Passport application for new citizens

[mr_citizen_2013 2]

Hello to all new US citizens!!

As my oath is scheduled next week, I am preparing to apply expedited passport and card from local post office. Post office told me all new applications are sent to Philadelphia office and routed to a passport agency. Was this true for your application? I am trying to verify if post office just told me BS over the phone. Also, was your application routed to a nearest passport agency for you? How long you had to wait before status update was available of DOS website?

[Darnell 8,478]

If you want anything expedited, I strongly suggest you go to an actual passport office. If that means a drive, so be it.

so - oath ceremony on Monday - get yer documents from them, drive to passport ofice city, and apply and get passport on Tuesday (for example). Sure - it means 2 days of not working or spending time with your family but it getting the USA passport is the important bit for you - you should refactor your plan and include a drive.

Mucking about with a post office is abysmal - I suggest you not do that, at all, based on your need to get a USA Passport quickly.

One final bit - you'll need an appointment to get in to the passport office - so set that up, nowish.

Edited July 14, 2013 by Darnell

[Kolewenoik31 57]

Hello to all new US citizens!!

As my oath is scheduled next week, I am preparing to apply expedited passport and card from local post office. Post office told me all new applications are sent to Philadelphia office and routed to a passport agency. Was this true for your application? I am trying to verify if post office just told me BS over the phone. Also, was your application routed to a nearest passport agency for you? How long you had to wait before status update was available of DOS website?

Op- are you a US citizen asking the question or new to the USA asking the question?

[NickD 203]

Wife was in a big hurry to get her US passport, we paid for expedient service in Wisconsin, but of all things, it was sent to the New Orleans office right after Katrina. No rush for my stepdaughter, just paid the lowest fee, but she received her US passport much sooner because it was sent to the Chicago office.

No telling which office they will send your application to from our experience. Either way, their passports came in a USPS cardboard overnight envelop they had to sign for. the US certificate you have to pay 400 bucks for came in a plain brown envelop with an untraceable first class stamp. Didn't even say, Do Not Bend.

To apply in person, can walk in and out with your certificate, but must have a valid plane ticket that's due within two weeks. All this stuff in in the DOS website.

[Darnell 8,478]

if speed is important, dealing with any 'passport office' at a post office is abysmal - as passports are not issued at the post office.

Want speed? Go to a passport office instead.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I'm sure it depends which state you originate from in the first place. I would say pay for expedited if that's what you want and don't worry about which office it's sent to. As long as you get it back in the designated timeframe, it's all good. Mine was less than 10 days (maybe 7...can't remember now)and I paid for expedited and just did it through the good old post office.

[John9981 9]

I'm in Wisconsin, mine went to HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, AR. took 3 weeks door-to-door, regular processing.

[Autumnal 25]

Ha! Hot Springs even has a passport facility?

[Darnell 8,478]

Ya, that federal enclave there gets re-purposed, every 20 years or so. why give up the real-estate? it's already owned by the feds

[John9981 9]

Ha! Hot Springs even has a passport facility?

Yup!

http://travel.state.gov/passport/npic/agencies/agencies_5151.html

In addition, the following regional passport agencies do not require any travel plans to apply (an appointment and the Expedite Fee are still required to apply):

Arkansas Passport Agency

Buffalo Passport Agency

Colorado Passport Agency

Detroit Passport Agency

El Paso Passport Agency

Honolulu Passport Agency

Minneapolis Passport Agency

San Diego Passport Agency

Seattle Passport Agency

Vermont Passport Agency

Edited July 16, 2013 by chox99