smartypants71
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Post by smartypants71 on Jan 11, 2016 17:46:09 GMT
Update: So my cheap self decided not to pay for expediting it since I figured my travel plans were more flexible than my bank account  I mailed it on January 13th, and I just got an email that I will be receiving it on the 29th. I did pay for overnight shipping home, since I wanted to make sure I could track it. Yesterday, I entered a local contest for a women's only spa retreat in Belize and you have to travel on a specific date in February. I was just thinking that it would be just my luck that I would win the contest and wouldn't be able to go! Anyway, it looks like the going time for passport renewals is right around 2 weeks if you have everything filled out correctly. ----------------------------------------------------- My passport expires in July of this year. We have a trip planned for June, so I figured I'd renew next month or the month after. Well, SO has surprised me with a trip to Mexico City for Valentine's Day. We are right at four weeks out. I'm right on the cusp of having to expedite, but I really don't want to pay the extra $60 if I don't have to. Does anyone know what the average wait is right now? |
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Post by jemmls4 on Jan 11, 2016 17:57:07 GMT
Not sure, but I'd pay the expedited fee. Tons of people are renewing or getting a passport for the first time because of the DL issues in some states.
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Post by bc2ca on Jan 11, 2016 18:07:29 GMT
With 4-6 weeks processing time I would definitely pay to expedite my renewal.
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melissa
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Post by melissa on Jan 11, 2016 18:07:42 GMT
I would also expedite to be on the safe side
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TXMary
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Post by TXMary on Jan 11, 2016 18:11:43 GMT
I would pay extra. We renewed ours either last year or the year before. I can't remember. Dropped them both into the mailbox at the exact same time. Mine came back in a couple of weeks. Took over a month for DH's. We had plenty of time but still were worried since they wen't out together, but it just took longer. Ended up on the wrong desk, I guess. lol It's very unpredictable. I would definitely pay!
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Post by cmpeter on Jan 11, 2016 18:29:59 GMT
DH just did his mid-December. He got it back within two weeks.
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suzastampin
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Post by suzastampin on Jan 11, 2016 19:32:39 GMT
My passport expires in July of this year. We have a trip planned for June, so I figured I'd renew next month or the month after. Well, SO has surprised me with a trip to Mexico City for Valentine's Day. We are right at four weeks out. I'm right on the cusp of having to expedite, but I really don't want to pay the extra $60 if I don't have to. Does anyone know what the average wait is right now? If it doesn't expire until July and you are going in February, isn't the one you have still good to go to Mexico with? |
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smartypants71
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Post by smartypants71 on Jan 11, 2016 19:38:09 GMT
My passport expires in July of this year. We have a trip planned for June, so I figured I'd renew next month or the month after. Well, SO has surprised me with a trip to Mexico City for Valentine's Day. We are right at four weeks out. I'm right on the cusp of having to expedite, but I really don't want to pay the extra $60 if I don't have to. Does anyone know what the average wait is right now? If it doesn't expire until July and you are going in February, isn't the one you have still good to go to Mexico with? I think you have to have 6 months left on your passport which I believe is because a Mexican tourist visa is good for 180 days. |
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Post by elaine on Jan 11, 2016 19:55:31 GMT
2006 was the first year you needed a passport to travel to Mexico from the USA. That was 10 years ago and all those passports are up,for renewal this year. I'm going back to Israel in the fall and mine expires in August. I'm planning on renewing it in March so as to not have to worry over processing time.
You should definitely expedite.
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Post by jemmls4 on Jan 11, 2016 19:56:05 GMT
Yep, your passport has to be good 6 months out from your trip.
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smartypants71
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Post by smartypants71 on Jan 11, 2016 20:03:09 GMT
2006 was the first year you needed a passport to travel to Mexico from the USA. That was 10 years ago and all those passports are up,for renewal this year. I'm going back to Israel in the fall and mine expires in August. I'm planning on renewing it in March so as to not have to worry over processing time. You should definitely expedite. Wow! Has it really been that long? My last one was a renewal also, but my company handled it. This will be the first time I'm doing it for myself. Getting a drivers license is so much easier! |
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Post by Really Red on Jan 11, 2016 21:17:56 GMT
Mine was last fall and less than 2 weeks, however for any surprise visit like that, I'd expedite!! Worth the money just in case. Still, I'd go online to see if you can travel with a passport that expires before 6 months are up. If you're flying, you may just have to show your return flight?
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Post by scrapperal on Jan 11, 2016 21:27:35 GMT
I'd expedite, just for peace of mind (and I hate spending anything extra!).
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Post by cadoodlebug on Jan 11, 2016 21:32:54 GMT
We renewed ours in the fall. They cashed our check immediately but it was at least 5-6 weeks before we received our passports. I'd err on the side of caution and pay the fee.
