Rush passport renewal—best options?
October 1, 2023 11:23 AM Subscribe
I messed up big time and forgot to check my passport renewal date. Now I have international travel planned in about a month. It looks like I have two options and I’m wondering if anyone has experience with these?
1) In-person renewal at an office. I would need to drive at least two hours away and take time off work to do this. They also said that I can’t call to try and even get an appointment until Tuesday, and then it’s not guaranteed; also, the website says you can call in the 28-day window if a foreign visa is needed but I don’t think the country I’m traveling to requires a visa, so it’s possible I’d call or even show up and be told to try again in the 14-day emergency window.
2) FedEx “rushmypassport” option—just found this and it looks like I could get a renewal in 2 weeks for $500 plus the $200 renewal fee to the government. I’m leaning towards this but the woman I spoke to at the passport office before finding this didn’t mention it. Any experiences with this? Is it legit?
I’m panicking a bit at the moment and any advice on best options or success stories would be much appreciated. (Or any kind words! I'm really beating myself up about this major oversight.) This is a trip with a group so I can’t reschedule. Thanks for your help.
1) In-person renewal at an office. I would need to drive at least two hours away and take time off work to do this. They also said that I can’t call to try and even get an appointment until Tuesday, and then it’s not guaranteed; also, the website says you can call in the 28-day window if a foreign visa is needed but I don’t think the country I’m traveling to requires a visa, so it’s possible I’d call or even show up and be told to try again in the 14-day emergency window.
2) FedEx “rushmypassport” option—just found this and it looks like I could get a renewal in 2 weeks for $500 plus the $200 renewal fee to the government. I’m leaning towards this but the woman I spoke to at the passport office before finding this didn’t mention it. Any experiences with this? Is it legit?
I’m panicking a bit at the moment and any advice on best options or success stories would be much appreciated. (Or any kind words! I'm really beating myself up about this major oversight.) This is a trip with a group so I can’t reschedule. Thanks for your help.
Best answer: Buy a new, refundable international ticket. Use that to make the consulate rush appointment. Refund the ticket when done. This is an allowable manoeuvre: the consular officer gave me the exact instructions.
In person only: I paid for the rush once, and it still got lost in the mail.
posted by dum spiro spero at 12:26 PM on October 1, 2023 [5 favorites]
In person only: I paid for the rush once, and it still got lost in the mail.
posted by dum spiro spero at 12:26 PM on October 1, 2023 [5 favorites]
I absolutely would not trust the FedEx thing. That smells like a scam preying on people in just your desperate situation to me.
If you can afford it, I agree that dum spiro spero's scheme is the lowest risk course of action. If you are within a reasonable drive of a border, making just a hotel reservation in a city just across the border is an even better option.
Sorry this happened to you! If it's any consolation, passport processing has been such an epic clusterfck this year that even if you'd done your renewal earlier you might not have been in a much better spot.
posted by potrzebie at 12:49 PM on October 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
If you can afford it, I agree that dum spiro spero's scheme is the lowest risk course of action. If you are within a reasonable drive of a border, making just a hotel reservation in a city just across the border is an even better option.
Sorry this happened to you! If it's any consolation, passport processing has been such an epic clusterfck this year that even if you'd done your renewal earlier you might not have been in a much better spot.
posted by potrzebie at 12:49 PM on October 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I successfully got an in-person appointment this summer (for a new passport, not a renewal) by jumping through a lot of hoops. It was hard to get through to the call center due to high call volume, not sure if that has slowed down yet.
To get in the passport hotline's phone queue, you might have to call around 7:59 AM Eastern time (only thing that worked for me) or possibly during a low volume time in the afternoon. The hold times are long, but yes, it actually worked to leave a callback number rather than stay on the line when given the option. (I didn't request an in-person appointment at that time because I thought there was time to eke it out by adding rush processing to my actual app, but that's why I ended up jumping through the second hoop.)
