Passports!!! What a joke!

[hawgty55]

Well yall my family are traveling or not traveling to mexico in less than 10 days and our kids passport’s haven’t arrived. Its crazy but the system is a disaster. Filed for them 16 weeks ago and still nothing! Can’t believe the way the process works and they do have a way you can go to the office last minute but of course there aren’t any available appointments! So if anyone has a connection or contact im in need!

 

[Shady]

We had a hard time getting an appointment locally for our kids earlier this year. I happened to look at San Lui Obispo, as we were going to be there for a camping trip, they had tons of appointments. Not sure if they do expedited in San Luis Obispo, but they have appointments available next week.

 

[Swain]

Well yall my family are traveling or not traveling to mexico in less than 10 days and our kids passport’s haven’t arrived. Its crazy but the system is a disaster. Filed for them 16 weeks ago and still nothing! Can’t believe the way the process works and they do have a way you can go to the office last minute but of course there aren’t any available appointments! So if anyone has a connection or contact im in need!

Has the check been cleared yet? usually they ship them back pretty quick when the money clears.

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[Mr. C]

Ok. Sorry I have to.


I thought we have open boarders these days.
You might have to walk a little. But hell come on in


On a serious note. I hope you get it figured out. And I thought Norwalk had walk in availability

 

[hawgty55]

We had a hard time getting an appointment locally for our kids earlier this year. I happened to look at San Lui Obispo, as we were going to be there for a camping trip, they had tons of appointments. Not sure if they do expedited in San Luis Obispo, but they have appointments available next week.

Where do i find that

 

[LHC Kirby]

Contact your Senator and ask for help. I have heard of plenty of great responses, and no news of it failed when they made the contact. Call and email them.

 

[hawgty55]

Ok. Sorry I have to.


I thought we have open boarders these days.
You might have to walk a little. But hell come on in


On a serious note. I hope you get it figured out. And I thought Norwalk had walk in availability

How do i find out availability. State department says there arent any in the country

 

[Mr. C]

How do i find out availability. State department says there arent any in the country

That I do not know. I just know at one time my in-laws went down to Norwalk and walked in. Not sure if they took pity on a couple of late 80 year olds but they saw them that day after an hour or so wait.
I wish I could tell who or what dept they went to.

 

[hawgty55]

We need an appointment with the state. The services above are for people who are submitting. There can only be one application submitted at a time

 

[mjc]

We need an appointment with the state. The services above are for people who are submitting. There can only be one application submitted at a time

OK per my friend who had this problem a year or so ago. On your receipt type paper you got when you applied there is a number that you should be able to go to passport website and see the status of the passports. If they are looking for something that is wrong or missing then you can go in but(the big but) you can not go in until 4 days before you leave and they need proof you are really going somewhere out of the country. Driving there is not valid proof. He was going and had to go to Tucson from Havasu to fix his.

 

[C-2]

That I do not know. I just know at one time my in-laws went down to Norwalk and walked in. Not sure if they took pity on a couple of late 80 year olds but they saw them that day after an hour or so wait.
I wish I could tell who or what dept they went to.

I initially thought taht too, but I think they stopped offering that service.

It was tied to getting a certified copy of a birth certificate on a same-day basis; as the normal process for obtaining a birth certificate is you order it in person but they still mail it to you. I used to see lines for that service, but the last time I was there (La County Recorder/Norwalk), the window was closed.

-----------

I ordered my first ever passport from the Norco Post Office in December 2022; it came by mail February 2023.

Wifey had to renew hers, which at the time, they required she do it online. Hers did not come until April 2023. I noticed the online system is opened and then closed, and then they have another go at it - they open it up, then shut it down again. Not sure what's happening, other than it's screwed up.

 

[BabyRay]

I renewed mine earlier this year, using their online system. It was taking forever, with the status simply showing “order received” or some such, so I paid the expediting fee. It was shipped the next day. Coincidence? I doubt it.

 

[whiteworks]

Wife and I just renewed ours, expedited was 9 weeks, I believe with 2 day express mail and certified mail on the way in it was close to $500.00

I think you can go into LA and get one on the spot, but you have to be traveling within 10 days or something and they will charge you a pretty good clip.

