Passport app and dealing with original CON being folded in the mail - anyone else?

[Aur0ra 7]

Hey Folks,

Just some advice/caution here. I received my first US passport and received my CON back (the original). Unfortunately, they sent the original back in first-class envelope, which got slightly folded/curled in my mailbox. It doesn't appear to be permanently damaged, I have a heavy text book sitting on it now to flatten it out. I just really wish the department of state had sent it as a with a DO NOT BEND sticker on it. But there was no way to indicate that at the USPS application. Not sure if anyone else has had this problem...DOS needs to take better care of our CONs. 

[JeanneAdil 6,498]

we enclosed 8x11 manila self stamped and addressed so mine would not be folded

 

USPS is a independent department under the executive branch since 1971 and not part of the process for passport/its not under DOS

[Aur0ra 7]

1 hour ago, JeanneAdil said:

we enclosed 8x11 manila self stamped and addressed so mine would not be folded

 

USPS is a independent department under the executive branch since 1971 and not part of the process for passport/its not under DOS

 

I understand USPS isn't part of DOS.  That's not the point. DOS did put it in an 8 x 11 manila envelope, but the envelope got slightly curved in the mailbox like all of our other mail does that doesn't state "do not bend".  It's not a USPS issue.  It needs to have DO NOT BEND on it or it needs to be rigid, otherwise it gets folded creased and tossed around. But in order for it to say "DO NOT BEND", you have to pay for upgraded parcel service. I didn't know any of this. I would have gladly paid for the upgrade had I known, but that was not presented to me as an option. 

 

When I renewed my daughter's passport, her expired passport also came back first-class in a thick "do not fold" parcel envelope. Her expired passport didn't matter. Yet my flat thin CON did not receive the same treatment. I found out all of this after the fact. Would have been good to know before, hence why I am posting this for others. 

 

 

 

 

[JeanneAdil 6,498]

22 hours ago, Aur0ra said:

 

I understand USPS isn't part of DOS.  That's not the point. DOS did put it in an 8 x 11 manila envelope, but the envelope got slightly curved in the mailbox like all of our other mail does that doesn't state "do not bend".  It's not a USPS issue.  It needs to have DO NOT BEND on it or it needs to be rigid, otherwise it gets folded creased and tossed around. But in order for it to say "DO NOT BEND", you have to pay for upgraded parcel service. I didn't know any of this. I would have gladly paid for the upgrade had I known, but that was not presented to me as an option. 

 

When I renewed my daughter's passport, her expired passport also came back first-class in a thick "do not fold" parcel envelope. Her expired passport didn't matter. Yet my flat thin CON did not receive the same treatment. I found out all of this after the fact. Would have been good to know before, hence why I am posting this for others. 

 

 

 

 

how did DOS get it

passports are under control of USPS

USPS returns all documents in different mailings

[OldUser 6,636]

14 hours ago, JeanneAdil said:

how did DOS get it

passports are under control of USPS

USPS returns all documents in different mailings

I'd think DOS takes care of selecting envelopes and putting mail together. USPS simply collects mail and delivers it. Am I misunderstading the process?

 

I wouldn't think USPS collects stacks of unpackaged passports from DOS and then puts them in envelopes. 

 

Knowing how important the document is, DOS should have paid a little more to put certificates in better, larger envelopes and have sticker "Do not bend". But they decided to save money...

Edited June 11 by OldUser

[Laure&Colin 558]

I don't know where you live but my local postal workers couldn't care less about a "do not bend" sticker...