BajaNomad

Passport renewal turn around time

Howard - 1-30-2018 at 01:36 PM

FYI, I went directly to the Post Office at LAX and turned in my application with photos and a check for $110 on Friday, January 12th. Keep in mind that Monday June 15th was a holiday, MLK Day, so it got to the man probably Tuesday, January 16th.

Said screw it and crossed the border South without a passport and crossed Northbound at Lukeville this last Saturday. 2 Cars in front of me, handed my California drivers license and a photocopy of my soon to be expired passport and totally unlike experiences at Tecate and Otay, he was pleasant and didn't lecture or even question the situation. Maybe 1 minute at the booth and on my way.

Any way, got back yesterday and in my P.O. Box there was my new passport. Don't know how long it was there but even worse case scenario it took maybe 7 or 8 working days.

There you go.

David K - 1-30-2018 at 02:29 PM

Sounds great... You didn't need a new FMM crossing south, I presume?

Howard - 1-30-2018 at 02:32 PM

I don't need no stinking FMM card! :biggrin:

You presume correctly, I have a Mexican Residente Permenente. (Mexican Green Card)

[Edited on 1-30-2018 by Howard]

David K - 1-30-2018 at 02:52 PM

I figured you did it right, having property in Mexico... Bravo!

Hook - 1-30-2018 at 08:07 PM

I can see no reason to pay for the expedited passport anymore. The regular method is very fast. I got mine in 9 business days and I submitted it just before the Thanksgiving break, which I assume is TWO Federal holidays. With my state of residence, my passport was sent to Philadelphia. I had it forwarded to a third party in Arizona because I was unsure how long it would take and Arizona was on my route south to Sonora. My US residence is now in Idaho. I used the USPS next day service.

It does help to list a date on the application that is within two weeks of applying, I suspect.

EDIT: I should point out that this was a RENEWAL, which is probably a lot faster than a new application.

I really found it bizarre that they allowed sending the passport to a third party. Seems like a recipe for abuse. I dont think the receiving party even had to sign for it, but I am not sure.

[Edited on 1-31-2018 by Hook]

MMc - 1-30-2018 at 09:02 PM

My father's took 2 weeks without expedite fees, 3 weeks total with sending it back and forth.

sancho - 1-30-2018 at 09:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Howard  
I don't need no stinking FMM card!
You presume correctly, I have a Mexican Residente Permenente. (Mexican Green Card)









I like your unexpected response to that posted assumption. The
online renewals, I believe go to Philadelphia, which seem unnecessarily
out of the way. Do all local post offices that take 1st time
applications also take renewals?

AKgringo - 1-30-2018 at 10:35 PM

There were at least three post offices in Anchorage that processed passports, but the one that I submitted my original application, and the one that I submitted my renewal, have both quit processing them at all!

I don't know if this is a regional policy change, or if it is national, but things are in flux in my part of the world.

John Harper - 1-31-2018 at 11:04 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
There were at least three post offices in Anchorage that processed passports, but the one that I submitted my original application, and the one that I submitted my renewal, have both quit processing them at all!

I don't know if this is a regional policy change, or if it is national, but things are in flux in my part of the world.


Your state is getting sold back to Russia, you haven't heard?

John

TMW - 1-31-2018 at 02:02 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
There were at least three post offices in Anchorage that processed passports, but the one that I submitted my original application, and the one that I submitted my renewal, have both quit processing them at all!

I don't know if this is a regional policy change, or if it is national, but things are in flux in my part of the world.


Why is the post office doing anything special for a passport other than providing a trackable service as requested on the renewal form. I filled out the form and put it with my old passport and check in an envelope, labeled and sealed it. Took it to the post office and they added a tracking label and gave me the tracking number. Pretty simple. looks to me like any Post Office, UPS or Fed Ex office could do that.

David K - 1-31-2018 at 02:20 PM

I think the post office passport desk service is where they can process new passports or re-issue ones that have been long expired. With the need for a passport to fly internationally after 9-11. I think the post offices were made passport agencies due to the masses wanting/needing them. The regional passport offices couldn't take care of the workload, probably?

My previous passport was issued in 1985 when I traveled to Egypt and Europe. Haven't needed one until Mexico insists on one for an FMM, but we got them in 2006 or 7 (at the local post office) when the U.S. first said they would be needed to return to the U.S. and 10 years later, to renew them, that was a simple mailing process.

pacsur - 1-31-2018 at 03:00 PM

Turned in my renewal paperwork at the San Jose del Cabo consulate 16th of Nov right before thanksgiving, and picked it up Dec 7.

JoeJustJoe - 1-31-2018 at 03:15 PM

Yes, as others have said, if nothing is special about your renewal and you could wait two or three weeks, fill out the application online, and add a photo, then mail it out. It saves a trip to the post office.

For another $30 dollars, or the for combination price of $140 dollars, you could also get your RFID-enabled "passport card." One advantage of a passport card, you can use it at the "ready lanes" at the border, and for airline travel in the US, if California, doesn't soon release the new "REAL ID" that complies with the federal mandates.