A few years ago my wife lost her passport in London during the weekend she had to go to the embassy on Monday and it she was on a plane out that night.

 

[DaveH]

friend of mine needed a passport, ended up flying from vegas to seattle for a service that could get it done in one day.

 

[JJK94]

Where are you going. Just looked yesterday and Cabo Airport accepts Birth Certificates

 

[YeahYeah01]

Did you do standard or expedited? And did you put your travel dates in?

We just did our for a trip and we got our back pretty fast. Mailed on April 10 and got them back end of May I think.

The only weird thing is they sent my wife's to her work and we have copies of we sent, for sure did not list that our mailing or residence.

 

[hawgty55]

Contact your Senator and ask for help. I have heard of plenty of great responses, and no news of it failed when they made the contact. Call and email them.

 

[hawgty55]

Did you do standard or expedited? And did you put your travel dates in?

We just did our for a trip and we got our back pretty fast. Mailed on April 10 and got them back end of May I think.

The only weird thing is they sent my wife's to her work and we have copies of we sent, for sure did not list that our mailing or residence.

Yes on the travel dates standard not thinking it would take 16weeks! Wife and i have ours and the kids expire after 5 years or 16 years of age and are not renewable.

 

[hawgty55]

Where are you going. Just looked yesterday and Cabo Airport accepts Birth Certificates

Well regardless of that. The damn passport people have the damn birth certificates! Also im guessing the good ol usofA would say otherwise. O the irony!

 

[YeahYeah01]

Yes on the travel dates standard not thinking it would take 16weeks! Wife and i have ours and the kids expire after 5 years or 16 years of age and are not renewable.

Ya I would have done the same thing. That's ridiculous. You shouldn't have to pay expedite with that much lead time.

Hope you get them in time!!!

 

[Outdrive1]

Well regardless of that. The damn passport people have the damn birth certificates! Also im guessing the good ol usofA would say otherwise. O the irony!

This is a problem. My wife expires, so she sent all her stuff in including her license to renew hers. In the mean time our son needs his first passport. We’ve been waiting 2 months for hers to come back so we can get started on his.

 

[hawgty55]

This is a problem. My wife expires, so she sent all her stuff in including her license to renew hers. In the mean time our son needs his first passport. We’ve been waiting 2 months for hers to come back so we can get started on his.

So i did call one of those websites posted above after a short wait hot a very nice lady that was upset she couldn’t help me but that being said. You can only have one passport application in at a time so call them first and get some info from them before you just ship it off

 

[LHC Kirby]

View attachment 1242933

Sssoooo I’m guessing that’s the response you got. I would expect that’s an auto reply. Hopefully Monday you get a better response.

 

[Angler]

My check cleared the bank 04/05/2023, received my passport today 6-22-23.

 

[Outdrive1]

My check cleared the bank 04/05/2023, received my passport today 6-22-23.

The post office made us get a money order. Sent in all the stuff for my son yesterday. We paid to expedite it also. Supposed to go to the Bahamas the last week of July.

I’m 50/50 on it showing up in time

 

[Orange Juice]

They sell fake ones in parts of LA.

 

[Dan Lorenze]

I remember when I needed a passport quickly I went to the Federal Building in West LA. I got it quick. Even it you go there to expedite the process it might be worth checking it out. Not sure if they are still operating there but it's worth a shot.

 

[77charger]

My daughter got hers today 5 weeks expedited

 

[Roosky01]

Is everything fuk'd up beyond all recognition out there? My Brother sent his stuff in May 30th expedited for a trip over the 4th of July. Got his passport yesterday. JFC, I feel for all of you, but at least the weather is good!

 

[RadMan]

I recall having to find the post office that does passports in Dallas and make an appointment, the guy told me if you can show your trip is close, they turn it around in time. If I were you I’d at least try that. Once at the appointment the passport guy can do the work, but on the phone, useless.

