General Discussion

demtenjeep

(31,997 posts) Sun Sep 28, 2014, 04:56 PM Sep 2014

how long is it taking to get passports these days?

Hubby and ours have ours already-good for another 6 years.

Daughters expired 3 years ago and son needs to get his first one.

They need them by March. What is the latest they should wait. I would already have mine if it were me, but sometimes you can't tell them what to do.

13 replies

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how long is it taking to get passports these days? (Original Post) demtenjeep Sep 2014 OP

The last one took me 10 days Warpy Sep 2014 #1

By March? al_liberal Sep 2014 #2

About 2 weeks for us last March. GeorgeGist Sep 2014 #3

I recently did mine yeoman6987 Sep 2014 #4

To be safe, I see no reason to wait, recommend going for them sooner rather than trying to time it. NYC_SKP Sep 2014 #5

You're going to have to appear in person with your children frazzled Sep 2014 #6

9 yo daughter this spring al_liberal Sep 2014 #7

You've really got to watch out. MohRokTah Sep 2014 #8

I would start now. Brigid Sep 2014 #9

Agreed, why wait to the last minute when you can get it in plenty of time. n/t tammywammy Sep 2014 #10

I agree demtenjeep Sep 2014 #11

just got mine renewed cynannmarie Sep 2014 #12

It depends on what you're willing to pay. Avalux Sep 2014 #13

Warpy

(111,268 posts)

1. The last one took me 10 days

Reply to demtenjeep (Original post)

Sun Sep 28, 2014, 04:58 PM

Sep 2014

and I didn't pay nearly double to expedite it.

al_liberal

(420 posts)

2. By March?

Reply to demtenjeep (Original post)

Sun Sep 28, 2014, 04:59 PM

Sep 2014

Get the apps in by Dec, probably before Jan 1 would suffice. My 9 yo daughter got hers renewed this past spring and received the passport within a month.

GeorgeGist

(25,321 posts)

3. About 2 weeks for us last March.

Reply to demtenjeep (Original post)

Sun Sep 28, 2014, 05:01 PM

Sep 2014

Did not pay extra for expedited processing.

yeoman6987

(14,449 posts)

4. I recently did mine

Reply to demtenjeep (Original post)

Sun Sep 28, 2014, 05:04 PM

Sep 2014

And was absolutely shocked at how fast it came. March is absolutely no problem.

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)

5. To be safe, I see no reason to wait, recommend going for them sooner rather than trying to time it.

Reply to demtenjeep (Original post)

Sun Sep 28, 2014, 05:18 PM

Sep 2014

And, if they plan to travel abroad much, a Global Entry card from TSA is cool, expedites passage through domestic and international airports.

frazzled

(18,402 posts)

6. You're going to have to appear in person with your children

Reply to demtenjeep (Original post)

Sun Sep 28, 2014, 06:37 PM

Sep 2014

and with all the required forms, photos, etc. So I'd start getting it together right away, especially as both parents must appear together

Passport applications for minors under age 16, who have or have not had a passport in the past, must be submitted in person at a passport agency or authorized passport application acceptance facility. The minor must be present. Both parents or guardians should appear with the minor. If both parents/guardians cannot be present, see parental consent for additional document requirements.

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/under-16.html

Please see the details at the link, including fees (it looks like it will be $105 per child: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/information/costs.html )

al_liberal

(420 posts)

7. 9 yo daughter this spring

Reply to frazzled (Reply #6)

Sun Sep 28, 2014, 07:44 PM

Sep 2014

Her mother and I took her to the passport office at my local post office. She and her mother live in NH, I live in AL.

Passport was received within one month.

MohRokTah

(15,429 posts)

8. You've really got to watch out.

Reply to demtenjeep (Original post)

Sun Sep 28, 2014, 07:47 PM

Sep 2014

It could take just a few weeks and be an easy process or something could happen that ends up forcing the process to be dragged out for months.

All it takes is one asshole with a legitimately acquired US Passport doing stupid shit, like being captured as an ISIL terrorist or any of a million other things and the process will get extra scrutiny and become dragged out for months.

Brigid

(17,621 posts)

9. I would start now.

Reply to demtenjeep (Original post)

Sun Sep 28, 2014, 08:10 PM

Sep 2014

Why wait, and take a chance of problems? Murphy's Law and all that.

tammywammy

(26,582 posts)

10. Agreed, why wait to the last minute when you can get it in plenty of time. n/t

Reply to Brigid (Reply #9)

Sun Sep 28, 2014, 08:13 PM

Sep 2014

demtenjeep

(31,997 posts)

11. I agree

Reply to tammywammy (Reply #10)

Mon Sep 29, 2014, 08:35 PM

Sep 2014

and it is bugging hubby and I do death, but they are over 21 and "know it all"

cynannmarie

(113 posts)

12. just got mine renewed

Reply to demtenjeep (Original post)

Mon Sep 29, 2014, 08:51 PM

Sep 2014

and it took about 2 weeks. One tip: I wanted to avoid the cost and method of passport photos so had my husband take digital photos and used a free online program to correctly format it for passports requirements. Thought I could maximize my opportunity to get a decent picture by having many to choose from, and be able adjust the lighting, etc to be the most flattering--will have the pic for 10 years after all, and wanted to look my best. But when I got to the P.O. to turn in the forms, birth certificate and photo, they wouldn't accept the pic because they said it had to have a white background and mine had a very pale yellow one. So ended up paying 15. for them to take the single shot photo right there and of course it wasn't very good and I'm stuck with it. So much for vanity! lol

Avalux

(35,015 posts)

13. It depends on what you're willing to pay.

Reply to demtenjeep (Original post)

Mon Sep 29, 2014, 08:53 PM

Sep 2014

The regular service takes about 6 weeks or so (I would do it sooner than later though), but if you need it faster, you can pay more and get it in a few days. It's all about $$.

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