Feedback, experiences, timelines, tips and useful information from people that have recently been through the US passport application process.
1st Adult Passport
Type of Application:
First U.S Adult Passport
Application Date:
2023-02-03
Received Date:
2023-03-22
Application Method:
Paper Application
Passport Agency:
I do not know
Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Application Date:
2023-01-27
Received Date:
2023-03-22
Application Method:
Online Application
Passport Agency:
I do not know
Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Optional Comments:
Call your congressman when they have blown past your deadline. And do not renew online, or you’ll have stricter rules and unfeasible options because you did.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Application Date:
2023-02-28
Received Date:
2023-03-08
Application Method:
Online Application
Passport Agency:
I do not know
Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Application Date:
2022-12-29
Received Date:
2023-03-13
Application Method:
Online Application
Passport Agency:
I do not know
Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Optional Comments:
When I entered the application online in Dec, the wait time for regular was 5 to 7 weeks so I choose not to expedite. I got it during the 9th week after I added expedited shipping and enlisted my congressman to help.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Application Date:
2023-01-26
Received Date:
2023-03-22
Application Method:
Online Application
Passport Agency:
I do not know
Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Optional Comments:
The process was easy. However, I didn’t hear anything for several weeks so I started to get nervous about upcoming travel. On March 10, 2023, I upgraded to expedited and added the express shipping. My status changed the next week and I received my passport on March 20, 2023.
Expedited Service
Type of Application:
Expedited Service
Application Date:
2023-02-28
Received Date:
2023-03-07
Application Method:
Paper Application
Passport Agency:
I do not know
Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Expedited Service
Application Date:
2023-02-16
Received Date:
2023-03-18
Application Method:
Paper Application
Passport Agency:
Arkansas Passport Center
Experience:
3 Star – Average
Optional Comments:
First time application for a newborn. Had travel plans 3/23 so opted to expedite (both expedite application & mailing) – post office appointment on 2/16. 5-7 weeks was the announced wait times but the lady at the post office told us it was more like 3-5.
First checked online around 3/5, it said ‘Application received 2/21’ and ‘In Process’. No updates for more than two weeks. Starting 3/14 I called the helpline daily to see if there were in person appointments, there weren’t other than San Juan and Honolulu (unhelpful when you live in NY and because first time minor applications require the presence of both parents and the minor). On 3/16 I decided to mail our senator to see if that would help. On 3/17 we got an update the application was complete, then later in the day that it shipped, and shortly after seeing that we heard back from our senator’s office that they had just forwarded our request (so doesn’t seem to have been related to complaining to the senator – though had we known it was a thing sooner we might have tried that a week earlier). Received in the mail the next day on 3/18 (in time for our travel).
Disappointing/average experience because our last 3 passport applications in 2017, 2019 and 2020 took about 2-3 weeks without paying for expedited, and here it cut things very close at 4.5 weeks (despite expedited) when we had travel 3 business days after we received it. The whole process should be a lot more automated and shouldn’t take longer 5 years later when there’s better technology for everything.
Type of Application:
Expedited Service
Application Date:
2023-02-08
Received Date:
2023-03-21
Application Method:
Paper Application
Passport Agency:
I do not know
Experience:
3 Star – Average
Type of Application:
Expedited Service
Application Date:
2023-02-17
Received Date:
2023-03-22
Application Method:
Paper Application
Passport Agency:
Arkansas Passport Center
Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Type of Application:
Expedited Service
Application Date:
2023-02-17
Received Date:
2023-03-22
Application Method:
Paper Application
Passport Agency:
Philadelphia Passport Agency
Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Optional Comments:
The timing changed from “3-5 weeks” for expedited to “5-7 weeks” in the time that it took them to receive my application. Now I’m stressed waiting on my kids’ renewals, after our in-person appointment had to be rescheduled after the USPS staffer called in sick the day of our appointment and no one else could help us.
Type of Application:
Expedited Service
Application Date:
2023-02-28
Received Date:
2023-03-07
Application Method:
Paper Application
Passport Agency:
I do not know
Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
Expedited Service
Application Date:
2023-02-28
Received Date:
2023-03-22
Application Method:
Paper Application
Passport Agency:
I do not know
Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Type of Application:
Expedited Service
Application Date:
2023-02-08
Received Date:
2023-03-22
Application Method:
Paper Application
Passport Agency:
National Passport Center
Experience:
3 Star – Average
Optional Comments:
Expedited via courier service (will not do that again unless it’s a dire situation). Sent in the mail February 8th and received it March 22nd. The only thing that was stressful was figuring out the status tracker. It went from in process to not available to approved. I never got the “shipped” status before it arrived.