 

[boatpi]

Sorry, but if it’s too late, there’s two ways to take care of this if you’re short on time but not this short. There is such thing as an emergency temporary passport, I believe you have to go directly to the federal building to make that happen. Not known if appointment needed. It’s also utilized overseas if your passport is lost.
I believe it’s purple and color and it has a short expiration.


First off they have an expedited service you paid for. It’s a FedEx both ways an expedited with US government I did mine last year it was a 3 1/2 week turnaround. It’s on the website with the state department.

Secondarily there are services I know there’s one or used to be in Huntington Beach and other cities that are basically an agent you go in you pay about $150 fee they take everything from you and once a week they go to the federal building in West Los Angeles, and get everything done in person at turnaround if usually seven days

Just an fyi.

 

[spectra3279]

Sorry, but if it’s too late, there’s two ways to take care of this if you’re short on time but not this short. There is such thing as an emergency temporary passport, I believe you have to go directly to the federal building to make that happen. Not known if appointment needed. It’s also utilized overseas if your passport is lost.
I believe it’s purple and color and it has a short expiration.


First off they have an expedited service you paid for. It’s a FedEx both ways an expedited with US government I did mine last year it was a 3 1/2 week turnaround. It’s on the website with the state department.

Secondarily there are services I know there’s one or used to be in Huntington Beach and other cities that are basically an agent you go in you pay about $150 fee they take everything from you and once a week they go to the federal building in West Los Angeles, and get everything done in person at turnaround if usually seven days

Just an fyi.

Good for 1 year

 

[hawgty55]

My check cleared the bank 04/05/2023, received my passport today 6-22-23.

Ours cleared 4/20 and still no paperwork. Supposed to leave monday.

 

[hawgty55]

So a bit of an update we still dont have them! We live in Texas and have gone to the federal building and put our name on the “list” well see if they dont show by Saturday afternoon well just have to cancel the trip not going to do all the things necessary to leave monday if they dont show. No idea about the emergency deal but id say this isn’t an emergency for a white tax paying family to get passports to go on a vacation. The federal building is crazy. Possibly 100 or so people trying to get there passports and maybe 20 have a chance. I do have some insight finally of how it all works and what to do if your within 2 weeks of departure. Received so much wrong or bad information over the last couple weeks from the department its crazy.

 

[spectra3279]

I had to get one as a government contractor getting deployed with the marines. The temp ones are good for a year and are still kind of a bitch. 2 trips from San Diego to LA to get it.

 

[That Guy]

I applied to renew my Global Entry pass back in October. The website says 11 months is the norm.....government at it's finest!

 

[pronstar]

About 15 years ago, I got a passport same day.

Had to arrive at the Federal Building in LA when they opened, and I literally had to wait in the parking lot and check-in every hour to see if it was ready.

I got my passport just as they were closing.

 

[rivermobster]

Ours cleared 4/20 and still no paperwork. Supposed to leave monday.

4/20 you say??



Mine took a few months without the expedition.

I had to go to the post office to apply and make Sure everything was in order. The chick was Crazy impressed that I had done everything correctly. She said no one ever does that!

Really sorry to read about this. Hope it shows up last minute.

 

[hawgty55]

Well! They didn’t show. What an overwhelming shit show. Dealing with all of this has been exhausting to say the least and still no answers as to when we’ll have them in our hands

 

[crzy2bealive]

Well! They didn’t show. What an overwhelming shit show. Dealing with all of this has been exhausting to say the least and still no answers as to when we’ll have them in our hands

How frustrating! I hope you can get all your money back for the trip

 

[hawgty55]

Oh, what do you know the day that we were supposed to leave? They are approved and sent.

 

[wallnutz]

Oh, what do you know the day that we were supposed to leave? They are approved and sent.

We are the government, we're here to help...

 

[hawgty55]

We are the government, we're here to help...

Just got a response from Mr Cruzs office only a week late. Thanks. Sent a nice email in response to theres.

 

[CSmith]

Oh, what do you know the day that we were supposed to leave? They are approved and sent.

Literally the same thing happened to me 2 years ago. Such a joke isn't it. Nothing you can do and it literally just eats you up inside with frustration. Even paid the "expedite" fee to guarantee I'd have it a month before my trip.

