April 18, 2023

US Passport Application Experiences 04/18/23

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:
2023-02-15

Received Date:
2023-04-17

Application Method:
Paper Application

Passport Agency:
I do not know

Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Type of Application:
First U.S Adult Passport

Application Date:
2023-02-07

Received Date:
2023-04-18

Application Method:
Paper Application

Passport Agency:
Houston Passport Agency

Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Optional Comments:
It was frustrating because the passport status was showing as “not available” for almost a month after submitting the application.

Adult Renewal Passport

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Application Date:
2023-02-06

Received Date:
2023-04-15

Application Method:
Online Application

Passport Agency:
I do not know

Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Application Date:
2023-02-05

Received Date:
2023-04-15

Application Method:
Online Application

Passport Agency:
I do not know

Experience:
3 Star – Average

Optional Comments:
2/05 – Applied Online
2/07 – Updated to in process (under review). This part takes the longest and you really have no clue how long it will actually take. Originally when I submitted my application online, it was 6 – 9 weeks. But that changed to 8 – 11 weeks the following day.
4/13 – Received notification the passport was shipped
4/15 – Arrived via priority mail

Overall, it took a little more than 10 weeks. Heard a lot of complaints about the online process and were a bit nervous based on some of the comments. But unless you’re in need of flying (no flight plans till the summer), my suggestion would be to mail in your applications. Some of my friends did the mailing option around the same time as me and got the passport back in a little over 8 weeks.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Application Date:
2023-02-02

Received Date:
2023-04-15

Application Method:
Online Application

Passport Agency:
I do not know

Experience:
3 Star – Average

Optional Comments:
Applied online on 2/2/23. Status update as received on 2/3/23. No further updates until 4/12/23 when status was updated to shipped. Received passport on 4/15/2023. My advice is to go the paper route. If you apply online and call the 800#, you are put on a further hold to speak with a online CSR.

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Application Date:
2023-02-08

Received Date:
2023-04-15

Application Method:
Online Application

Passport Agency:
I do not know

Experience:
4 Star – Easy

Type of Application:
Adult Passport Renewal

Application Date:
2023-02-09

Received Date:
2023-04-18

Application Method:
Online Application

Passport Agency:
National Passport Center

Experience:
2 Star – Stressful

Optional Comments:
My passport renewal application was submitted on 2/9/23.
Changed to “in process” on 2/18/23.
I started to get nervous so I continuously checked the network data (see Reddit forum about online application F12 trick) and nothing updated.
On 3/31 I paid for expedited shipping, hoping that would move it along. Nothing.
On 4/6 I reached out to my Senator’s office. Told them my travel date was 5/1 and they basically received a similar message. Just that it was still in progress at the National Passport Agency.
On 4/13 I followed up with my Senator’s office and miraculously, on 4/14 the network data said my passport was “in fulfillment.”
On 4/16 the status updated to “printing.”
On 4/17 I received a shipment notification sometime during the evening
On 4/18: Passport in hand.

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Expedited Service

Type of Application:
Expedited Service

Application Date:
2023-02-08

Received Date:
2023-03-25

Application Method:
Online Application

Passport Agency:
Boston Passport Agency

Experience:
2 Star – Stressful

Type of Application:
Expedited Service

Application Date:
2023-03-10

Received Date:
2023-04-17

Application Method:
Paper Application

Passport Agency:
National Passport Center

Experience:
5 Star – Very Easy

Type of Application:
Expedited Service

Application Date:
2023-03-07

Received Date:
2023-04-21

Application Method:
Paper Application

Passport Agency:
Buffalo Passport Agency

Experience:
3 Star – Average

Optional Comments:
Applied – March 7th, 2023
Application Received – March 9th
Application Processing – March 13th
Application Shipped – March 18th
Expected Passport Delivery – March 21th

Passport began processing on March 13th and stayed in processing for 5 weeks. I contacted my local congressman and senator to assist getting my passport in time for my trip. They were very helpful and I believe if I didn’t get any help I would’ve missed my international trip scheduled for May 25th.

I submitted privacy form for both offices on Thursday afternoon. I received responses on Monday they were able to get in contact with the agency processing my passport. Tuesday the passport switch from processing to shipped.

One Reply to “US Passport Application Experiences 04/18/23”

  1. Larry Blackwell says: 04/19/2023 at 7:18 pm

    I found out something that may help many people. When going online to check the status of your application as you enter your last name be sure and back space. Once I did this my status came up as processing. It shows not available if I didn’t back space one time on my last name. That’s crazy and can cause so much anxiety and calls not needed

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