The thing that actually made a difference for me was contacting my US senator - this was not a personal appeal or a terrifying process, she had a page on passport assistance on her website and I filled out the web form and was contacted by a staffer via email the next day. Through that process I was able to get an in-person appointment, but not a convenient one: I had to drive to Minneapolis even though I live an hour away from the Chicago office. But hey, it's an option.
posted by fountainofdoubt at 12:50 PM on October 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
To get in the passport hotline's phone queue, you might have to call around 7:59 AM Eastern time (only thing that worked for me) or possibly during a low volume time in the afternoon. The hold times are long, but yes, it actually worked to leave a callback number rather than stay on the line when given the option. (I didn't request an in-person appointment at that time because I thought there was time to eke it out by adding rush processing to my actual app, but that's why I ended up jumping through the second hoop.)
The thing that actually made a difference for me was contacting my US senator - this was not a personal appeal or a terrifying process, she had a page on passport assistance on her website and I filled out the web form and was contacted by a staffer via email the next day. Through that process I was able to get an in-person appointment, but not a convenient one: I had to drive to Minneapolis even though I live an hour away from the Chicago office. But hey, it's an option.
posted by fountainofdoubt at 12:50 PM on October 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
FedEx seems to have partnered with RushMyPassport, as opposed to it being an actual FedEx service provided by their company. It is not a scam, per se.
It seems like they cut processing time primarily by sending the documents in at least very quickly, and receiving electronic notifications if there's something wrong instead of waiting for a mailed letter. Beyond that, the government claims you won't receive your passport any faster than if you go to an in-person appointment at an official passport agency, so it's probably not worth the cost.
posted by tubedogg at 1:02 PM on October 1, 2023
It seems like they cut processing time primarily by sending the documents in at least very quickly, and receiving electronic notifications if there's something wrong instead of waiting for a mailed letter. Beyond that, the government claims you won't receive your passport any faster than if you go to an in-person appointment at an official passport agency, so it's probably not worth the cost.
posted by tubedogg at 1:02 PM on October 1, 2023
I've never heard of this company before as well, but digging in it looks like the top-tier service for $800 (not counting US Dept of State fees) will hire a courier to stand in line at a processing center for you. Which may be an option if getting yourself to a center isn't a cheap or easy thing to do.
But otherwise they're just putting things in envelopes for you and submitting it to the correct location. And even with a courier I wouldn't trust those identifying documents out of my own hands.
Since an in-person visit is only two hours away for you, I'd skip the FedEx option and make plans to do it yourself.
posted by JoeZydeco at 1:08 PM on October 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
But otherwise they're just putting things in envelopes for you and submitting it to the correct location. And even with a courier I wouldn't trust those identifying documents out of my own hands.
Since an in-person visit is only two hours away for you, I'd skip the FedEx option and make plans to do it yourself.
posted by JoeZydeco at 1:08 PM on October 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I would absolutely not panic about this — obviously, you want to get right on it because a month is cutting it closer than you want to, but is actually not bad for getting a rush passport. I had a friend who went though the same thing with a week to go and it worked out fine.
One thing you might try if it gets closer and you don’t have your passport yet: call the office of your representative in Congress. This is actually one of the services they offer, although a lot of people don’t seem to be aware of this. It might not actually hurt to try that now, since I know from experience that Congressional staffers would rather have you call sooner than later.
posted by holborne at 1:16 PM on October 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
One thing you might try if it gets closer and you don’t have your passport yet: call the office of your representative in Congress. This is actually one of the services they offer, although a lot of people don’t seem to be aware of this. It might not actually hurt to try that now, since I know from experience that Congressional staffers would rather have you call sooner than later.
posted by holborne at 1:16 PM on October 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
The appointment line is insane but once you get someone they are nice and as helpful as they can, working with the gov appointment system.
