Passport Application

Lugn · September 17, 2010

Dear VJ'rs,

I have received a request to appear for my oath ceremony on a Thursday in October. My predicament is that I am currently on an overseas assignment and will need to leave the U.S. and return to work as soon as possible. What are my options to expedite the passport application?

I have read about companies that offer 24hr passport services, but to be honest, the websites I have found don't instill much confidence in me...

Also, if I attend an oath ceremony on a Thursday, is it actually possible to have the passport in hand the next day?

On the bright side; I am really happy with the quick turnaround time, as it gives me an opportunity to exercise one of my my rights as a citizen - vote in an election!

Thanks!

marriedtomrg · September 17, 2010

Did a quick Google search and here are the processing times for a US passport: http://travel.state.gov/passport/processing/processing_1740.html

Hope that helps.

Dear VJ'rs,

I have received a request to appear for my oath ceremony on a Thursday in October. My predicament is that I am currently on an overseas assignment and will need to leave the U.S. and return to work as soon as possible. What are my options to expedite the passport application?

I have read about companies that offer 24hr passport services, but to be honest, the websites I have found don't instill much confidence in me...

Also, if I attend an oath ceremony on a Thursday, is it actually possible to have the passport in hand the next day?

On the bright side; I am really happy with the quick turnaround time, as it gives me an opportunity to exercise one of my my rights as a citizen - vote in an election!

Thanks!

Lugn · September 17, 2010

Did a quick Google search and here are the processing times for a US passport: http://travel.state.gov/passport/processing/processing_1740.html

Hope that helps.

Thanks!

So, I looked at the available passport agencies, and some of them state "This Agency now issues the US Passport Card on-site!"

Does that mean that I can make an appointment, pay the extra $60 and walk out with a passport the same day??

http://travel.state.gov/passport/npic/agencies/agencies_913.html

NickD · September 17, 2010

Thousands of these so-call 3rd party expedited passport companies on the web, only the DOS can issue a passport, and why pay extra to have some flunk screw things up for you. Have your application filled out, need your original Naturalization Certificate, and two professional passport photos and make a direct appointment with any of the same day agencies listed below. Also need your plane ticket.

Boston Passport Agency
This Agency now issues the US Passport Card on-site!
Thomas P. O'Neill Federal Building
10 Causeway Street,
Suite 247
Boston, MA 02222-1094
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., local time, M-F, excluding Federal holidays Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
Chicago Passport Agency
This Agency now issues the US Passport Card on-site!
Kluczynski Federal Building
230 S. Dearborn Street,
18th Floor
Chicago, IL 60604-1564
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., local time, M-F, excluding Federal holidays Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
Colorado Passport Agency
Cherry Creek III
3151 South Vaughn Way, Suite 600
Aurora, CO 80014
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., local time, M-F, excluding Federal holidays Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
Connecticut Passport Agency
50 Washington Street
Norwalk, CT 06854
Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., local time, M-F, excluding Federal holidays Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1 (877) 487-2778
Dallas Passport Agency
This Agency now issues the US Passport Card on-site!
Earle Cabell Federal Building
1100 Commerce St, Suite 1120
Dallas, TX 75242 Hours: 8:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m., Local Time, M-F, excluding Federal holidays. Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
Detroit Passport Agency
This Agency now issues the US Passport Card on-site!
211 West Fort Street, 2nd floor
Detroit, MI 48226-3269 Hours: 9:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m., Local Time, M-F, excluding Federal holidays Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
Honolulu Passport Agency
Prince Kuhio Federal Building
300 Ala Moana Blvd.
Suite 1-330
Honolulu, HI 96850
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., local time, M-F, excluding Federal holidays Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1 (877) 487-2778
Houston Passport Agency
This Agency now issues the US Passport Card on-site!
Mickey Leland Federal Building
1919 Smith Street
4th Floor
Houston, TX 77002-8049
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., local time, M-F, excluding Federal holidays Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
Los Angeles Passport Agency
This Agency now issues the US Passport Card on-site!
Federal Building
11000 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 1000
Los Angeles, CA 90024-3615
Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., local time, M-F, excluding Federal holidays Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
Miami Passport Agency
This Agency now issues the US Passport Card on-site!
Omni Center
1501 Biscayne Boulevard
Suite 210
Miami, FL 33132
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., local time, M-F, excluding Federal holidays Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
Minneapolis Passport Agency
This Agency now issues the US Passport Card on-site!
212 3rd Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m, local time, M, W-F, and Tuesdays 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., local time, excluding Federal holidays Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
New Orleans Passport Agency
One Canal Place (corner of Canal and North Peters Streets)
365 Canal Street, Suite 1300
New Orleans, LA 70130-6508 Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 12 p.m., local time, M-F, excluding Federal holidays Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
New York Passport Agency
This Agency now issues the US Passport Card on-site!
Great New York Federal Building
376 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014 Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., local time, M-F, excluding Federal holidays Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
Philadelphia Passport Agency
U.S. Custom House
200 Chestnut Street
Room 103
Philadelphia, PA 19106-2970 Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., local time, M-F, excluding Federal holidays Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
San Francisco Passport Agency
95 Hawthorne Street
5th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105-3901 Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., local time, M-F, excluding Federal holidays Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
Seattle Passport Agency
This Agency now issues the US Passport Card on-site!
Henry Jackson Federal Building
915 Second Avenue
Suite 992
Seattle, WA 98174-1091 Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., local time, M-F, excluding Federal holidays Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1-877-487-2778
Washington Passport Agency
1111 19th Street, N.W.
First Floor, Sidewalk Level
Washington, D.C. 20036 Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., local time, M-F, excluding Federal holidays Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1 (877) 487-2778
Western Passport Center
This Agency now issues the US Passport Card on-site!
Western Passport Center
7373 East Rosewood Street
Tucson, AZ 85710
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m, local time, M, T,TH, F and Wednesdays 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., local time, excluding Federal holidays
Schedule An Appointment 24/7: 1 (877) 487-2778
Special Issuance Agency
1111 19th Street, N.W. Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20036
Hours: 8:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., local time, M-F, excluding Federal holidays
Appointments: Contact Your Official Travel Office for Appointment Information

