system, and was it expedited or regular?

Like any other high volume recipient, it's almost certainly caller service and not a physical PO Box. My understanding is the distribution center *is* where that mail terminates, so it's probably just a missed scan. The actual lockbox facility that processes those applications is actually in northern Delaware, not Philly.

So, it said approved, then shipped, then approved again, I wrote an email to the congressman that was helping me and he said that I had been shipped via ups next day air. And indeed I received the passaport the next day (Feb 25th), but I had asked the congressman for help with my daughter's birth certificate, I needed the one that I sent with the passport application urgently to naturalize her at the Brazilian consulate, and I ended up receiving the doc today (Feb 26th) via ups next day air as well

Have you received anything yet?

I am a lot slower than most of you, but mine finally came.

Nov 23rd: mailed renewal
Dec 1st: check cashed and status changed to "In Process" on website
Feb 27th: received passport

So about 14 weeks in total. Though at least some of that was due to the now-typical pitiful performance by USPS. I actually received my old punched passport via regular mail before the new one sent via Priority (11 days in transit).

Appointments in-person how ?
 

I need to make an appointment at a passport office to get a passport renewed within the next week. There are no available appointments in New York City or Philadelphia. Does anyone know what time they open up appointments and how far in advance?

Is it life and death?

wait for it.....
.
.
.
wait for it.......

Waiting Games
 

I filled out my passport renewal form and sent that in along with old passport and new picture on February 4th as first class mail. This was from NJ to the Philadelphia po box. The usps tracking shows delivered on February 8th (Monday). Since then I have received no updates and they still have yet to cash my check. I have called passport services twice with both representatives telling me they have no information or updates and to just keep watching my account to see when the check is cashed. Anyone else have an issue such as this? I'm not sure where to go from here. Any info or ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!

It doesnt have to be life or death anymore. you can make an appointment for travel if you have a urgent reason to go.

https://passportappointment.travel.state.gov/

its hard to catch a reservation but I got lucky I just kept looking

Incomplete knowledge is a dangerous thing.

Uhhh yes, and if the appointments are FULL there is a "life or death" provision whereby you can force an appointment,

"

Life-or-Death Emergencies

You may be eligible for an appointment if your immediate family member has died or is seriously ill or injured while abroad and you need to travel outside the United States within 72 hours (3 business days). Immediate family members include parents, legal guardians, children, spouses, siblings, and grandparents.

If you're traveling in more than 72 hours, learn more about Where to Apply.

If you need a passport due to a life-or-death emergency within 72 hours (3 business days), you must call us. Appointments for this service are extremely limited due to our limited staffing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Update: I received yesterday a letter from the Houston agency dated February 11th (!) complaining about the size of the picture I submitted. Fail on my part, but it does look like they did review the application shortly after sending the email.
Edit: actually, looking at the envelope, it was posted on the 22nd of February... so the postal performance is not as bad as originally thought.

Did you ever receive an update to this from USPS?

too big? Too small?

I received an email Friday stating that they would “review and investigate”. Nothing since.

I’m now wondering if I should notify the State Department of a lost passport.

Yeah I'm basically in the same boat. Mine said delivered Sunday afternoon on February 7th to the Philadelphia po box. Not a word since and they havent cashed my check. I've called the passport agency twice but they had no information, but I guess why would they if the check isn't cashed.

Daughter Passport
 

Hey everyone!

We sent my daughter's application for her passport on January 17. The passport was approved on February 19 and shipped on February 24. I got the tracking number for the package with the passport and still have not received the passport. When I check the tracking on the USPS website it says, "Your package will arrive later than expected, but is still on its way." I think the package is lost! What do I do? Yesterday (March 1) we received the birth certificate but have not received the passport

Too big. I got confused with the face and hair size! I have only myself to blame.
The whole thing does seem to highlight however that a lot of the problems and delays don't stem directly from passport issuance, but rather from sending it there and back again.

Same here. USPS delivered 3 weeks ago but passport status website shows Not Found. Guess the backlog in Philadelphia is heavy.

Let me know if you receive any updates on it. I'll do the same! Trying to hold off on reporting it lost.

I was able to speak with a representative at the National Passport Information Center (877-487-2778) a few minutes ago. I explained my situation and was told that the USPS is currently having “issues” forwarding passport applications to the facility where the actual passport is made and that I should wait at least a month and a half before reporting the passport as “lost” and initiating a new application.

She also said I should monitor my bank account to see if the check is cashed. Something I've already been doing.

Tomorrow is one month from the date I put the thing in the mail. Six weeks will be March 18. I’m going to be patient until March 25, at which point two U.S. Senators, a U.S. Representative, the Secretary of State and the Postmaster General will all be getting letters they don't want to read.

