How quickly can I get a passport?

T

txtxyeha

250+ Posts
Got an opportunity to travel abroad this July, but ain't got no papers. How long does it take to get a passport?
 
It's been almost 9 years since i renewed mine, but for travel in July you should be OK by going through the normal application porcess.

I think there is a process where you can speed it up, but that costs more money.

I want to say it takes about 6 weeks for the normal process, but i could be way off. A lot could have changed since I renewed last.
 
I would verify the 6 week time. This was the normal case for a long time, but I thought I have heard recently it was taking a lot longer.
You used to be able to get one same day if you went in person to the Houston office; don't know if this is still true or not.
 
Don't know the exact time, but you can pay an extra fee and get it "expedited". Knowing the govenment that will probably reduce you from 12 weeks to 10 1/2.

Look around at the smaller communities that have an office. Some have no line at all. The lines at the post offices in Houston are huge.
 
I just had to get one and it took approximately 4 to 6 weeks through the normal channels. Went down to the post office and applied. They then sent off the application and picture. Be sure to take your birth certificate.
 
I got mine, renewed after having it stolen with my computer bag, in about 3 weeks going through the post office.

My original passport I got in about 3 days. Called the regional passport office in Houston, made my appointment for 3 days later, got it the same day.(this was in 1999, pre 9-11, pre-background checks or whatever they do now that takes longer)
 
The backlog has been cleared. I did it two months ago thru the post office, regular service, and got it in 3 weeks. My wife did hers a week before me expedited service thru the post office and got it in less than a week.
 
I recently lost mine and had to get a new one. I did not expedite, and had it within two weeks. I think this has been pretty standard lately.
 
I got one for the first time a little more than a year ago and I got it back in a couple of weeks. I didn't pay extra, I just went tot he Post Office. I was shocked at how fast it was.
 
I'm hoping it will take just 2-3 weeks - there aren't as many people traveling and the backlog did clear. We're waiting for my wife's passport - dropped it off 1 1/2 weeks ago and we need it for mid-June.
 
the passport ppl are so incompetent it's amazing anyone ever gets their passport. i was supposed to go to cancun may 6th. took my app to the post office on 6th and guad. april 9th. lady there told me to not expedite. she said to call 2 weeks before my travel date, if it wasn't being processed, i could pay to have it expedited. she also told me i didn't need to send my old passport in (my old one was mutilated - water damaged - and i had to get it replaced)

i called on the 21st. 2 weeks before. they didn't have anything on it, so i told them i wanted to expedite. the lady on the phone told me the cost to get the app expedited and next day shipping ($75). i said do it. gave her my cc info. there was an awkward pause, then she said that was it and the charge would be processed at the end of the day.

i called april 29, april 30, may 1 and may 4. the first 3 days, i was told it was being processed and they told me it was indeed being expedited. may 4th the lady told me it was mailed out that day first class mail. when i asked why it wasn't over-nighted, she said she didn't know and she didn't have any information. said 3-5 days. i assumed it was coming from houston, so i would have it the next day.

*travel plans got canceled (wedding was canceled b/c of flu). i was set to go to cabo on the 10th. i called back on the 5th. found out that my application had been marked expedited on it. but nothing else was done. they didn't submit it to be expedited and didn't charge my credit card. i asked if i could go to houston that saturday if i needed to. i couldn't b/c a passport was being sent to me. it came that friday, the 8th. if that wedding hadn't been canceled, i would have been up a creek.

if you're going in june, i would definitely get that taken care of today. don't mess around. if it's close, expedite from the start. if you're going in july, do it today.
 
Me and my wife just got ours. Mine took 3 weeks and my wife got hers in two(expedited). I think it was 40 bucks extra.
 
Just got one for my 2 year old. Went to Houston downtown post office, didn't pay any exediting fee, just gave them travel itenerary and got it back in 10 days. As mentioned earlier, you can expedite it and get it in less than week.
 
If you live in Houston, you can get it pretty quickly. You have to call to set up an appointment, go to the Mickey Leland building at the time of your appointment, and I think they either turn it around right away, or it takes a couple of hours. There is an extra fee, but it is worth it if you have to have it before a certain date.

At least that is how it worked about three years ago when I renewed mine.
 
You can have it expedited for a fee. A guy in my office had to travel internationally a few weeks ago and he didnt have his passport. He got one in a little over a week. Not sure what it cost. Im pretty sure that the company has a service for these things.
 
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