American Passports timeline

[Sartre 123]

I applied for my USA passport on the 9th of January and it was received by the passport authorities on the 13th of January.  Applied for normal delivery

and the passport was received 16 days later.  There is not the need to pay extra for faster processing times. Currently they are quoting 8 to 11 weeks for normal processing 

and 2 to  5 weeks for expedited processing.  Obviously they have caught up on the backlog and are processing the passports rather quickly. Best...

[JeanneAdil 6,259]

i would think people  have returned to offices for work and hopefully embassies and SS can also catch up 

I wouldn't count of IRS  getting caught up anytime soon

[ImmiGeek 59]

7 minutes ago, Sartre said:

I applied for my USA passport on the 9th of January and it was received by the passport authorities on the 13th of January.  Applied for normal delivery

and the passport was received 16 days later.  There is not the need to pay extra for faster processing times. Currently they are quoting 8 to 11 weeks for normal processing 

and 2 to  5 weeks for expedited processing.  Obviously they have caught up on the backlog and are processing the passports rather quickly. Best...

I too agree with you. Unless and otherwise there is an emergency (within few weeks), there is no need to pay extra for expedited.

But folks are paying thinking that the return of the passport book/card/naturalization certificate can be done by the priority certified mail if we pay extra(I still cant get if its really happening paying extra).
BTW, we dont need a new thread for this, there is one running giant thread discussing the US passport applications. Can you please use it with your post above? Thanks 

 

[mushroomspore 3,043]

1 hour ago, Sartre said:

I applied for my USA passport on the 9th of January and it was received by the passport authorities on the 13th of January.  Applied for normal delivery

and the passport was received 16 days later.  There is not the need to pay extra for faster processing times. Currently they are quoting 8 to 11 weeks for normal processing 

and 2 to  5 weeks for expedited processing.  Obviously they have caught up on the backlog and are processing the passports rather quickly. Best...

I got my US passport very fast as well. I sent my application in November and was expecting to receive the passport by end of January. However, I received it right before the New Year. Definitely agree that people don't need to pay for expedited processing unless it is an actual emergency or they need it super fast.

[waterlooengineer 30]

Hey,

 

Has anyone applied for a passport recently? We just recently gave birth in NY and applied for the passport at a USPS location last week. 

We were told it would take 8-11 weeks. 

Also, we used the Certificate of Live Birth as proof of Citizenship. This was from New York State. That is all what we have received. Is there another form of birth certificate that the State provides or is that the only one? 

[Sartre 123]

5 hours ago, waterlooengineer said:

Hey,

 

Has anyone applied for a passport recently? We just recently gave birth in NY and applied for the passport at a USPS location last week. 

We were told it would take 8-11 weeks. 

Also, we used the Certificate of Live Birth as proof of Citizenship. This was from New York State. That is all what we have received. Is there another form of birth certificate that the State provides or is that the only one? 

The passport was received in less than 2 weeks using a regular application.  However, I am concerned that you used a Certificate of Live Birth as proof of citizenship.  That type of certificate is only used to transfer to vital records hospital information so that an official certificate of birth can be created  I don't want to tell you that you might get your application returned or you will be asked for an official birth certificate.  Here is an official quote on certificate of live birth: "

 

"A Certificate of Live Birth cannot be used as proof of identity, citizenship, nor to request the issuance of identification documents. It is the registration form that doctors, midwives, or hospital representatives fill out when a child is born."

https://www.usbirthcertificates.com/glossary/certificate-of-live-birth

 

You should get the official long form birth certificate from vital records and at least be ready just in case you have to amend your application.

Best to you and your new addition to your family.  

Edited July 27, 2022 by Sartre

[waterlooengineer 30]

1 hour ago, Sartre said:

The passport was received in less than 2 weeks using a regular application.  However, I am concerned that you used a Certificate of Live Birth as proof of citizenship.  That type of certificate is only used to transfer to vital records hospital information so that an official certificate of birth can be created  I don't want to tell you that you might get your application returned or you will be asked for an official birth certificate.  Here is an official quote on certificate of live birth: "

 

"A Certificate of Live Birth cannot be used as proof of identity, citizenship, nor to request the issuance of identification documents. It is the registration form that doctors, midwives, or hospital representatives fill out when a child is born."

https://www.usbirthcertificates.com/glossary/certificate-of-live-birth

 

You should get the official long form birth certificate from vital records and at least be ready just in case you have to amend your application.

