Passport application takes about 2-3 weeks.
Many US postal offices handle passport processing.
We went to the post office and they checked everything before it was mailed. It was very easy. Renewal was even easier.
Coscto takes 4 passport photos for $4.99 and gives you a handy folder to keep them in–takes less than an hour. The nice photographer didn’t like the first photo, so took a second one that looked much better. They make sure the photo won’t be rejected and delay your passport processing. The peace of mind was well worth it for me!
Agree that the only way to speed passport processing us to pay the expedited fee.
We always had at least a tentative international destination and date when we were applying, but it doesn’t sound like if matters if that’s left blank. We would always just put in our tentative destination and dates.
My previous passport had such a flattering, cheerful photo of me that, on more than one occasion, airport Immigration challeged whether that I was the person in the photo.
My new grim passport photo looks every bit that I just came off an excruciating 13-hr flight in cattle class. I get no challenges now.
The immigration folks have never challenged me. My photos simply look like me. They never seem to pay that much attention and with Global Entry, it’s been faster and easier.
^^^
+1000 Likes for Global Entry!
I totally get what you’re saying about not wanting to deal with stupid bureaucrats. Fortunately, getting a passport isn’t like dealing with the RMV or even the post office. They seem to hire intelligent people who actually know their jobs. We’ve never had a delay with a passport, and I think I’m on my 3rd or 4th one. My kids have had at least 2 each. Never had a problem with documentation.
I should make another post but figure those here will know the answer. I have an appointment on Wednesday for tsa pre check. How long after the appointment will I get (whatever, a card, confirmed, I’m not sure)? I planned a last minute flight in 3 weeks to see my mom and am hoping that is enough time.
For Global Entry, once you get approved at your interview, you’re activated in the system immediately. When you book your flight, you must give the airline your Trusted Traveller number to utilize the benefit. I assume TSApre works the same way.
Since you’ve already booked the flight, see if you can add your Trusted Traveller number on the airline’s website, or by calling reservations. TSApre must be printed on the boarding pass for you to use that lane.
Thanks @GMTplus7! I saw where I could add my trusted traveler number and figure (hope) I can add it to an existing reservation.
My husband had an appointment for TSA precheck this week. Checked his passport and it had expired in January. Oops. Luckily he has no immediate plans for overseas travel.
We recently used a different airline than usual to bring our son home for spring break. After I made the reservation I remembered about TSAPre and was able to add his trusted travelers number to his account with the new airline. I think that as long as you do that before you check into the flight and print out the boarding pass, you are fine!
Yes, we got our Global Entry known traveler number shortly after the interview – less than 48 hours. I added it to our record on the airline website and our tickets online. The cards came in the mail with a week or two, so we had the cards for our flight, but we were precheck because we put the known traveler number on our tickets via the airline website.
The interview was mainly watching a dhort video and having fingerprints taken.
It’s not true that you need your “original” birth certificate. First of all, the original remains in the bureau of vital statistics, or wherever it was filed. We only get certified copies. I didn’t have my “original” BC; it was lost. I got a certified copy and submitted that with no problems. Both of my D’s birth certificates were certified copies. Again, no problem.
Not sure why the “original” BC myth persists. US citizens lose their birth certificates. It doesn’t change the fact that they are still US citizens. As long as they get official proof of birth, it’s not an issue.
What people mean is an official birth certificate with a seal of the keeper of records. You can’t use the one the hospital gave you, and you can’t use a photo copy. My official birth certificate is a photostat of a microfiche or something like that, but it has the signature and seal of the clerk’s office even though it is a messy photocopy and looks very unofficial. It also has some of the information about the kids born just before me and just after me on it as it is a snap of my information, recorded with the county or state. My children have actual certificates, again with a raised seal and clerk signature, as in this state they issue an actual certificate if you request (and pay for)it. It has the date of issue on it, which isn’t your birth date.
Many people try to send in photocopies or non official ‘certificates’ of birth, naturalization, or some other document that needs to be an original, with a seal.
Certified copies are what is required. Each state’s Dept of Health has procedures for ordering extra certified copies of vital records, such as birth, death and marriage certificates/licenses. Often there is a nominal cost and it can take some time as well. Xeroed copies are not sufficient for many things.
Sometimes you can get certified copies returned to you if you request it, while other times they are retained.
Yes, “official” vs. “original.”