Has anyone applied for passports very recently? My family and I are applying tomorrow and traveling in 9 weeks. I did call into passport services and they told me currently the average time frame is 6-8 weeks. I wondering if we have enough time or do I expidite for an additional $240.00 (4 people). If you have recently applied, how long did it take to receive your passport?
2007-09-07 03:17:25 · 11 answers · asked by abby 2 in Travel ➔ Travel (General) ➔ Other - Destinations
EXPEDITE!
Let me explain...
I have a friend who just recently sold his house in Oregon, and 'had' a 'job' house-sitting a friends estate in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. He applied for his passport, and was told that if you are traveling within US/Mexico/Canada, that you did not need to have physically received your passport, as long as it had been filed and registered, which they said should take about a week, or so. Two weeks later, he goes to the airport, says his goodbyes, and gets told that he cannot board the plane because his passport had not registered yet.They gave him a website to check to see when it had gone through. He called his friend in Cabo, who was disappointed, as he needed to leave. Then, to make matters worse, it registered 2 days later, but no planes were flying to or from Cabo, due to hurricane warnings. He called, and found out his friend found someone else to watch his place in Mexico, and as of right now, is 'homeless', and kickin' it on my couch til he figures it all out. Go for the most 'for sure' thing when traveling, even if it means spending a little extra time or money to get it. Again: Expedite!
Good luck, and I hope you have fun!
2007-09-07 03:42:32 · answer #1 · answered by The Pandachrist 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I applied in June and was told it would be 10-12 weeks. I got the passport in 10 weeks with standard service. I was told expedited service was 2-3 weeks.
So, if they are now telling you 6-8 weeks it looks like you could do it but you're cutting it close. Whether you get expedited service or not just depend on if saving the $240 is worth the potential risk of not having the passport.
Go to the official passport site (something like passport.gov) if you have not already and confirm they are saying 6-8 weeks.
They also say if you have applied and it's two weeks before you travel and no passport call them and they push it through.
2007-09-07 03:29:14 · answer #2 · answered by tamarack58 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You WILL need to expedite! I work at a County Clerk's office and we are telling everyone that it is taking 10-12 weeks. But where are you going? If you are flying to Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean, you will only need the tracking number that you will get after you apply. So that could save a lot of money. This new law was put in place (temporarily) because all of the agencies are so backed up after requiring a passport to go to CA or MX. Good luck!
2007-09-07 09:18:49 · answer #3 · answered by guitarstar85 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would definately expidite. The cost is minimal compared to the cost of having to change or cancel travel plans because of missing passports. Recently for some friends of mine, it came down to the wire and they applied 13 weeks ahead for their trip to Europe! Peace of mind is worth $240.00.
2007-09-07 03:29:13 · answer #4 · answered by gypsee8 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I applied for my passport back in April it took 12 weeks for it to come in with regular turn around time. So if you need it in 9 weeks I would pay the extra to get it expeditied and then stay on top of where it is in the process by contacting the passport office to make sure that you get them all back in time for your trip.
2007-09-07 04:26:53 · answer #5 · answered by Irish 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did a routine renewal requested the end of February and it took 12 weeks. While they claim there's been more people hired to process passports - sounds like you need to spend the extra money for expedited service.
2007-09-07 03:24:06 · answer #6 · answered by Orca 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I managed to get my passport in 4 weeks, but I had to drive all the way to Miami to get it printed. If you have any major cities around you, that might be helpful. I'm guessing you've already been to the courthouse and filed all the paperwork. But if you haven't, when you do, you should let them know you'll need a speedy delivery. THey usually have options for people who need it soon.
2007-09-07 03:25:04 · answer #7 · answered by Emily 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can tell them that you need it ASAP with proof of a trip. They will charge you quite a bit, but you will get it in like 10 days.
(American passports might be different)
2007-09-07 03:23:46 · answer #8 · answered by Megegie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it was me I would expedite, other wise I would just worry. Chances are it will get to you on time but its still risky so I would say expedite and put your mind at ease.
Have a great holiday!
x
2007-09-07 03:24:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to have a peace of mind, it would worth the $240.00!!
2007-09-07 03:24:16 · answer #10 · answered by Florida_zone10 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