how long did it take you to get your US passport? - Page 2 - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

lemlern · 03-03-2007, 10:46 AM

Mine took about 2 months, but they say allow up to 3. Since Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans passport office has not been up and running, which is why it is taking so long... Plus Canada and Mexico now require passports so eveyrone is running to get one.

**travelpunk** · 03-03-2007, 01:44 PM

I've done that in Tiajuana, not lately though. But I know they get sooo many students from San Diego crossing over every weekend that they just know by the sound of their voices who is American. I think if there is any question whatsoever about a person crossing the border, they will pull you over.

It's kind of like a store clerk who card's people when they buy liquor or a bouncer at a night club. Do they really need to card an obviously "over 50" person? Cuz I've seen that happen before.

But I hear what you're saying

**Elizabeth** · 03-05-2007, 08:09 PM

well i got a letter in the mail today from the passport office

I only have a learner permit as ID. Before I went to the passport office I read the US Dept of State website to the very letter. It states that a learner permit is not an acceptable form of ID, so in leiu of that you need to bring a personal witness and fill out a certain form. So I had my witness with me and her proof of identity but the guy who helped me with my app was like "oh no a learner permit is fine"

OK so today at 2:30 I check the mail expecting my passport but I get this letter that says please send us another form of ID. Uh oh. So I go back to the same guy at the passport office with my witness and he's like totally perplexed, even though I insisted ij the first place. But we get the form filled out and we made it to the post office by 5 to send it priority mail. Hopefully it will be here in time!

**florencia9699** · 03-05-2007, 08:16 PM

Good luck with that!! Government employees are all the same, no matter what country they are from!! (well.. all except m!

)

**lost in texas** · 03-05-2007, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by florencia9699

Government employees are all the same, no matter what country they are from!! (well.. all except m!

)

Yes they are, and don't even try to exclude yourself!

I could never understand it until I became one for a while, then it was perfectly clear: endless supply of work + little motivation = the level of service we've all come to expect. Of course there are always exceptions, the people at my local post office are unusually efficient and helpful!

alpinesumo · 03-18-2007, 09:20 PM

i paid the 60 for expedited service, they told me it could still be 6 weeks, and i got mine inside of 3! they were even so kind as to mail me the birth certificate and spare photo i forgot at the post office. good times.

**Delaney** · 03-19-2007, 11:21 AM

That is a good sign alpine! Mine only took about a month, normal service. That was a year or 2 ago though. Lizz keep us posted, hope it comes it time!

**blinkchick2134** · 03-19-2007, 11:35 AM

There was an article in our local paper here that the passport agencies are backed up so much that even those who ordered their's express are having to wait the normal amount for a regular-speed passport processing.

My boyfriend applied for his the first week of February and we haven't recieved it yet, but we've got until June so no rush at the moment

Here's a small article on the delay: http://www.syracuse.com/articles/new...430.xml&coll=1

alpinesumo · 03-19-2007, 08:41 PM

that's weird....wonder if i just somehow lucked out? i'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

**DC_Jessica** · 03-21-2007, 08:25 AM

I'm about to submit my forms to a passport and visa company called International Visa Service.

Their website is here:
http://www.ivsdc.com/

So far it seems legit, and they're promising me an answer/passport in 5 business days. I'll update when I get my passport back!

**DC_Jessica** · 03-30-2007, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC_Jessica

I'm about to submit my forms to a passport and visa company called International Visa Service.

Their website is here:
http://www.ivsdc.com/

So far it seems legit, and they're promising me an answer/passport in 5 business days. I'll update when I get my passport back!

Such a shady storefront - I didn't expect a boutique or anything, but they have a bathroom that they use as a "smoking lounge." I gave them my stuff Friday at 4pm, and I got a call the following Thursday at around 5:45 saying I could come get it. Just picked it up, and it's actually a pretty slick handoff. As far as I know my identity hasn't been used to commit securities fraud and/or Nigerian inheritance scams. And now I can travel unfettered!!!

rk260395 · 04-04-2007, 01:32 PM

For anyone wondering about processing times I got my US Passport on Monday. I applied on 2/2/07 with normal service so it took a full 2 months. That was right around when the new North American travel rules took effect so it might be going faster.

Also I had been watching my app here:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get...atus_2567.html

It kept telling me April 1st and apparantly it wasn't lying.

xanthuos · 04-05-2007, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rk260395

For anyone wondering about processing times I got my US Passport on Monday. I applied on 2/2/07 with normal service so it took a full 2 months. That was right around when the new North American travel rules took effect so it might be going faster.

I believe it's the opposite - it's taking longer and longer. Now, the expected time is within 10 weeks - probably due to go up to 12 weeks with people having summer travel coming up.

Wayner · 04-07-2007, 07:10 PM

I just got mine on Thursday and I applied for it on Feb 3rd so it took about 8.5 weeks. I didn't select any special expedited service either.

**blinkchick2134** · 04-07-2007, 07:26 PM

My boyfriend got his Wednesday, he applied Feb 6th. Right on time!

davidd · 04-09-2007, 05:42 AM

Just saw this on another forum thats not travel related obviously

**raoulduke** · 04-09-2007, 05:51 AM

That's hilarious.

**TheJake** · 04-14-2007, 02:00 PM

My folks and little brother all applied to get one in early february and they still have not come yet.

BigRedFan · 04-22-2007, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidd

Just saw this on another forum thats not travel related obviously

ot?

**Dig** · 04-25-2007, 01:40 PM

I applied for express service on 3/26/07 and they came in the mail today 4/25/07. Hope that helps. The tracking service only started for me less then a week ago. My fiancee's started tracking 2-1/2 weeks ago. They arrived the same day. The passports came right on time.

Hope this helps the anxiety!