Passport

[minsue]

This seems like as good a place as any to ask. Anybody know how long it takes to get a passport? (U.S.)

 

[LOST&FOUND]

This seems like as good a place as any to ask. Anybody know how long it takes to get a passport? (U.S.)

Well pre-911 the wait was about a month, so I guess now it would be a little more than that.

 

[werbl]

I got my passport in '99. I had to have my picture taken, bring that to my local post office to fill out some forms, then they send it to one of the main offices... I think there's one in Chicago and another in New Orleans. If I remember correctly, it took about 2 months to get it back. But, my sister got hers a couple years later, and I think it took less time to get her's back, for whatever reason. Technology, whatver. SO, less than two months.

 

[MercyMia]

This seems like as good a place as any to ask. Anybody know how long it takes to get a passport? (U.S.)

About 10 years ago, the application forms stated that you should give 45 days of processing time. However, it always took less time than that. I think if it's an emergency, you can ask for expedited handling.

P.S. One time, I was behind a guy at the embassy here. He was a backpacker and was at the Singapore airport, about to depart, when he realized his passport was missing. He hotfooted it to the embassy and from his discussion with the clerk (what I could hear of it without being too obvious about eavesdropping) it seemed like they could get him a replacement within a couple of days.

 

[MastrJ]

If you really need to get it quick you can get it done in about a week. Look around on the web for passport expediting services. It'll cost you about twice as much as what the passport will cost you through the government. The difference is that they will basically walk your passport application from department to department. You're paying for someone to activiley hassle the government drones on your behalf. I needed a passport back in 2001. In fact it was being processed the week of 9/11. I still managed to get it within two weeks. The biggest hold up was the restricted flights for the week after the attacks. These services will also help you get speedier visas if you're going somewhere that requires one.

 

[sheath]

In my experience, mine came back within two weeks. But I was warned that it could take six weeks, and for my son, it did take that long. I'm not sure why.

One big thing...make certain ALL your information is accurate. If there are a few numbers transposed, a letter not clear in the name, whatever...with the security procedures now, it will take FOREVER to get those things cleared up, no matter how innocent the mistake really is. So check everything a dozen times before you submit the forms. Then let somebody else check it again for you, just to be sure.

S.

 

[Lust Engine]

Pay for that expediting service if you don't have to have it back immediately. The expeditors could actually give you a firm date as too when it would be back- whereas the government can only give you rough estimates. You pay a little more (and that depends on how fast you want it back- or that was the way it was with my expeditor here) but for the peace of mind, I thought it was worth every plug nickel.

 

[GodBlessTexas]

I got my passport back in '98, and it took about 6 weeks. We didn't pay any services to do anything. We just went down to the post office, let them take our pics, filled out the forms, and mailed them off. I've heard the technology is much different now, with computer printed pictures and all kinds of other security things, so I really have no idea.

Glad I could be so much help, minsue. No, no, don't thank me. It's my pleasure.

 

[Lager than most]

Big Rush?

The best place to get a passport in a rush is an office in a federal building. I needed mine in 10 days and it was no problem. The person in front of me needed one the next day and they got it. The people at the office at least in LA were very nice and helpful. Sure it takes more work than just mailing in a form, but if you need it now thats the way to go.

 

[minsue]

Thanks, everybody!! You all are great!

 

[Lust Engine]

Things might be a little different in a post 9/11 era now. If you need the passport soon, I'd look into seeing how much time it's going to take to get one now and then pad it with a few weeks to be safe. The last thing you need to do is pay for travel and then find out you can't get your passport in time to fly.

 

[stringstoyou]

i got mine last year, and without checking the fast processing and paying an extra fee i got it back within 2 weeks, same with my mom. but i think it says to make sure to allocate 6 weeks.

it depends on when you put in the application, the closer to summer or the summer is probably the slowest

 

[tiger_smurf]

30-60 days. post 9/11. I went to England in 2003.

 

[peachykeen]

If you are travelling for business and you need it urgently, you can get it in one day, provided you bring the requisite documentation with you. There aren't many passport offices where you can get the same day service but I know there is one in Philadelphia, as that is where Mr K and I got ours.

 

[Lust Engine]

I like the assuredness of those priority places as opposed to the 30-60 day uncertainty of waiting for the Feds. Sure you pay a small premium for the rush service but you KNOW it'll be in your hands on that date. With something as important as a passport, why risk it being delayed and not having a direct person to talk to or explain why it was delayed if you can't get it on time?

 

[someplace]

I had to find out information for my boss a couple of months ago. If she wasn't travelling that week and needed it on an emergency basis, she HAD to mail it in. There was absolutely no showing up in person to turn it in anymore (at the federal building downtown). This was totally different than what I encountered before 9/11. [I wonder if it was just the federal building having tighter security and not about the passports themselves?]

If you need it in a hurry, you must show them your actual plane ticket.

Some post offices process passport applications, though so you don't have to go to a federal building -- that might be worth checking into as the wait might be a lot less time.

 

[Lust Engine]

Some post offices process passport applications, though so you don't have to go to a federal building -- that might be worth checking into as the wait might be a lot less time.

No offense meant to postal workers but I'd trust an outside firm over the postal service where theydeal with so much other stuff already. Those outside priority firms have a financial obligation to produce.

 

[zhukov1943]

I got a replacement via the post office quite quickly - less than two weeks.

I think the post 9/11 security is more focused on foreigners coming IN than American citizens going OUT...

Just make sure you use a current picture. I travelled with my old passport from college where I had long, long hair and a beard (I looked like Jesus). I now look like a Young Republican.

I had to tell the Customs officials over and over that "I had to get a job, you know..."