Passport gamble?

MrsWhiteonWhiteSt · February 2010

So we're thinking of booking a last minute cruise. The cruise leaves 3/21- 5 1/2 weeks from today. The US passport website says that passports are processing in 4-6wks. If we took the baby for his passport tomorrow, do you think it's too much of a timing "gamble"? Would you do it?

GlenLakeLove · February 2010

You can pay extra to have it rushed. Otherwise, I wouldn't trust them.

Mine went through in 2 weeks (this was 2 years ago though) because I dropped it at the main office in DC. I just had a friend who was told 4-6 and it took 9 weeks. It's a bit of a gamble depending on where it gets sent, etc.

tab890 · February 2010

I would pay to have it rushed just to be on the safe side.

prncsstp · February 2010

I would pay the rush fee... and if it ISNT in within a week before your cruise, call you Congressman and Senators - that has worked before with several of my friends.... they can help rush it through

LauraBeth1401 · February 2010

When you apply for it, they also ask if you have any upcoming travel plans so you can indicate that you are going to need it for your trip. Might help rush it through. I just had my name changed on mine and it didn't take as long as the 6 weeks they told me but a name change isn't the same as a new application so it's hard to tell. Definitely pay to have it rushed though.

Labbie · February 2010

pay for the expedited one- don't trust the government to move fast!

Susie Derkins · February 2010

MrsWhiteonWhiteSt:
do you think it's too much of a timing "gamble"? Would you do it?

I'd do it. I just got my passport renewed about 1.5 month ago, and I got it back in under 3 weeks. Mailed it out the first Friday in December, and got the new one on Christmas Eve. The State Department was estimating 4-6 weeks then too. I sent in my marriage certificate with it because I also had to change the name on it, and that didn't slow anything down.

I've seen other nesties post similar experience - the 2-3 week zone. I haven't seen anyone report that theirs took upwards of 4-5 weeks.

Expediting is of course the most conservative route, but based on mine and recently posted experiences, I think you could use the rush fee better on a mani/pedi before you leave

jewelsonu · February 2010

I"d pay the expeditied fee. Just ot be safe. I renewed my passport 4 years ago and it took almost the full 6 weeks. Dh got his within 3 weeks and we applied the same day.

Passport gamble?

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