Feedback, experiences, timelines, tips and useful information from people that have recently been through the US passport application process.
1st Adult Passport
Type of Application:
First U.S Adult Passport
Application Date:
2022-05-25
Received Date:
2022-07-14
Passport Agency:
Chicago Passport Agency
Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Adult Renewal Passport
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Application Date:
2023-02-22
Received Date:
2023-03-27
Application Method:
Paper Application
Passport Agency:
I do not know
Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Optional Comments:
I went to the post office on 2/18/23 – application was processed and the website showed “in process” as of 2/22/23. The post office told me the wait time for expedited service was 3-5 weeks, then the website showed 5-7 weeks. I needed the renewed passport for a work trip during the 1st week of April. When I couldn’t book my travel because I had no idea when the passport would come I reached out to my congressman on 3/13. I didn’t get a response right away so I sent a follow up email on 3/20. This date was 2 weeks from my travel. My congressman’s office got a response from the National Passport Center on 3/22 and told me that it was in process and that I should pay for the USPS Priority Mail shipping. I called the National Passport Center that day, paid for the upgraded shipping, and was told to check the website in 1 to 2 business days for a tracking number. The website status changed to “approved” the next day but I never did get a tracking number. I was able to see that the passport would be delivered on 3/27 through the USPS Informed Delivery on 3/24.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Application Date:
2023-01-16
Received Date:
2023-01-16
Application Method:
Online Application
Passport Agency:
I do not know
Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Optional Comments:
When I applied the wait time was supposed to be 4 to 6 weeks. Then went to 6 to 9 weeks, then moved to 8 to 11 weeks, and now, 10 to 13 weeks. Until this morning(3/27/2023) the status showed “received”. Phone calls were not entertained until about a few days ago when they posted a number to call if your travel day is within two weeks. This line has been busy the whole time until now. However, in desperation I went online, selected expedited service and expedited delivery, paid an additional fee for that. Miraculously the status shows “in process”. Still not sure how long this will take. Its been more than 9 1/2 weeks.
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Application Date:
2022-12-27
Received Date:
2023-03-27
Application Method:
Online Application
Passport Agency:
National Passport Center
Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal
Application Date:
2023-01-25
Received Date:
2023-03-24
Application Method:
Paper Application
Passport Agency:
I do not know
Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Optional Comments:
Mailed in–did not initially expedite. Wait time was quoted as 6-9 weeks. Contacted passport center to expedite at end of February after multiple news stories report long wait. I was told I would have to start over wait time (later that was told not true) so I did not expedite. Contacted my congressman’s office on March 10, completed forms to expedite. I was told passport center would not expedite until the week prior to my travel. Congressman office called with update on 3/22, I paid fees to expedite and next day shipping. Received passport 3/24, one week before my trip.
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Expedited Service
Type of Application:
Expedited Service
Application Date:
2023-02-07
Received Date:
2023-03-16
Application Method:
Paper Application
Passport Agency:
I do not know
Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Type of Application:
Expedited Service
Application Date:
2023-02-14
Received Date:
2023-03-25
Application Method:
Paper Application
Passport Agency:
Philadelphia Passport Agency
Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Optional Comments:
Online applications were not taken at time of applying for renewal (redirected to use mail in service). Applied for passport book and card. Paid for expedited service and it sill took almost 6 weeks. Also, only received passport book in the priority mail envelope, no sign of the passport card yet.
Type of Application:
Expedited Service
Application Date:
2023-02-14
Received Date:
2023-03-17
Application Method:
Paper Application
Passport Agency:
I do not know
Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
Optional Comments:
Applied for expedited first time passport service on 2/14/23, showed as received/processing on 2/21/23, received on 3/14/23.
Type of Application:
Expedited Service
Application Date:
2023-02-10
Received Date:
2023-02-15
Application Method:
Paper Application
Passport Agency:
Houston Passport Agency
Experience:
2 Star – Stressful
Optional Comments:
Applied for three first time passports for my kids expedited. Stuck in process since 2-15. Two weeks before travel I was able to get an in person appointment but two days later the status showed as shipped. I definitely think making that in person appointment is what got the passports moving
Type of Application:
Expedited Service
Application Date:
2023-01-21
Received Date:
2023-03-17
Application Method:
Online Application
Passport Agency:
Chicago Passport Agency
Experience:
1 Star – Very Stressful
Optional Comments:
Online passport application was a nightmare. When I submitted my application online, it quoted 3-5 weeks with expedited. At week 7, I had to get my senator involved to receive it at week 8, just days before my travel. I spent 7.5 hours on hold one day trying to ask for an in-person appointment. On March 9, I inquired about an in person appointment and they said if you mailed it in you could get an appointment 14 days out but online applicants had to wait to 5 days prior to travel. People reported no appointments available and one was flying to Hawaii from west coast. How’s that a fair process?
Type of Application:
Expedited Service
Application Date:
2023-01-27
Received Date:
2023-03-23
Application Method:
Online Application
Passport Agency:
Western Passport Center
Experience:
4 Star – Easy
Type of Application:
Expedited Service
Application Date:
2023-02-22
Received Date:
2023-03-23
Application Method:
Paper Application
Passport Agency:
I do not know
Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
First Child Passport (Under 16)
Type of Application:
First Child Passport (Under 16)
Application Date:
2022-06-27
Received Date:
2022-07-24
Passport Agency:
I do not know
Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy
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Just mailed my application week of march 20 2023. Expedited. It says 5-7 weeks for expedited but based on all of your posts it sounds consistently very close to 5 weeks from sent to received for expedited and mailed. This is a relief since I have travel just over 6 weeks from application (I have never actually had a passport take that long to get and this will be my third one.) I couldn’t send it earlier because I was taking a couple trips spread out over the months just before I sent it in. I also listed my upcoming travel days so we shall see. I will let everyone know when I get it. I travel a lot so it makes it really complicated to figure out a window to send it in when they take so much time completing it.