Lugn · September 30, 2010

OK - so I have made an appointment at one of the locations above for the day after my naturalization.

Can someone please confirm that they will hand me the passport the same day? I have a flight booked for 2 days later... :wacko:

NickD · September 30, 2010

OK - so I have made an appointment at one of the locations above for the day after my naturalization.

Can someone please confirm that they will hand me the passport the same day? I have a flight booked for 2 days later...

That is exactly the purpose of these service centers and you must bring your airline tickets with you as well as your US citizen certificate. Now you can download the passport application form and completely fill it out with the exception of signing it. Do that in front of the officer. I am in the habit of double sided printed to save on paper and mailing costs, but they don't want that, want all single sheets, actually easier to do. Can also get a preprinted form from the many listed agents. Be prepared beforehand.

JoannaV · September 30, 2010

The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air.

So it is not the passport that they issue the same day. You might get it the same day (but I think the person who got it the same day was a renewal, not a new passport). When you apply for your passport they will overnight it to a review centre and then overnight it back to you. So having it in time for your flight is possible, maybe, and that is the purpose of these agencies so hopefully they will try their best to get it for you.

~krakatoa~ · September 30, 2010

OK - so I have made an appointment at one of the locations above for the day after my naturalization.

Can someone please confirm that they will hand me the passport the same day? I have a flight booked for 2 days later...

I also went to a regional passport agency (San Francisco) and paid the expedited fee. I got my passport after a few hours of waiting, went in in the AM to submit my application and picked-up the passport in the afternoon on the same day (the passport card came in the mail 4 days later since they do not manufacture it on site I was told, in SF, YMMV). I was sworn in as a USC on 9/21. My appointment with the regional passport agency was for 9/22 and my flight was on 9/23. YMMV but it's highly possible that you will get it same day like I did.

Good luck and have a safe trip!

milimelo · September 30, 2010

The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air.

So it is not the passport that they issue the same day. You might get it the same day (but I think the person who got it the same day was a renewal, not a new passport). When you apply for your passport they will overnight it to a review centre and then overnight it back to you. So having it in time for your flight is possible, maybe, and that is the purpose of these agencies so hopefully they will try their best to get it for you.

Not true - passport can be done really fast (less than couple of hrs) in the passport agency. Since he is traveling within 2 days they'll just tell him to go grab something to eat while they finish his passport.

