2 questions regarding Oath and passport

[NikosF 6]

I've just got my letter saying my oath will be next week (March 11th). My problem is we are leaving for Mexico on a family holiday March 24th. Since they'll be taking my green card away I'll need to get a passport ASAP.

Has anyone done an expedited passport? How long does it take? Does the fact it's a first passport complicate things?

Second question - how long does the Oath ceremony take? If it is scheduled for 1pm, is it reasonable to make a passport appointment at 3pm (same city - Chicago).

Thanks,

Nikos

[Kintsukuroi 6]

I had my oath ceremony today. We were told to arrive by 8am. The ceremony started at 10am (there were 300 of us that needed to get processed through between 8-10am). The ceremony lasted ~ 1 hour. I then had to wait another 30-45mins to get my certificate in hand. It will depend on how many people are taking the oath that day and how much ceremonial fanfare there is but I think having an appointment only 2 hours after the ceremony is *supposed* to start is cutting it a bit tight.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

It depends on where your ceremony is held. There are small ceremonies and then places like ours processing 2000 immigrants at one go. It would be a better plan to work on the passport on a separate day. You can get a same day passport at a passport agency.

From the Department of State:

Expedited Service at a Passport Agency

If you need a passport very quickly, the best method may be to apply at a U.S. Department of State Passport Agency.

There are 28 passport agencies around the country that can provide expedited service. Many have opened in the last few years and there may be one closer to you than you think.

Appointments are required to apply at U.S. Department of State passport agencies. Most passport agencies require proof of travel within two weeks in order to make an appointment. For a complete list, click here.

Some passport agencies do not require proof of travel to make an appointment.

To schedule an appointment, please call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778; 1-888-874-7793 (TDD/TTY). The $60 expedite fee is required for each application submitted in person at a Passport Agency or Center. Payment methods include:

Major Credit Card Visa, MasterCard, American Express Discover

Debit/Check cards (not ATM cards)

Checks, bank drafts, money orders

Cash payments must be exact change. No change is given.

The passport agency will determine how best to return the passport in order to meet the customer's documented travel plans.

Will Call service is offered for life/death emergencies and immediate travel.

Proof of travel is required for will call service.

List of locations http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/information/where-to-apply/agencies.html

[NikosF 6]

Thanks everyone.

I've made an appointment at the Chicago PP office for a separate day.

It's going to cost me $195 for an expedited passport - gulp!