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Help! I haven't received my new passport, & my plane leaves in 6 days!

Help! I haven't received my new passport, & my plane leaves in 6 days!

Old Aug 26th, 2002, 05:51 PM
  #1  
Greg without passport
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Help! I haven't received my new passport, & my plane leaves in 6 days!

Hi,
I submitted my passport renewal application by mail to the US passport processing center approximately 5 to 5 1/2 weeks ago.

The USPS clerk told me that it takes about 4 weeks for processing.

My problem is that I have NOT received my new passport! And I am supossed to be travelling to the UK this Sunday! (6 days from now).

Please HELP!

Do you have any suggestions?
Is it possible to try to apply for "another" passport in person, and get it the same day?
Does it matter that I applied by mail for another one, but I still have not received it?

Thank you for all your help or any advice that you can give me.

Note: I live in the San Francisco Bay Area.
 
Old Aug 26th, 2002, 05:55 PM
  #2  
StCirq
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Call your Congressman's office first thing tomorrow morning and explain the situation. They can get you a passport within 24 hours on an emergency basis. Of course, as soon as you do this, the passport will arrive in the mail.
 
Old Aug 26th, 2002, 06:12 PM
  #3  
Sandy
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Hi - There is a way to check on the status of your passport. Check their website; there is a phone number you can call. I remember doing this and found my passport had been mailed.
 
Old Aug 26th, 2002, 06:16 PM
  #4  
patg
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Go to
http://travel.state.gov/npicinfo.html

for the phone number (toll) to check your status.

You can still have it sent via overnight if you get in touch with the right people.
 
Old Aug 26th, 2002, 06:37 PM
  #5  
here
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Greg
here's a tel # I used when my daughter was in a similar tight spot.I hope it's not the number you already called.I know you have to pay some ridiculous amount to be put through and then put on hold but it's worth it.They were able to tell me when the passport wasmailed and if it didn't arrive by the next day they would overnight another one.The did indeed overnight it and when she got back from her trip she had to mail the other back-it arrived while she was gone! Good luck!
Tel.# 603-334-0677
 
Old Aug 26th, 2002, 07:27 PM
  #6  
Sue
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There is quick service at the Passport Office in SF (my DIL got hers in one day); but they have an automated app't telephone # and she did have to wait several days for an appt. I would call immediately and make an appt (if you can get one before you leave) just as a back-up. 415-538-2700
Their URL is: http://travel.state.gov/ppt_sf.html

Then research your current renewal as suggested. It is probably "in the mail," but it wouldn't hurt to have a backup. If you are forced to use the appt, be sure you have everything you need.
 
Old Aug 26th, 2002, 09:37 PM
  #7  
Greg without passport
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Hi,

To all of you that posted your advice:

Thank you all very much for your help.

I checked the travel website, it also provided the number to call and get the passport Status. I called that number, but they are closed (will open tomorrow at 8:30 eastern time). According to the travel website, it cost $5.50 to inquire about the status of your passport (Where do our taxes go? I wonder...).

Thank you SO MUCH for all your help.

I will make an appointment NOW in the SFO office, (hopefully I'll get one before friday)
Tomorrow morning I'll call the "check status number" where I will try to get them to overnight my passport, if it is still there.

Then, my last resource will be to call my congressman's office, and ask for their help.

Thank you SO MUCH for ALL your help.

Greg
 
Old Aug 26th, 2002, 09:50 PM
  #8  
Sue
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Good luck, Greg and bon voyage! (Let us know how it turned out.)
 
Old Aug 30th, 2002, 01:45 PM
  #9  
Greg WITH passport
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Hello All,

Thank you again for all your suggestions. They were very helpful.

Here is an update.

I called the check status number, and found out that my passport had already been mailed.
They told me that I would probably get it in a couple of days.
In the meantime, I called the SFO passport office and got an appointment for Friday (in case my passport didn't come in the mail).
Luckily I got my passport in the mail yesterday (Thursday), so I cancelled the appt that I had for Friday at the passport office.

Thank you very much for all your help and advice.

This is a great forum!

Greg
 
Old Aug 30th, 2002, 01:52 PM
  #10  
Kat
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Whew Greg. That was a close one. Just reading the post made me very tense. Glad for the happy ending. Hope you enjoy your trip.
 
Old Aug 30th, 2002, 02:06 PM
  #11  
Sue
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Great, Greg! That's called right down to the wire! Thanks for filling us in—I get frustrated with dramatic stories when I don't know the ending. Have a terrific trip!
 
Old Aug 30th, 2002, 03:31 PM
  #12  
be prepared
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Great thread! Thanks Greg.

Topping for those readers who do not have a passport. GET ONE... GET ONE NOW *!* They don't cost that much, aren't that hard to obtain with proper leadtime, and last for 10 years. NEVER be without one. It's good for day-dreaming about travel if nothing else

;-) kind regards, Susan
 
Old Aug 30th, 2002, 03:40 PM
  #13  
Maira
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This is probably one of the best threads I have ever seen on this forum. You guys were such class act and Greg was so thoughful in keeping everybody informed. I have to take my hat off to you guys (if I was wearing one). Greg, enjoy!!
 
Old Aug 30th, 2002, 04:11 PM
  #14  
bon
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Glad to hear Greg got his passport.

He also could have forked over the additional $ to expedite his passport renewal. Regardless of what the well intentioned USPS person told him about turn around times, the passport application and the State Dept website says to allow 6 weeks (and let's assume that's optimistic during the summer season) .

And I for one, am really pleased to hear that Greg didn't have to call his Senator or Representative to bail him out of the dilemma.
 
Old Aug 30th, 2002, 05:27 PM
  #15  
patg
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Last spring, I had to get a fairly quick passport (6 weeks time) for my son; being a minor, his had expired after five years without my noticing. Here is what a kind agent told me to do:

instead of paying upfront for expedited service, I should send in the necessary forms, then call after 3-4 weeks to check on the status. If the passport had not yet been mailed, I could pay for overnight delivery over the phone.

In fact, we received it in just under four weeks, so all was well, but her attitude and suggestions were very reassuring.
 
Old Sep 3rd, 2002, 03:09 PM
  #16  
geri
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On July 31 I went to the Recorder's office at my county courthouse (live in a very small town in an upper midwestern state) to apply for a new passport. Had all the proper paperwork in hand, plus pictures and notarized birth certificate. Ten days later my new passport arrived in the mail. Evidently the new passport was processed in New Orleans--was quite surprised to get it so quickly.
 
Old Sep 3rd, 2002, 04:12 PM
  #17  
beth
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Greg,

Best thing to do really is call your Memeber of Congress' office. I live in SF also, it's either Nancy Pelosi or Tom Lantos.

I had the same problem, and I got my Passport the next day.

Don't get stuck in the BS of the federal government. Let your Congressperson be your advocate.

Beth
 
Old Sep 3rd, 2002, 04:25 PM
  #18  
Kim
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Beth, You must have skimmed over Greg's post of 08/30/2002 on this thread.
 
Old Sep 4th, 2002, 06:31 AM
  #19  
kimxx
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Geri, me too. I lost my passport so had to fill out forms say I lost it , then filled out a new pp form. I didn't expedite or anything and I got a new PP 2 weeks later.
New Orleans really has a quick turnaround time.
 
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