When I was going through immigration at LAX, the official suggested that I consider getting a new passport. The clear plastic covering the photo has bubbles and is lifting slightly at the edge. It expires in 2011, so I am considering the advice.

I have a couple of visas that are valid (expiring in 6 months to 8 years). When I mentioned the visas, the official mentioned something about keeping my worn passport and getting a new one. Does that make any sense? Did she just mean that I should travel with both my new passport and my canceled passport?

The web site is indicating 2-3 weeks with the expedited service. http://travel.state.gov/passport/get...sing_1740.html

Explore

PS Hmm, I wonder if it is better to apply for a new passport overseas.

Passport Renewal and Passport Card processing time
 

Received passport 28 days exactly from mailing to delivery; passport card and old passport in 29 days.

3/23/2011 (day 0) – Filled renewal application on-line; indicated expected travel date was 5/1; printed application and sent from postal collection box in Inglewood, CA via USPS Priority Mail for routine processing; processed shipping label through Stamps.com; passport due to expire 3/26

3/25 (day 2) – Received delivery confirmation: Philadelphia at 9:05am; detailed shipping results from USPS below:

Delivered, March 25, 2011, 11:05 am, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19190
Notice Left (No Authorized Recipient Available), March 25, 2011, 10:59 am, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19190
Arrival at Unit, March 25, 2011, 5:57 am, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19190
Electronic Shipping Info Received, March 24, 2011
Processed through Sort Facility, March 23, 2011, 7:29 pm, LOS ANGELES, CA 90052

3/28 (day 5) – Check cleared from bank

4/14 (day 22) – Website status shows that passport is in “routine processing” – gave application locator number and estimated 4-6 weeks processing time (note website says status should be updated in 5-7 days but it took a lot longer than that)

4/19 (day 27) – Website status changed to “passport in final processing stages” – gave estimated receipt of passport date of “on or about 04/24/2011”

4/20/2011 (day 28) – Received passport via USPS Priority Mail in Los Angeles; shipping label return address was in Portsmouth, NH; detailed shipping results from USPS below:

Delivered, April 20, 2011, 8:04 am, LOS ANGELES, CA 90036
Out for Delivery, April 20, 2011, 7:53 am, LOS ANGELES, CA 90048
Sorting Complete, April 20, 2011, 7:43 am, LOS ANGELES, CA 90048
Arrival at Post Office, April 20, 2011, 6:08 am, LOS ANGELES, CA 90048
Processed through Sort Facility, April 18, 2011, 3:37 pm, HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, AR 71901
Electronic Shipping Info Received, April 18, 2011

4/21/2011 (day 29) - Received both passport card and old passport in mail via regular first class but in separate envelopes. Both envelopes had a Portsmouth, NH return address.

Sent application for renewal via USPS Express mail on March 2 with expedited service.

Check cleared the bank on Monday, March 12.

Received the passport today, March 14 via UPS Overnight.

No update available on the passport status website.

Online U.S. Passport Card (Pilot Program)
 

I applied last week for a Passport Card via the pilot online process.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt...card_5648.html

I already had a valid US Passport.

I took a new digital picture and resized it using the State Dept's online photo tool (VERY easy). Filled out the application, uploaded the digital photo and paid online. I didn't asked for any expedited service.

I submitted my application after 8pm on 24 April. I received the card in the mail this morning (30 Apr). Less than 6 days door-to-door. The card came from the Portsmouth NH Passport facility and it may have helped by a day or so since I live less than 50 miles from there :D

Anyone know the current wait, for someone requesting a passport card, when they have a valid and current passport? Saw the online pilot program is over for the online passport card, so guess I have to drop the passport off at the post office. Argh. I'll update with dates, when the passport and passport card arrive.

[edit] passport card app dropped off at local post office on 9/14, during lunch. Shipping via priority envelope, with tracking. Will post when the passport and card arrive.

[edit] passpord card arrived about 2.5 weeks later (forgot to keep track), it came in an envelope marked "Official Government Business", that looked suspiciously like a scam letter, glad we opened it. Passport arrived a little over a week later, opened at the middle page flat for shipping, presumably so it didn't feel like a passport.

I sent in my wife and my old passport and requested new ones. Sent in pictures for each.

2 1/2 weeks later, I got the passports.

No expedited service requested.

Did anyone get a passport card recently? I also mailed my application in routine service on September 14 and they received it on September 18th and I checked online and it said processing since the week of the 18th and I got an e-mail today from the State Department saying it's being processed, I really need it to come this week and I did routine service since most people were saying it only takes 2 and a half weeks recently.

Any news yet?

Passport card was mailed to me yesterday according to the Natl Passport Center and it says it should be here by October 7th so that was 18 days total.

Data Point:

Passport, with Expedited Service and Overnight Return Fee.
$110+60+12.72

January 3, Mailed my application+materials to DoS via standard mail.
January 14, DoS got it, must have taken the slow boat.
January 17, DoS mailed the passport back to me using Overnight.
January 18, Passport Arrived via UPS

Total Time: 15 days

Time in Mail:
Outbound 11 days
Inbound 1 days

Time in Processing:
4 Days

Data Pt:
Mailed Passport Thu 1/24 (expected to be received Sat 1/26)
USPS shows received Tues 1/29 (sent 1st class NYC-Philly, superslow)
Passport Website shows Received 1/31 (no status)
Paid for regular service for Passport and Passcard.

Update 2/4: Payment was taken out of checking acct 1/31. Still showing just received on passport website.

Update 2/6: No change in status. Called out of curiosity and told if I pay a fee of like $80 for "priority processing" I can get it ASAP. Otherwise I need to "wait" the 4-6 weeks for processing. So who knows if they just sit on the applications to encourage paying the fee...

Update 2/13: Website just changed today to your passport is in final processing and "This means you should receive your passport on or about 02/18/2013."

*sigh* ...if only it could work that way. :D

With the storm, the passport is likely to be delayed another few days.. :-(

Anyone else having better luck?

Folks,

Just a gentle reminder that the OP's intent was to discuss processing of passport cards as distinct from standard passport books or renewals. Thanks.

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essxjay
TS/S moderator

From that I take it they also don't have the memo that they're not allowed to collect I9 data/forms unless the person is employed by them.