US Passport worries...

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

So, I just sent off all my stuff for my passport expedited (with overnight delivery both ways).

Stupid me forgot that Monday is a National holiday. So it will arrive and begin processing on Tuesday.

Now, I'm going to see Craig on Saturday, October 21st, so that's exactly two weeks from tomorrow. Considering they said that expedited service gets you your passport WITHIN two weeks, I figured arriving on Saturday and being ready to be processed on Monday would work. But now that it's not even arriving until Tuesday, I'm terrified.

Why are you so terrified, you ask? You are just going to Canada, just use your birth certificate!

Well, my only ceritifed copy of my birth certificate is WITH the passport application. I had ordered new copies of my certificate from vitalchek.com (to avoid this exact problem) about a week ago, but they have a 10-30 day processing time on them.

So, I have two questions.

1. Has anyone done expedited service for a U.S. Passport? Is it right at two weeks? Or is that more the "upper limit"? The Post Office lady stamped EXPEDITED all over it with a big red stamp, so it'll be hard to miss.

2. Has anyone from Kentucky gone and GOTTEN a birth certificate same day? I currently work in the city I was born, and could very easily make a trip to the clerk's office on my lunch break. I just wonder if they'll give me a copy? Especially if I don't have any proof (other than my driver's license) of who I am.

I'm an idiot.

Cass (bebop the great)

[MrsWhizz 0]

I used the expedited service in Boston and had it within 5 days.

Good Luck, Cass!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

So, I just sent off all my stuff for my passport expedited (with overnight delivery both ways).

Stupid me forgot that Monday is a National holiday. So it will arrive and begin processing on Tuesday.

Now, I'm going to see Craig on Saturday, October 21st, so that's exactly two weeks from tomorrow. Considering they said that expedited service gets you your passport WITHIN two weeks, I figured arriving on Saturday and being ready to be processed on Monday would work. But now that it's not even arriving until Tuesday, I'm terrified.

Why are you so terrified, you ask? You are just going to Canada, just use your birth certificate!

Well, my only ceritifed copy of my birth certificate is WITH the passport application. I had ordered new copies of my certificate from vitalchek.com (to avoid this exact problem) about a week ago, but they have a 10-30 day processing time on them.

So, I have two questions.

1. Has anyone done expedited service for a U.S. Passport? Is it right at two weeks? Or is that more the "upper limit"? The Post Office lady stamped EXPEDITED all over it with a big red stamp, so it'll be hard to miss.

2. Has anyone from Kentucky gone and GOTTEN a birth certificate same day? I currently work in the city I was born, and could very easily make a trip to the clerk's office on my lunch break. I just wonder if they'll give me a copy? Especially if I don't have any proof (other than my driver's license) of who I am.

I'm an idiot.

Cass (bebop the great)

1. I've used expedited service (last year, for my FIRST US passport); fortnight is "upper limit". I sent out the app on 2005/4/29 and received the passport by 2005/5/6 (I needed to fly out to India 2005/5/11 and could not easily rebook to Pacific Route through Vancouver, where I could possibly have used my Naturalisation Certificate at the PFI--the so-called other option of Atlantic-route through Pearson would have been a sure-fire disaster).

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

You are my hero. THANK YOU.

I hope the same is true and there isn't too big of a rush for passports with the new regulations for Canada/Mexico crossings.

Cass (bebop the great)

I used the expedited service in Boston and had it within 5 days.

Good Luck, Cass!

[Carol&Marc 0]

So, I just sent off all my stuff for my passport expedited (with overnight delivery both ways).

Stupid me forgot that Monday is a National holiday. So it will arrive and begin processing on Tuesday.

Now, I'm going to see Craig on Saturday, October 21st, so that's exactly two weeks from tomorrow. Considering they said that expedited service gets you your passport WITHIN two weeks, I figured arriving on Saturday and being ready to be processed on Monday would work. But now that it's not even arriving until Tuesday, I'm terrified.

Why are you so terrified, you ask? You are just going to Canada, just use your birth certificate!

Well, my only ceritifed copy of my birth certificate is WITH the passport application. I had ordered new copies of my certificate from vitalchek.com (to avoid this exact problem) about a week ago, but they have a 10-30 day processing time on them.

So, I have two questions.

1. Has anyone done expedited service for a U.S. Passport? Is it right at two weeks? Or is that more the "upper limit"? The Post Office lady stamped EXPEDITED all over it with a big red stamp, so it'll be hard to miss.

2. Has anyone from Kentucky gone and GOTTEN a birth certificate same day? I currently work in the city I was born, and could very easily make a trip to the clerk's office on my lunch break. I just wonder if they'll give me a copy? Especially if I don't have any proof (other than my driver's license) of who I am.