Tips:
If you go from “in process” to “not available”, put a space between the letters. For those of us that are Mc, Mac, De, etc, the space between these letters will be more accurate.
The NPIC hotline is unreliable. If you have questions/concerns/need advice, contact your U.S. congressperson
Unless it is a dire situation, don’t use a courier agency. Should you choose to do so, look at the fine print regarding fees and processing.
We have a very small favour to ask………….
We really hope this information is helpful to you and reduces stress whilst you are waiting for you passport. If you are able to make a small donation for the cost of a coffee it really helps us to maintain the site and continue to make improvements for future passport applicants.
First Child Passport (Under 16)
Type of Application:
First Child Passport (Under 16)
Application Date:
2023-02-28
Received Date:
2023-03-21
Application Method:
Paper Application
Passport Agency:
Arkansas Passport Center
Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Optional Comments:
Submitted a paper application in New Jersey for routine process child passport renewal on 02/28/2023.
Application received on 03/03/2023, the locator number started with 10, so the Dept of State website says it’s Boston Passport Agency. When the passport actually shipped out, the tracking showed it came from Hot Springs, AR. That means it was processed at Arkansas Passport Agency.
On 03/13/2023 I tried calling the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778. The number was either busy or the automated system said the Center is too busy on Mondays and in the mornings, asked to call later and dropped the call.
I called again on 03/14/2023. The automated system said the expected waiting time was over 2.5 hrs, and I was getting ready to spend long hours on hold. However, after about 10-15 min on hold the system prompted to enter my phone number for a call back from representative. A representative called back exactly 1 min! later, and I asked to upgrade my application to the expedited service ($60) with Express delivery ($19.53).
The credit card was charged on 03/16/2023 and the service shown upgraded to expedited.
On 03/17/2023 the status changed to shipped with a tracking number provided.
Passport received in NJ on 03/21/2023.
We are happy and grateful for how the system works. I was worried the passport would not be ready on time for our scheduled spring break travel in April.
Good luck everyone!
Type of Application:
First Child Passport (Under 16)
Application Date:
2023-02-10
Received Date:
2023-03-21
Application Method:
Paper Application
Passport Agency:
I do not know
Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Optional Comments:
I still haven’t received passport as of 3/21/23 and expected international travel plans on 4/3/23. I even planned for the over estimate of expedited services by USPS appointment on 2/10/23. Later notified the clock starts when its received (which was on 3/4/23); so I lost 3 weeks of time from when it was sent from USPS appointment, payment processed to US Dept of State “receiving the application.”
2/10/23 – mailed application with USPS appointment
2/15/23 – Passport Services Payment was processed for expedited servicing ($179.53)
2/15-23 – 3/4/23: Nothing/no updates. Googled US Department of State website to check status. It listed a number to call (Call 1-877-487-277), but no answer. It goes to an automated voicemail that says we’re unable to answer your call at this time and to “call back later.” I have tried calling back multiple times a day every day and still no answer.
3/4/23 – date US Dept of State received my application and marked “In Process.”
3/20/23 – US Dept of State website says if 2 weeks from expected travel date and still no passport, to call the number (Call 1-877-487-277), but still no answer and unable to get a status update.
3/21/23 – tried calling the number on the website again and no answer all the way until 9:30 PM EST. Who can I call for an update? Emailed congressman for help and update.
Type of Application:
First Child Passport (Under 16)
Application Date:
2023-01-28
Received Date:
2023-02-02
Application Method:
Paper Application
Passport Agency:
I do not know
Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Optional Comments:
Portsmouth NH passport agency – not listed in dropdown
Type of Application:
First Child Passport (Under 16)
Application Date:
2023-01-31
Received Date:
2023-03-21
Application Method:
Paper Application
Passport Agency:
Detroit Passport Agency
Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Type of Application:
First Child Passport (Under 16)
Application Date:
2023-02-03
Received Date:
2023-03-22
Application Method:
Paper Application
Passport Agency:
I do not know
Experience:
4 Star – Easy
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