I literally got on the wait queue, drove to an appointment, returned home, then finally connected. Tried again and answered on the second ring. And she found a slot in 30 minutes. Fastest drive into town evah.
crazy, yet possible.
posted by sammyo at 2:30 PM on October 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
I literally got on the wait queue, drove to an appointment, returned home, then finally connected. Tried again and answered on the second ring. And she found a slot in 30 minutes. Fastest drive into town evah.
crazy, yet possible.
posted by sammyo at 2:30 PM on October 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
I went through the process by following instructions on the .gov website and it took so long to get an appointment at a passport submission office or whatever tf they call it that I submitted my application (new passport, not renewal), on 6/29 for an international trip beginning on 8/10. I kept checking and checking and then 15 days before my flight I called the .gov office to see about expediting. They refused to talk to me until 13 days before my flight. I was all whatever but then I called 13 days before my flight and they said that they would put a rush on it "if the processing office will accept it (the rush)" -- I was like okay so what if that doesn't work? They said then you come in and expedite in person.
I got my passport with 5 days to spare. So I agree with holborne that this is manageable.
posted by janey47 at 2:35 PM on October 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
I got my passport with 5 days to spare. So I agree with holborne that this is manageable.
posted by janey47 at 2:35 PM on October 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I used rush my passport dot com back
In 2015 to renew my passport and get a brazil visa. It went smoothly back then. It was expensive, obviously, but I needed it bc I had a last minute opportunity to play on a tour. Ymmv obvs but rush my passport isn’t a scam in my experience. (Sorry, on mobile so excuse typos and lack of links.)
posted by capnsue at 4:08 PM on October 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
In 2015 to renew my passport and get a brazil visa. It went smoothly back then. It was expensive, obviously, but I needed it bc I had a last minute opportunity to play on a tour. Ymmv obvs but rush my passport isn’t a scam in my experience. (Sorry, on mobile so excuse typos and lack of links.)
posted by capnsue at 4:08 PM on October 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
I used RushMyPassport when my passport was going to expire back in 2020. It's legit, and at the time the expense was worth it to me.
posted by EvaDestruction at 4:34 PM on October 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by EvaDestruction at 4:34 PM on October 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Mr. Dash used the FedEx service this spring. It .... did what it says on the tin. It had lots of tracking at the various stages, which was reassuring.
posted by Dashy at 6:08 PM on October 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Dashy at 6:08 PM on October 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
I don’t think the country I’m traveling to requires a visa
Just a note that if you're traveling to the EU I think things have changed recently and you'll want to double-check the requirements.
posted by trig at 7:44 PM on October 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
Just a note that if you're traveling to the EU I think things have changed recently and you'll want to double-check the requirements.
posted by trig at 7:44 PM on October 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
ETIAS for American Citizens
ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of these 30 European countries. It is linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation.
With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays - normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 2:03 AM on October 2, 2023
ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of these 30 European countries. It is linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorisation.
With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays - normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 2:03 AM on October 2, 2023
Per They sucked his brains out!’s link ETIAS does not go into effect until 2024 (some news articles suggest it may be delayed further) so would not be needed (or available) for an EU Schengen area trip a month away. But of course always good to double-check requirements in general!
posted by beryllium at 4:48 AM on October 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by beryllium at 4:48 AM on October 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
Seconding the contact-your-senator-or-House-representative option. While I had sent my passport paperwork in on time, I got caught in the months-long delays and a few phone calls from my House rep’s office (because I haaaate both my senators…I live in Texas) got the paperwork expedited.
posted by telophase at 5:33 AM on October 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by telophase at 5:33 AM on October 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks, everyone. I decided to opt for the FedEx option after hearing that some people had used it successfully, and also considering the potential cost of a hotel room or need to drive back next day to pick up the passport—or the possibility that my appointment might end up being not at the nearest office but a farther one, like the Minneapolis/Chicago example, or that I might not get an appointment in time at all.