 

[hawgty55]

Literally the same thing happened to me 2 years ago. Such a joke isn't it. Nothing you can do and it literally just eats you up inside with frustration. Even paid the "expedite" fee to guarantee I'd have it a month before my trip.

Couldn’t say it any better.

 

[MissB]

Weird that this thread just came up, I have a passport, but it expired in 2017. It's my understanding that I need to apply for a new one due to the 5 year past expiration date limit. Anyone have any tips/tricks on where to do this. No hurry, just want to get it done.

 

[Outdrive1]

Weird that this thread just came up, I have a passport, but it expired in 2017. It's my understanding that I need to apply for a new one due to the 5 year past expiration date limit. Anyone have any tips/tricks on where to do this. No hurry, just want to get it done.

Just make an appointment at the post office.

 

[MissB]

Just make an appointment at the post office.

well that seems easy enough... not sure what everyone's problem is.... LOL I Thanks Paul!

 

[C-2]

https://www.npr.org/2023/07/08/1186372900/canceled-trips-and-no-refunds-passport-delays-are-derailing-travelers

Canceled trips and no refunds: Passport delays are derailing travelers​

July 8, 20235:00 AM ET

Juliana Kim

The U.S. is on track to surpass the record-setting 22 million passports issued last year.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Dakotah Hendricks from Virginia Beach, Va. made sure she did everything right in order to visit her husband, who is deployed overseas, this summer.
She filed an application for a new passport months in advance and paid for expedited processing. She spent hours on the phone with the passport hotline and even sought help from her local congressman. But four months later, Hendricks had no choice but to miss her flight.
"I applied for this with enough cushion room for there to be delays," she told NPR. "But that didn't matter."
Across the country, long-awaited reunions and hard-earned vacations are being upended by what the State Department described as an "unprecedented demand for passports."
In March, the department said standard processing time for a new or renewed passport could take up to 13 weeks. But many passport seekers are finding that the wait is well beyond that — leaving trips abroad compromised and travelers scrambling for refunds on airfare and lodging.

The State Department says they receive about 400,000 applications each week​

The stubborn passport delays are, in part, a consequence of the pandemic. As the health crisis has waned, interest in international travel has picked up in turn — causing a surge in applications for new or renewed passports.
As of July, the State Department receives about 400,000 applications each week — which is only slightly lower than the record-setting volume of 500,000 applications received per week between January and May.

​

Last year, the U.S. issued 22 million passports, a historic high — and is expected to once again surpass the record this year.
A spokesperson for the State Department said they are hiring more staff and authorizing overtime in order to keep up with the demand. The department also plans to launch a website for online passport renewal applications by the end of the year. The online option is expected to help process about a quarter of applications.

Long wait times and thousands of dollars lost​

Keisha Peterson from Maryland spent a year saving up over $3,000 for a vacation in the Bahamas — her 9-year-old daughter's first trip abroad. They planned to leave on Sunday.
But instead of packing, Peterson said she is finding out whether she can get a voucher or credit for their flights, because her daughter's passport did not come in time.
"I'm feeling disappointed, devastated, frustrated and just emotionally drained," she told NPR. "It should not be this hard to get a passport."

​

Peterson filed her daughter's application in March. Two weeks ago, she learned that she was missing some paperwork. After submitting the proper documents, Peterson learned on Friday that the department made a mistake about which documents they needed.
The only silver lining, Peterson said, was that her daughter did not know about the trip or that it was canceled, because it was meant to be a surprise.
"What she doesn't know can't hurt her," she said.
Meanwhile, Hendricks rescheduled her flight to a Mediterranean country, where she and her husband planned to meet, for mid-July. Up until recently, Hendricks, a former member of the U.S. Navy, did not need a passport because service members do not need one when they are sent abroad.
Hendricks said if she does not have her passport by then, she will have lost about $2,500, and will be unable to see her husband until he returns from deployment at the end of the year.
"It's my only chance," she said. "The way his schedule works, I don't get a redo."

 

[badluck24/7]

So passport delays in 2023 is the new toilet paper shortage of 2020. Everyone out there panic traveling