Saddle Bronc · September 30, 2010

Dear VJ'rs,
I have received a request to appear for my oath ceremony on a Thursday in October. My predicament is that I am currently on an overseas assignment and will need to leave the U.S. and return to work as soon as possible. What are my options to expedite the passport application?

I have read about companies that offer 24hr passport services, but to be honest, the websites I have found don't instill much confidence in me...

Also, if I attend an oath ceremony on a Thursday, is it actually possible to have the passport in hand the next day?

On the bright side; I am really happy with the quick turnaround time, as it gives me an opportunity to exercise one of my my rights as a citizen - vote in an election!

Thanks!

How long do you need to be overseas? Also, does your erstwhile country allow dual-citizenship?

There is also another, albeit technically illegal, way--go overseas with your non-US passport but carry your Naturalisation Certificate with you--and use that to apply for a US passport at the Consulate/Embassy (note: the Consulate/Embassy will give you a class on that issue if you do it...).

Harpa Timsah · September 30, 2010

Confirm - I have gone to the passport agency and gotten my passport same day in Boston and (a close friend did in) New York, with a ticket that shows a valid airline ticket departing within 2 weeks. What those "same day agencies" do is go the the passport agency for you and do what you could do - for a giant fee. This service is not well advertised probably because they don't want people to abuse it. But it is there.

NickD · September 30, 2010

Confirm - I have gone to the passport agency and gotten my passport same day in Boston and (a close friend did in) New York, with a ticket that shows a valid airline ticket departing within 2 weeks. What those "same day agencies" do is go the the passport agency for you and do what you could do - for a giant fee. This service is not well advertised probably because they don't want people to abuse it. But it is there.

Department of state does call these same day agencies. What really would be nice if they relocated these agencies at that city's airport.

hhN400 · September 30, 2010

There is also another, albeit technically illegal, way--go overseas with your non-US passport but carry your Naturalisation Certificate with you--and use that to apply for a US passport at the Consulate/Embassy (note: the Consulate/Embassy will give you a class on that issue if you do it...).

Do not try this! It's not just illegal (and punishable by a fine), it's not possible unless the airline agents screw up in a major way. When you leave the country you need to show a foreign passport and (1) an I-94 form stapled into your passport or (2) your green card, or (3) a US passport. You meet none of these conditions if you are a citizen without passport, and if the airline agents do their jobs, they will catch you and at the very least deny you boarding. -- International law stipulates that entering or leaving a country you must use the passport of that country if you are a citizen of that country irrespective of how many other passports you may hold.

On a different note, there is no problem in getting a passport within a day for impending travel. I've done it and I know others who have done it.

Saddle Bronc · October 1, 2010

Do not try this! It's not just illegal (and punishable by a fine), it's not possible unless the airline agents screw up in a major way. When you leave the country you need to show a foreign passport and (1) an I-94 form stapled into your passport or (2) your green card, or (3) a US passport. You meet none of these conditions if you are a citizen without passport, and if the airline agents do their jobs, they will catch you and at the very least deny you boarding. -- International law stipulates that entering or leaving a country you must use the passport of that country if you are a citizen of that country irrespective of how many other passports you may hold.

Therein lies one of the flaws--USCIS assumes that the airline-desk people know enough about US immigration to implement an exit control.

Also, #1 is a relict, since there are large numbers of Canadians who visit US without ever getting an I-94--so it would be impossible to collect a nonexistant document. And this is made even worse by mail-in non-immigrant visas, which have as part of the approval-sheet a tear-off I-94 (which does NOT resemble the one issued at a POE, and which is also rather easy to copy--in full-colour two-side).

And when is an airline going to prevent a foreign traveller from leaving the US voluntarily?

Oh, also many other nations (such as Canada) don't make much issue about duals entering with the other passport--my sister (a dual since 1996) has entered Calgary many times with the US passport (though technically she should use the Canuck one).

On a different note, there is no problem in getting a passport within a day for impending travel. I've done it and I know others who have done it.

Edited October 1, 2010 by Saddle Bronc

hhN400 · October 1, 2010

Saddle Bronc,

You are advising people to break the law. Do you think this is such a good idea?

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Passport Application

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