Recent Passport Processing experience?

[Spence Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Spence]

So, as soon as I got back from my Easter trip to Whistler, I sent in our passports to be renewed as they expire in Fall07. We have an Aug07 trip to Ecuador and rules are that passport has to be good for an additional 6months.

• So off they went on 10Apr.
• USPS Return Receipt indicates that they were received by 'CITIGROUP' on 13Apr.
• (What CITIGROUP is, I have no idea, there was no signature in the signature block)
• They cashed my checks on 24Apr.
• DOS website indicates 10 weeks processing time for a standard renwal, but I've heard of longer times.
• DOS website has a tracking function but even though they've taken my money, my applications do not show up, yet.

What's your recent experience?

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

I applied for my new passport in September 06. I received my passport in 3 weeks. No rush was requested. I knew that after the first of 2007, the wait was going to be very bad.

[Spence Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Spence]

I applied for my new passport in September 06. I received my passport in 3 weeks. No rush was requested. I knew that after the first of 2007, the wait was going to be very bad.

That's why I twice asked for recent experience. I was not going to give up a year of passport life to get in before the rush for 2007 policy changes. I have what I consider plenty of time, but am still asking for recent experiences.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

I applied for mine the beginning of January, and received it in 3-4 weeks. I was actually happily, surprised that I got it that quickly.

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

That's why I twice asked for recent experience. I was not going to give up a year of passport life to get in before the rush for 2007 policy changes. I have what I consider plenty of time, but am still asking for recent experiences.

Sorry, in my mind, it was recent seeing how I had let my old passport lapse for more than 15 years. It's all relative I guess.

[davhu1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close davhu1]

Mailed mine by priority mail on March 13th and still waiting.

[DorotaG Member Find all posts View Profile Close DorotaG]

My son's passport was applied for on 01/31 and received on 04/09.

[Spence Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Spence]

Mailed mine by priority mail on March 13th and still waiting.

How you mailed it has little bearing on the situation, unless you're also insinuating that you paid for expedited service.

My son's passport was applied for on 01/31 and received on 04/09.

Thanks.

[swilshire Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close swilshire]

My husband and two of my sons applied mid-Feb. They were told eight weeks and it was almost right on the nose. A couple of weeks later, they were saying ten weeks instead of eight.

My oldest son (long story) applied two weeks ago paying extra for expedited service. His Express Mail was received the next day, he shows in the system, but they are showing that he applied for standard service. Not expedited.

He's trying to get through to them on the phone, but got a recording saying they won't even talk to you if you're not leaving in the next two weeks.

Sheila

[Steamboat Bill Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Steamboat Bill]

I renewed my kids passports in Feb 2007 and did regular service. They estimated 6-8 weeks and it took 12 weeks. Luckily I did not need it sooner. I think the $60 rush fee is a smarter way to go and worth the extra cost.

[somerville Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close somerville]

Our passports expired in November 2006. We waited until two weeks before our trip to Grand Cayman in December 2006 and made an appointment with the passport office in DC, because I wanted the new ePassport. Picked them up a day after our initial appointment. Of course, we had to pay the expedited fee.

[Sydney Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close Sydney]

Last Saturday we attended a passport interview at the local post office to renew our two pasports due to expire in September and apply for a new one for our baby. OnThursday, I received an email saying mine was printed and ready to be despatched. On Friday, DH received an email to say his is despatched. Checking online, we can see that our son's has been printed and a final check on the quality is being carried out. So is 80% completed.

Sat 28th April - passport interview for 2 renewals and 1 new passport
Thur 3rd May - 1 renewal completed and despatched
Fri 4th May - 2nd renewal completed and despatched
- new passport already printed and final check

Passports usually take 14 days in Australia.

Spence, you only asked for recent, not just in the U.S. and ours is pretty recent.

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

You know my experience. shaggy

[Arb Member Find all posts View Profile Close Arb]

Passport timing -- about 2 weeks

I applied for expedited service and paid for express mail both ways.
Got the passport back in about two weeks.
This was a replacement for a lost passport.

[Love2Travel Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Love2Travel]

Last fall (Oct. 2006)

We got passports for the first time for our kids last fall. We sent everything in the end of October and had them a couple of weeks after Thanksgiving. We figured with everyone needing them in 2007, it would take longer. Guess they didn't see our kids as a threat! (Good thing they didn't talk to our MS daughter after her first grade brother !)