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Post by Merge on Jan 11, 2016 21:33:45 GMT
We applied for ours Dec 23rd and got them this past Friday, January 8th.
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suzastampin
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Post by suzastampin on Jan 11, 2016 21:38:24 GMT
If it doesn't expire until July and you are going in February, isn't the one you have still good to go to Mexico with? I think you have to have 6 months left on your passport which I believe is because a Mexican tourist visa is good for 180 days. Oh, I didn't realize that. Good to know. |
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Post by magentapea on Jan 11, 2016 21:38:28 GMT
I would expedite. I just sent mine and DH's in last Monday, expedited service because we are going on a trip over Valentine's weekend, and I didn't want to risk it. We received both passports back on Saturday. Expedited is very quick, but I wouldn't want to risk not getting it back in time.
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smartypants71
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Post by smartypants71 on Jan 11, 2016 21:47:30 GMT
Someone just informed me that the Pope is going to be in Mexico City that same weekend. I'm going to see if SO and the other couple we are traveling with are willing to postpone for another week or two. I would imagine that with the Pope in town, things will be a bit crazy down there!
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Post by christine58 on Jan 11, 2016 21:49:24 GMT
Someone just informed me that the Pope is going to be in Mexico City that same weekend. I'm going to see if SO and the other couple we are traveling with are willing to postpone for another week or two. I would imagine that with the Pope in town, things will be a bit crazy down there! OMG it will be a zoo....go another time if you can. |
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smartypants71
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Post by smartypants71 on Jan 11, 2016 21:53:15 GMT
Someone just informed me that the Pope is going to be in Mexico City that same weekend. I'm going to see if SO and the other couple we are traveling with are willing to postpone for another week or two. I would imagine that with the Pope in town, things will be a bit crazy down there! OMG it will be a zoo....go another time if you can. We are on a Southwest Airlines flight, so it will be easy to switch. Love that airline! |
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GiantsFan
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Post by GiantsFan on Jan 11, 2016 22:02:10 GMT
If you live near one of the passport agency offices, not just a post office, you could just go there and do it in one day.
My sister booked a trip to Mexico not realizing she needed a passport. She went to the San Francisco office and got hers (not a renewal) the same day. They did have to stand in line, then pick it up later in the day. But it was worth it because their flight was the next morning!
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Post by 950nancy on Jan 11, 2016 22:50:11 GMT
Pay the fee. It is not worth the hassle and sometimes there is a screw up on their part and it takes too long. Last year mine took a good eight weeks to get back. My son just renewed his for a March trip. It is nine weeks away. All should go well, but you just don't know.
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rhiansmom
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Post by rhiansmom on Jan 12, 2016 0:44:45 GMT
I sent mine in just over three weeks ago and it is still "processing"
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Post by moonglowe21 on Jan 12, 2016 1:05:02 GMT
We just did ours last summer and while it didn't take as long as they say, I would definitely expedite in your case just to be safe since you just never know. Hope you have a great trip!!
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Post by christine58 on Jan 12, 2016 1:31:53 GMT
OMG it will be a zoo....go another time if you can. We are on a Southwest Airlines flight, so it will be easy to switch. Love that airline! Me too!!! |
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azredhead
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Post by azredhead on Jan 12, 2016 1:41:31 GMT
I have to get mine done for a trip in June. I just have to renew mine but we may have to expedite Dh's since he will need to do a new one and his birth certificate is a different state for you that soon I would expedite too to be safe.. Have a fun trip!
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Post by Charlotte on Jan 12, 2016 2:07:36 GMT
I paid to expedite a NEW Passport. I went in on New Years Eve and I got it on Friday. So - six business days. We are traveling at the end of February and I didn't want to risk it.  |
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Jan 12, 2016 2:30:51 GMT
Gosh you just reminded me to check DD's I think I renewed it not long after we moved here.. and we moved here 5 years ago!
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Post by meridon on Jan 12, 2016 3:00:06 GMT
I was quoted 4-6 weeks and got mine in about three. I just renewed mine back in November for a trip I'm leaving on in two days.
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Post by librarylady on Jan 12, 2016 3:20:44 GMT
Warning: If your husband has to renew his, send the passports in separate envelopes.
I put them in the same envelope with one check--and the check ws clearly marked for 2 passports/names etc.
They took the money, expedited his and sent me a letter saying "You have to send money." --even though the amount on my check did not match the fees (except for 2 renewals).
When I telephoned to explain/complain, I had to pay in advance a fee to talk to someone!!!!! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Then, I had to send copy of front/back of check to prove what I said was true.
Needless to say, it took the entire 6 weeks and more.
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I mailed it on January 13th, and I just got an email that I will be receiving it on the 29th. I did pay for overnight shipping home, since I wanted to make sure I could track it.