Best to you and your new addition to your family.  

 

Thank you @Sartre!

Since this is our first child, we are not aware of the Official birth certificate. Do we have to apply for that through vital records? Or will we automatically get that?

 

Below is what I received and we provided as proof of citizenship. 

 

[Sartre 123]

3 hours ago, waterlooengineer said:

 

Thank you @Sartre!

Since this is our first child, we are not aware of the Official birth certificate. Do we have to apply for that through vital records? Or will we automatically get that?

 

Below is what I received and we provided as proof of citizenship. 

 

I hope I am giving you appropriate advice.  Everything I know about an official birth certificate versus a live birth certificate is that only the former can be used for official governmental business, ie., acquiring  a passport.  For example, let's say you want your child to have dual citizenship (I hope you do) and you send the required information to the Canadian Consulate that serves your area.  Part of the required information is an official birth certificate (long form) you would have to send to the Canadian Consulate.  Yes, you should go to your municipal office or just call them to have them send you the long form birth certificate.  This can be done by mail.

 

Here is a better explanation of the two documents and the process of how an official birth certificate is created from the live birth certificate.  Best

 

A baby’s birth certificate is created using a form called the U.S. Standard Certificate of Live Birth. This form simply states that a child was born in the United States and was considered medically alive at birth. 

The certificate is usually filled out by the child’s parents or the staff members at the hospital or facility where the child was born. Then, it must be submitted, either by mail or electronically, to the state, county, or city office responsible for creating and maintaining birth records in that state. The Certificate of Life Birth form includes information on the:

• Baby’s full name
• Baby’s place, date, and time of birth
• Baby’s gender, race, weight, and any health conditions
• Parents’ full names
• Hospital or birthing facility where the baby was born
• Attending doctors or midwives
• The person completing the birth record

The baby’s parents, the facility staff, or the attending doctors or midwives can submit the form to the state. The appropriate agency will process the Certificate of Live Birth, then the vital records office for the state will issue a new U.S. birth certificate for the child.

Birth Certificate vs. Certificate of Live Birth

While a Certificate of Live Birth is used to create a birth certificate, they are not the same documents. The Certificate of Live Birth is the application, while the birth certificate is the actual vital record created using the information provided on the form.

A person’s original birth certificate is always kept on file at the vital records office where it was created. The vital records office will use the original to make a certified copy of the birth certificate when requested. Certified or long-form copies of a birth certificate will contain information on the individual’s:

• Full, legal name
• Place and date of birth
• Gender at birth
• Parents’ names

A certified birth certificate copy will include certain identifying features, including a raised, multicolored, or embossed state seal, the registrar’s signature, and the date of issuance. Only certified copies can be used as proof of identity, age, and citizenship.

 

 

[waterlooengineer 30]

Just an update on this. We just received our child's passport in mail today. They accepted the Certificate of Live Birth that we sent them with no issues. Status changed to Approved on 8/19/2022. Passport received in mail on 8/24/2022.

[Sartre 123]

18 hours ago, waterlooengineer said:

Just an update on this. We just received our child's passport in mail today. They accepted the Certificate of Live Birth that we sent them with no issues. Status changed to Approved on 8/19/2022. Passport received in mail on 8/24/2022.

 

18 hours ago, waterlooengineer said:

Just an update on this. We just received our child's passport in mail today. They accepted the Certificate of Live Birth that we sent them with no issues. Status changed to Approved on 8/19/2022. Passport received in mail on 8/24/2022.

Congratulations! I am surprised they accepted the Live Birth document given that the State Department is clear on what type of birth certificate is accepted. Very proactive and responsible on your part to get a passport for your child soon after birth. Best of travels to you and your family.