I need passport help!!! How long will it take? I need it by 5/25
 

So I went to the post office 5 weeks ago to get a passport- they said it would be tight for time, so I should call the Boston passport office to book an appointment within 14 days of travel.

So I do that. The 800# automated queu is full. I try for a few days off and on without any success. I finally wake up at 3am last night and I get thru to them. The earliest appointment is next Wed 5/23. I fly out the following Tuesday, but with the holiday weekend I assume I'll need to grab it that Friday....

-Does anyone have experience with these passport offices? How long does it take? Can I pick the passport up at their office- to prevent shipping?

-Has anyone ever used one of the many shady passport expediting services? Not sure which one to trust, or if I even need one.

THANKS!!!!

Re: I need passport help!!! How long will it take? I need it by 5/25
 

The expediting services work great, although I can't recommend a specific one. I know lots of people that have used them though.

Re: I need passport help!!! How long will it take? I need it by 5/25
 

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The expediting services work great, although I can't recommend a specific one. I know lots of people that have used them though.

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Same here. I used one over 10 years ago. Just pay by credit card and you should be fine.

Re: I need passport help!!! How long will it take? I need it by 5/25
 

Yeah I don't think you have to worry a ton about getting ripped off by one of the passport services. I would assume the US Govt takes that kind of stuff pretty seriously.

Re: I need passport help!!! How long will it take? I need it by 5/25
 

[ QUOTE ]
The expediting services work great, although I can't recommend a specific one. I know lots of people that have used them though.

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I've never heard of a passport expedition service. How does that work? How do they get you to "the front of the line"?

Re: I need passport help!!! How long will it take? I need it by 5/25
 

travisa

Re: I need passport help!!! How long will it take? I need it by 5/25
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The expediting services work great, although I can't recommend a specific one. I know lots of people that have used them though.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've never heard of a passport expedition service. How does that work? How do they get you to "the front of the line"?

[/ QUOTE ]


Here's info from one site

Re: I need passport help!!! How long will it take? I need it by 5/25
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The expediting services work great, although I can't recommend a specific one. I know lots of people that have used them though.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've never heard of a passport expedition service. How does that work? How do they get you to "the front of the line"?

[/ QUOTE ]


Here's info from one site

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Oh, I get it. If you prove that you are about to leave and concoct some story about why it's essential (family reason, important business) then you can get bumped to the head of the line.

Re: I need passport help!!! How long will it take? I need it by 5/25
 

I used one about a year ago. It was easy and reliable.

Re: I need passport help!!! How long will it take? I need it by 5/25
 

Doesn't the US Post Office offer an expedited service that is guaranteed within 2 weeks? Not that this would help you now, but it should have been an option when you originally went. At least it was for me when I got mine a bit more than a year ago. I wouldn't think this is something that would differ by branch.

Re: I need passport help!!! How long will it take? I need it by 5/25
 

OP,

thread

Re: I need passport help!!! How long will it take? I need it by 5/25
 

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OP,

thread

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Thanks for all the input!!!

Sorry El D for missing this...can't believe it was just posted a few days ago.

I finally spoke with my travel agent, she said I'll leave the Boston passport office next Wednesday with a new passport in hand.

That would be pretty sweet. I'll keep everyone posted.

Re: I need passport help!!! How long will it take? I need it by 5/25
 

omg. . .i have been waiting since february 28 for mine...good luck.

Re: I need passport help!!! How long will it take? I need it by 5/25
 

fp,

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

Re: I need passport help!!! How long will it take? I need it by 5/25
 

[ QUOTE ]
omg. . .i have been waiting since february 28 for mine...good luck.

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You might want to follow up. The ones for my kids only took about 3-5 weeks last year.

Re: I need passport help!!! How long will it take? I need it by 5/25
 

Boston should be fast, my parents got there's in like 2 weeks.

Re: I need passport help!!! How long will it take? I need it by 5/25
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
omg. . .i have been waiting since february 28 for mine...good luck.

[/ QUOTE ]

You might want to follow up. The ones for my kids only took about 3-5 weeks last year.

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Last year you didn't need a passport to visit Canada or Mexcio. It takes forever. My girlfriend has been waiting since February, she leaves on Monday. She eventually got through and they supposedly put a rush on it to get it back by Saturday at the latest. Hope it works out for her.

Going to the office will allow you to leave with one in hand. If you live near one, this is smart. If not, pay someone to do it for you with an expedited service.

Re: I need passport help!!! How long will it take? I need it by 5/25
 

I used Expedited Service at the post office and it took 8 days before I had it in hand. For me it was well worth the extra $60 for the ease of mind (not travelling until July 9th, and was hearing about the 10 weeks standard turnaround time).

I understand this is completely different than going to a passport office site, but for those of you that are tight on time for regular service and are curious about expedited service thought I would offer that tidbit up.

Re: I need passport help!!! How long will it take? I need it by 5/25
 

A guy I work with has kids w/ dual U.S.-Columbian citizenship. They are traveling to Bogata this month.

U.S. passport office advised wait is now approx. 6 months.

Guy took his kids to Columbian consulate and walked out with Columbian passports for them.

Re: I need passport help!!! How long will it take? I need it by 5/25
 

I used to work at my Congressman's office and learned that you can actually get same-day service if you show up at the regional passport processing office (Philadelphia was the closest one to NJ). This lady was leaving for Ireland that day but she didn't see if her passport had expired and got it taken care of the next day by showing up at the crack of dawn.

Call your local Congressional office if you're still in a bind.

Re: I need passport help!!! How long will it take? I need it by 5/25
 

[ QUOTE ]
A guy I work with has kids w/ dual U.S.-Columbian citizenship. They are traveling to Bogata this month.

U.S. passport office advised wait is now approx. 6 months.

Guy took his kids to Columbian consulate and walked out with Columbian passports for them.

[/ QUOTE ]

I could walk into US Consulate here right now and walk out with a new passport in hand. That isn't the same as being in the USA and trying to get one. Outside of any country, they are good about getting you one very quickly.

Re: I need passport help!!! How long will it take? I need it by 5/25
 

[ QUOTE ]
I used to work at my Congressman's office and learned that you can actually get same-day service if you show up at the regional passport processing office (Philadelphia was the closest one to NJ). This lady was leaving for Ireland that day but she didn't see if her passport had expired and got it taken care of the next day by showing up at the crack of dawn.


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This works at the Westwood office in LA as well. Make sure you bring plane tickets, etc, anything that can prove you HAVE to leave in the next 24 hours. Be prepared to spend the day and be super-persuasive.