On second though, it might be better to email them if I want to get the message through before they die. :rolleyes:

If you want assistance from one of your representatives, I suggest picking one of them and asking f:)r help via an electronic form. That should get you the fastest and best assistance.

Check was deposited yesterday. Fingers crossed.

Mine says delivered February 7th. Still no check cashed 😞 was around the same as yours so maybe mine will be soon, but am glad to hear yours finally was.

Finally got an email:

So 10-12 weeks for processing and another 4 weeks for the USPS to deliver. I should have my new passport by June 23. :tu:

Good thing I'm not planning to go anywhere where I absolutely need it.

Getting a bit panicked -
Feb 1st - mailed
Feb 19th - delivered to Philadelphia (expedited )
Feb 23 - email received that application is in process
Feb 23 - check cased

No updates since then
I leave for travel on March 25th

Looking at some of the other timelines reported, I feel like I've got about another week for an update

If I contact my State Reps is there anything they can do at this stage?

Out of curiosity, has anyone here ever had an "amendment (code 74 (R)) showing the bearer’s full legal name" in his US passport? If so, did you have to request it, or was it added spontaneously?
I wonder if any abnormalities (presence of amendments, lack of national social security ID number, request for a bigger booklet) might contribute to some delays.

Did you request the fastest postal delivery available?
If not it might be worth it upgrading to it for the mailing of the booklet to you. From previous posts it appears you can upgrade the return by calling the hotline.
Personally I think that contacting the representative earlier is better - even just pointing the situation out with a sense of moderate rather than extreme urgency.

I can’t remember about shipping to me, I think I did. I paid $170, would I have paid more for expedited shipping?

as an update, I did contact my rep
3/4 - contacted rep
3/5 2:00 pm, rep said they have sent request to review to passport agency
3/5 6:00 pm, received email that passport is approved and I should receive by 3/13

Nice!
 

That's great. I'm in the same boat. I mailed over night, expedited Feb 21st.. says received and processing Feb 25th. It's March 6th and still says processing. We leave March 29th. I'll wait another week. Then try the state rep if nothing has changed. How did you find out how and who to contact? Congrats on getting yours in time!

Does anyone know if the passport agency works 7 days a week? Do the post passport updates 7 days a week? Seems i'm checking the website 10 times a day.lol

I contacted my state rep. They had a form online to fill out and then emailed with them. Was surprisingly easy.

Cool
 

I went to my state reps website and emailed him directly.
I did find a site that said most expedited child's passports have been getting done in 25 days or less. Hopeful

Site
 

Passportwaitingtime.com

Passport Book and Card Renewal to Irving TX
 

2/23: prepared renewal application for card and book online
2/24: sent via USPS priority mail to Irving, TX
2/27: USPS indicates delivered
3/03: Application 'In Process'
3/03: Check cashed

I mailed my passport in January 27th from OH to PA. Shortly after I mailed the application my wallet was stolen with the tracking number. (I will forever take a photo of that number from now on). The passport agency has not received my application (It has been 6 weeks). I filled out a missing mail search with USPS but they closed the case with no resolution. I called USPS again and opened another case. I'm waiting to hear back.



I contacted my state representative and they told me to contact my Senator. My Senator called me back today and just said my only option was the keep waiting unless I have a tracking number.

My question is should I keep waiting or mail in a stolen/lost passport application? My fear is after I mail it they original will show up and then the agency is able to cash both my checks.

I was hoping to travel in July and really thought mailing in January would leave me plenty of time. I am now getting nervous that I am running out of time.

I mailed mine in February 4th from NJ to PA. They recieved it at the PO box Sunday February 7th. I heard nothing, no updates, no cashed check. I opened a case with usps last week and contacted my local representative. This morning my check was cashed and my application is in processing. I would recommend waiting another week or two before filing a lost passport. I wanted to do the same as you but waiting worked. Philadelphia must have had a major backup late January into February. You would still have plenty of time if you need to file a lost passport and get a new one if you wait a few more weeks, worst case you'd just have to expedite the new form for an extra $60. Good luck!

That was fast!!!!
 

Ok so I applied for my first passport ever on 02/26/21 at a local USPS. It was received on 03/05 regular service. I called yesterday which was 03/08 to have it expedited. Just got an email 03/09 saying application was approved and passport should be here 03/12

Amazing. Do you know from which passport agency it is coming?

Boston. Well that's the agency that charged my card whenever I upgraded to expedited.

Thank you for the information. I will wait till the end of the month. Just frustrating seeing everyone who mailed after me get further than me. Glad to hear it worked out for you