Considering all that, the stress factor, and also needing to take off time from work to deal with it, the cost of RushMyPassport was actually less outrageous than it felt at first. Dropped it off yesterday. They claim I’ll have it back about 7 days before my trip. The woman I talked to at RushMyPassport said “oh, the two weeks is 14 BUSINESS days” which I think is a bit misleading, but she also said she had no concerns about me getting it back in time barring something like a major national natural disaster.
I’ll keep the option of contacting my senator in mind in case things get sticky!
(Getting the RushMyPassport thing done was a minor nightmare itself—had to go to the FedEx office THREE times; first, they refused to take my passport photo because my shirt was “too light” despite me showing them an example photo from the official State Department website of someone in a white shirt, so I had to drive to the nearest Target and buy an emergency colored shirt.
And then, only after selecting the option to ship that day before 3 pm and checking the box saying “I understand if I miss my shipping window I’ll be charged in full anyway” I discovered you need to send a check or money order to pay the government for the passport renewal, and since I had neither, I had to drive home to get my checkbook anyway and drive back to FedEx again. Plus my printer died and I had to get everything printed out at FedEx.
Imagine if I’d accidentally showed up without my checkbook at the passport office, though! At least FedEx is only about 15 minutes from home.
In case anyone in the future is in a similar situation and reading this, make sure you fill out the forms online at home first, bring your checkbook, and wear a plain colored shirt if you opt to get your photos taken at FedEx.)
posted by music for skeletons at 5:55 AM on October 3, 2023
Considering all that, the stress factor, and also needing to take off time from work to deal with it, the cost of RushMyPassport was actually less outrageous than it felt at first. Dropped it off yesterday. They claim I’ll have it back about 7 days before my trip. The woman I talked to at RushMyPassport said “oh, the two weeks is 14 BUSINESS days” which I think is a bit misleading, but she also said she had no concerns about me getting it back in time barring something like a major national natural disaster.
I’ll keep the option of contacting my senator in mind in case things get sticky!
(Getting the RushMyPassport thing done was a minor nightmare itself—had to go to the FedEx office THREE times; first, they refused to take my passport photo because my shirt was “too light” despite me showing them an example photo from the official State Department website of someone in a white shirt, so I had to drive to the nearest Target and buy an emergency colored shirt.
And then, only after selecting the option to ship that day before 3 pm and checking the box saying “I understand if I miss my shipping window I’ll be charged in full anyway” I discovered you need to send a check or money order to pay the government for the passport renewal, and since I had neither, I had to drive home to get my checkbook anyway and drive back to FedEx again. Plus my printer died and I had to get everything printed out at FedEx.
Imagine if I’d accidentally showed up without my checkbook at the passport office, though! At least FedEx is only about 15 minutes from home.
In case anyone in the future is in a similar situation and reading this, make sure you fill out the forms online at home first, bring your checkbook, and wear a plain colored shirt if you opt to get your photos taken at FedEx.)
posted by music for skeletons at 5:55 AM on October 3, 2023
Response by poster: Update: the RushMyPassport option worked:
Submitted Oct 3
ETA Oct 26
Actually received my passport Oct 14
Total TAT of 11 days (8 business days) for the 2-week rush option
I’m satisfied with this although it was pricey! Worth the peace of mind and not having to travel to do the renewal. The equation might be different for someone in a city with a passport office. Worth noting the appointment they ended up getting was in Washington DC while my closest office would have been Chicago.
posted by music for skeletons at 12:56 PM on October 31, 2023
Submitted Oct 3
ETA Oct 26
Actually received my passport Oct 14
Total TAT of 11 days (8 business days) for the 2-week rush option
I’m satisfied with this although it was pricey! Worth the peace of mind and not having to travel to do the renewal. The equation might be different for someone in a city with a passport office. Worth noting the appointment they ended up getting was in Washington DC while my closest office would have been Chicago.
posted by music for skeletons at 12:56 PM on October 31, 2023
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