A few weeks ago we applied for my son’s first passport on short notice prior to a trip. Lo and behold it returned less than four weeks later. Here’s how we processed the application.
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My Son’s First Passport
My infant son is ready to start seeing the world with us and it was time to get his passport… fast. As this was his first passport, we applied in person at a passport acceptance facility. We were able to make an appointment (including them shooting his photos) with one day’s notice.
When applying for a passport, there are a few different sections applicants fall in. For those who already have a valid passport or within a short window following its expiration, travelers can apply online, in person or renewed by mail. The timeline for our expedited passport from submission to receipt was 27 days total. However, we followed an expensive and specific plan to get him ready for international travel.
Our Methodology
This is not the cheapest method, but for those who want to do it themselves, this is the process to beat the quoted expedited passport wait times by double, if not triple the quoted 7-13 weeks. Processing time, which does not include mailing or delivery time, the Department of State advises can add a further 1-2 weeks.
- Scheduling an appointment at an approved passport agency or center.
- In our case it was a separate part of the building on the back of a post office.
- Appointments were available within a few days of completing the application.
- Adding the $15 option to have the passport office take the photos.
- Yes we could take them at home, but we have tried and failed. Taking them at home if not done correctly could delay or cause a rejection of his application.
- We could have taken them slightly cheaper at a CVS or Walgreens, however, this would require sitting and he wasn’t big enough to sit on his own. Holding him upright could be problematic as well.
- The price difference isn’t enough to justify adding a second appointment to the list, just do it at the same time taken by someone who takes them for this one purpose and does so all day every day.
- We checked over the application separately from each other (I filled it out, proofread it, my wife followed suit) and then the passport official did as well. Having it right when we walked in the door was helpful.
- We paid for fast postage with 1-2 day delivery services on both ends of the transaction, the included return envelope sent via tracked mail (we got an alert) and the same quick postage.
- We chose the passport book though they send the passport cards via first class mail and I don’t believe you have another option for that.
- For us (about $28.75 in outbound same day signature verified, and $20 express returned) it was worth it because it told us not only that his passport was issued but that it was on its way back to us. As it’s his first passport, it also has his original birth certificate with it, so knowing where those two items are at all times is well worth the extra $48.75.
- We paid an expediting fee of $60 on top of his youth passport fee of $100 for the passport book.
- This got us to the shorter time frame to start and with the other methods, it ensured a quick return to us.
- We indicated future travel longer than 14 days but shorter than a month out. In fairness, it did not arrive before the date we put on the application for future travel and we were unable to take that trip, but it was a lofty 18-day turn around and unreasonable given the current backlog.
- You can pay by both check or money order, but it could take a couple of days for a check to clear in theory and United States Post Offices sell money orders for less than a dollar. I could have added this to ensure the fastest possible turnaround, but check did not delay it in our experience.
- These options may not be available to you if you’re abroad and using an embassy or consulate to process your passport.
Conclusion
Overall, we were really happy with our turn time and it was well worth the extra money and effort to make sure his documents returned to us quickly and accurately. There are passport services that can beat even this service, but they charge a fee in excess what we were able to do ourselves and it was not for an emergency situation.
What do you think? Have you gotten a passport back that quickly?
My question is, how on earth did you manage to get an appointment at a post office? When I got my son’s passport, there was literally not a single appointment available within the 4-week window at any post office within a 100 mile radius of where we live. Not even at the massive main regional post office in Dallas. Is there a hidden option you have to check that opens up additional appointments for expedited applications? Fortunately, the county clerk’s office in Dallas County operates an acceptance facility and had slots available, and we weren’t in a hurry. But actually getting an appointment to drop off the application seems to be the biggest hindrance.
Kind of echoing the previous comment, may we know where it was that you had such wonderful service?
It has been absolutely disgusting to get a new passport in the US. It took us 6 weeks to get an appointment at the USPS and the laziness of their people is unreal. Then we were given the option to go the normal route and between 10 to 12 weeks or you can pay extra to get it around 8 to 10 weeks. It doesn’t take this long in a third world country.
Wait so your secret formula is to pay for expedited processing and overnight delivery? Not exactly groundbreaking stuff.
The whole process is extortion at every level! And the time lines are BS.
Glad it work. Sad day when waiting 4 weeks is considered exceptional.
I expect the check probably cleared quickly because these transactions are done via 24 hour inter-bank computer systems. I use my bank app to deposit checks and they usually take less than an hour to clear and then I’m instructed it’s ok to destroy the paper check. If you’re using a check with your own name, or as the parent of a child, and with an American bank, the USG probably knows it’s pretty good and delay time will be minimal.
How is check/M.O. considered a normal way to pay in 2023. Thats real dumm.
If you went in person to a passport center why did you have to pay for outbound postage?
Four weeks seems long to wait for your passports. We live in Norway and applied for new passports for our three kids who are Norwegian. We did not pay for expedited processing, but mentioned to the officer that we had a flight in about four weeks time and she made a note of it. We applied on a Monday morning and three new passport were in our mail box on Thursday…
Sure wish my RENEWAL of my Global Entry would be approved. Applied last December 1, 2022. Renewal fee immediately deducted. Still waiting 9 months later. Says it’s “processing”.
I outlined some of the process here (https://liveandletsfly.com/traveler-cheat-code-appointment-scanner-for-global-entry/) to grab an appointment but it sounds like it’s time to call a congressman.
On 3 occasions since 1999 and living in Manhattan, I have renewed my passport within 6-48 hours…most recently this past January.