Urgent passport needs - how screwed am I?

June 9, 2022 7:26 AM

Ugh. My son is signed up for a really cool leadership camp in Canada the week of July 4th (we live in WI). He has a passport but I *just* realized that it expired in May of 2022 (he's 15).

I see that there is a "Urgent Travel Service" option to get a passport quickly, with the nearest office in Chicago (3.5 hours away). I'm calling to make an appointment today (but the appt has to be within 14 days of travel) and I'm somewhat freaking out that I'll get there for the appointment and forget something or have written in the wrong ink and it's all going to fall apart.

Does anyone have experience with this process that can talk me down?

posted by Twicketface to Travel & Transportation (19 answers total)

My son had to get an expedited passport before going to study abroad. He went down for an in-person appointment (in DC) and I think the new passport was sent by Fedex within a couple weeks. This was right before the pandemic (around December 2019?). Not sure what's happening now though. Good luck!
posted by jraz at 7:32 AM on June 9, 2022

The process itself is easy. Getting an appointment was the hard part (trying to use the online system last summer the appointments booked within seconds), but it sounds like they have fixed that.

Once you're there they are very helpful and the process is smooth in my experience (I went to the passport agency in Boston 3 or 4 years ago, my partner went to the one in NH last summer).

They will either mail your passport to you or have you come back later that day to pick it up, depending on your date of travel.
posted by geegollygosh at 7:39 AM on June 9, 2022

When I used the passport office in Buffalo, everything was very smooth and easy and simple, and the online tools tell you pretty specifically what you need to bring. If you print that out, you can use it as a checklist to get everything ready and again as a different checklist when you're leaving the house.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 7:41 AM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

(I suppose I should mention that having to deal with INS/USCIS in the past has kinda reset my bar for difficult bureaucracy)
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 7:42 AM on June 9, 2022

I got a passport issued in one day, I spent all day at the office and had a friend with me who was my witness (I didn't have any identification documents). I had to call and find the office that had appointments available, and I think it was more expensive to have it expedited. This was back in 2015 or 2016.
posted by Locochona at 7:42 AM on June 9, 2022

I got a same-day passport from the local office in 2019. It was stressful and pricey, but not terrible. At one point, I had something messed up in my paperwork; they sent me outside to figure it out but let me jump the line when I figured it out. People were generally helpful and I got my passport on site the same day. It took a few hours; I can't remember if I had to go elsewhere and wait for the passport.
posted by quadrilaterals at 7:49 AM on June 9, 2022

For a minor's passport applications remember that both parents need to consent (absent single custody, which would also have to be proven). If both parents can't be present, then there is Statement of Consent paperwork that needs to be filled out.
posted by zeikka at 8:02 AM on June 9, 2022 [3 favorites]

I run a travel company and helped two people navigate this process just last week. If you have an appointment that's half the battle right there. You will probably be required to show proof of imminent travel, some kind of official document from the travel company, confirmation, accommodation info with his name on it, something like that.

Are you making an appointment with the actual passport office or a service promising fast passports? Actual US passport offices are the way to go if you can, you walk out with a passport in-hand.
posted by danapiper at 8:48 AM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I am a Notary Public; I am not your Notary Public.

If you need a Notary Public for any of the forms, like the Statement of Consent? They can be found at most banks and UPS offices. Just call ahead to make sure they're actually there. And some banks won't notarize forms for you if you're not a member.

I just looked, and the Statement of Consent must be notarized.
posted by spinifex23 at 9:26 AM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

For a minor's passport applications remember that both parents need to consent

You should also have all of your documentation available for you and your spouse. I'd bring birth certificates and copies of your marriage license with the appropriate seals and stamps on it from the relevant city/county authority. Be willing to part with a copy of the marriage license if they ask for it.
posted by JoeZydeco at 11:17 AM on June 9, 2022

Response by poster: Thanks, all, for weighing in. Unfortunately, I spoke with someone at the Chicago office and they've got zero appointments available before his trip. They said the closest place that has appointments is in Tuscan, which won't work logistically.

(Expensive) lesson learned!
posted by Twicketface at 11:29 AM on June 9, 2022

Try reaching out to your House representative before you give up. They can sometimes help with otherwise impossible passport situations.
posted by daisyace at 2:59 PM on June 9, 2022 [3 favorites]

Best answer: I am not an immigration lawyer, but the state department suggests that children under 16 ("entry, exit, and visa requirements") just need proof of citizenship, which you should be able to do via birth certificate? Call an embassy or something to double check that, obviously.
posted by joycehealy at 3:45 PM on June 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Definitely reach out to your House representative. I know it sounds ridiculous and like it won't work but I know two people who did it, and they both got same-week passports. Please try it before you give up!
posted by mercredi at 4:25 PM on June 9, 2022

The information on Canadian websites is inconsistent, but this page makes it appear that a birth certificate may be adequate for a land crossing. I would look into whether you even need the passport or if it is just recommended to avoid border delays.
posted by meinvt at 4:31 PM on June 9, 2022

Yes please don't give up! Agree that your Representative is your contact of last resort for this sort of thing. Get in touch! You've still got almost a month to get this figured out.
posted by potrzebie at 4:58 PM on June 9, 2022

Nthing House representative. Signed, Shiny New Passport
posted by cyndigo at 5:34 PM on June 9, 2022

Response by poster: Ok, y'all are giving me a glimmer of hope! Will keep digging and see if my Rep can assist and/or if he only needs his birth certificate. Thank you thank you thank you!
posted by Twicketface at 6:39 PM on June 9, 2022

Best answer: If he is travelling by land, he only needs a birth certificate as long as he doesn't turn 16 before he returns, but by air he needs a passport.

Confusingly, it's actually only the US rules that are important here, because Canada does not actually legally require US citizens travelling by land to have a passport — but in practice Canada's requirement is whatever the US requires for re-entry (i.e. a passport for adults, birth certificate for under 16s) because Canada won't let you into the country if you won't be able to leave again.
posted by ssg at 8:04 PM on June 9, 2022