I'm an idiot.

Cass (bebop the great)

I think you might be screwed! I beleive the passport app. will be sent expedited but will take the usual time to process mine took about 3 to 5 weeks! hope im wrong!

thank goodness in wrong

Edited October 6, 2006 by Carol&Marc

[CarolineM 0]

Mine was normal processing...with a window of 4-6 weeks

got it in 4 so they're on the LOW end of their ranges! That's postive I think.

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

Uh?

It was sent Express Mail, so it'll get and arrive back to me overnight.

And I paid for expedited service with the U.S. Department of State, where they say on their website that the extra $60 gets you processing within 2 weeks?

After you apply - You will receive your passport:Ordinarily, if you paid additionally for expedited service and two-way overnight delivery within about 2 weeks

Please tell me I'm reading this right here?

Cass (bebop the great)

I think you might be screwed! I beleive the passport app. will be sent expedited but will take the usual time to process mine took about 3 to 5 weeks! hope im wrong!

Edited October 6, 2006 by bebop + rocksteady

[Carol&Marc 0]

Uh?

It was sent Express Mail, so it'll get and arrive back to me overnight.

And I paid for expedited service with the U.S. Department of State, where they say on their website that the extra $60 gets you processing within 2 weeks?

After you apply - You will receive your passport:Ordinarily, if you paid additionally for expedited service and two-way overnight delivery within about 2 weeks

Please tell me I'm reading this right here?

Cass (bebop the great)

I think you might be screwed! I beleive the passport app. will be sent expedited but will take the usual time to process mine took about 3 to 5 weeks! hope im wrong!

you might try calling!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

You are my hero. THANK YOU.

I hope the same is true and there isn't too big of a rush for passports with the new regulations for Canada/Mexico crossings.

Cass (bebop the great)

Now what's the regulation from the Canada side? Do I need to show a passport or will my (Canadian) citizenship card still be ok?

(obviously, I can't show that card for re-entry into US; the passport would be preferred anyway over the naturalisation certificate simply due to size).

Edited October 6, 2006 by CherryXS

[Savanphil 3]

If you have you travel docs (tickets), you can get your birth certificate the same day in PA...You will have to go to you state building in your State. My mother had her orginal bith Cert. and she thought it was fine, when she picked up her tix, they told her it MUST have a raised seal, in the 60's they did not raise seals on docs yet. She was able to go to the state building and get a New one same day with no problems.

Edited October 6, 2006 by Savanphil

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

Truthfully, I have no idea.

I know that Craig and his parents, who cross the border just about every week are going ahead and getting their passports because they feel that even if Canada hasn't implimented this, they will follow the U.S.'s lead very quickly.

Cass (bebop the great)

Now what's the regulation from the Canada side? Do I need to show a passport or will my (Canadian) citizenship card still be ok?

(obviously, I can't show that card for re-entry into US; the passport would be preferred anyway over the naturalisation certificate simply due to size).

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Also another question is how it will affect dual Canuck-Yanks (such as myself). If Canada "follows the US lead", will I need to show my Canuck passport (the current one will be expiring soon, but my Yank one is good till 2015).

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

Yeah, that's a really good question.

I know a lot of Craig's friends are dual-citizens and have a passport for neither because they've always just crossed back and forth with their BC. I guess you'll just need to keep both passports current? Which sucks?

I have no idea really? Craig is planning on just sticking at the PR level.

Cass (bebop the great)

Also another question is how it will affect dual Canuck-Yanks (such as myself). If Canada "follows the US lead", will I need to show my Canuck passport (the current one will be expiring soon, but my Yank one is good till 2015).

CherryXS — Apparently it's a continent wide initiative:

Q. What is the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative?

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will require all travelers to and from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda to present a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States. The goal is to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and legitimate international travelers.

Q. Who will the travel initiative affect?

Under this proposed rule, U.S. citizens would need a passport (or Merchant Mariner Document or Air NEXUS card) to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, South and Central America, and the Caribbean (the Western Hemisphere) at airports or seaports.

Under this proposed rule, citizens of Mexico, Canada, and Bermuda would now have to have a passport (or if they are Canadian, an Air NEXUS card) when entering the United States by air or sea.

Hope this helps!

Cass (bebop the great)

[rebeccajo 14]

Are you flying or driving?

If you don't have an airline ticket on the line here, then I think the worst that could happen is you might not be able to drive up there for another week later than you planned.

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

Flying.

It's an 18 hour drive.

Plus, I start a new job the week after. Hrmp.

But thanks for the idea.

Cass (bebop the great)

Are you flying or driving?

If you don't have an airline ticket on the line here, then I think the worst that could happen is you might not be able to drive up there for another week later than you planned.