Passport renewal

[sonia]

My US passport expires in mid-2017, so I'm renewing it now. I expect the passport office to be swamped soon, if it isn't already. The regular processing fee is $110. You have to send your current passport with the application.

Things I would not have thought about two weeks ago while renewing my passport:

• The regular processing time is currently 4-5 weeks. Should I spend an additional $60 to expedite it to make absolutely sure it comes back to me before the inauguration on Jan 20?
  
• No, I don't need my passport right now, I'll leave the expedited processing for people who need it.
  
• I wonder if I'll get my passport back, and how long it will take.
  
• I wonder if I will really regret this decision.

I am deeply afraid.

Comments

[tim]

There is the option of going to the closest passport office (Seattle, last I checked) to get it done in person. They will actually hand you a new passport. This is basically "expedited service", but you get your passport the same day. You have to have proof that you're traveling soon, but if you made a hotel reservation in Canada, there would be no way of knowing if you canceled it later, not that I'm advocating anything deceptive.

You did say you would leave it for the people who need it, which probably applies to this option too, but just letting you know it's there! (And sorry for splaining if you already knew this.)

[sonia]

Interesting! I read up on the various options, but it wasn't clear you can get a passport the same day. Good thing to know.

I'm afraid, but it's still counterbalanced by, "He's not inaugurated yet. It hasn't started yet." There's still the wish/hope/internal argument that it won't get that bad, while my gut is screaming "BAD BAD BAD!!!" I woke up thinking about what possessions I would take with me in a move to another country.

Anyway, all that to say that I sent off the application this morning, unexpedited, and someday I may get a passport back.

[tim]

Yeah. At least as of 2010, they would give it to you the same day, although I don't think there was anything anywhere that actually *said* they would (when I went there, i was expecting to be given a receipt, or something, and then receive the passport in the mail.)

Good luck!