Passports : a few questions

[KeepsakeGirl]

I have a few questions regarding passports

1) how long does it take?
2) where can i take a photo for it? they seem to be very nitpicky about it..
3) is the US Post office the best place to go for this?

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by KeepsakeGirl

I have a few questions regarding passports

1) how long does it take?
2) where can i take a photo for it? they seem to be very nitpicky about it..
3) is the US Post office the best place to go for this?

Here are all your questions answered. Don't bother with the post office and get the pictures made by a place which has the camera makes what they like.

You can download the forms on line.

Once you get one keep it renewed, makes life easier.

Oh, if you want to pay the fee there are places which will walk it through for you in 24 hrs. I used to have to do this for some of my people who didn't have one and we were sending out of country. Can't imagine not having one. I've had one since I was 21.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
I think it takes about 60 days to process, the photos are pretty much minnie wallet size-can must be color now.
You can pay an extra $60 for expedited which takes about 2 weeks, http://travel.state.gov/passport/get...first_831.html

[steve817]

I just got mine. It took about 4 weeks. It may take a little longer now because there is a bit of a rush on them. Next year they are required for travel into Mexico and Canada.

As far as the photo I set up the my 30D and stood against one of the walls in my house. My wife then took the picture. I then cropped and resized it to the proper proportions and put them in a black 4x6 frame in Photoshop. I had the picture printed at Walgreens for like 29 cents and cut them out of the frame once it was printed.

They have a service where they will take your picture for you but depending where you go they will charge anywhere from 15 to 25 dollars for it.

Once you pick up your application rom the post office they will have the requirements for the photo. It's pretty easy to do, I'm sure you can do it. Or I'll be happy to do it for you.

Steve

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

actually if you have the lights you can pretty much do your own photo if you have decent equipment
http://travel.state.gov/passport/gui...setup_873.html
http://travel.state.gov/passport/guide/faq/faq_881.html

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by DEMDeepEllumMusic

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
I think it takes about 60 days to process, the photos are pretty much minnie wallet size-can even be B+W still.
You can pay an extra $60 for expedited which takes about 2 weeks, http://travel.state.gov/passport/get...first_831.html

They are now requiring color.

Your photographs must be:

* 2x2 inches in size
* Identical
* Taken within the past 6 months, showing current appearance
* Color
* Full face, front view with a plain white or off-white background
* Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
* Taken in normal street attire
o Uniforms should not be worn in photographs except religious attire that is worn daily.
o Do not wear a hat or headgear that obscures the hair or hairline.
o If you normally wear prescription glasses, a hearing device, wig or similar articles, they should be worn for your picture.
o Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons. A medical certificate may be required.

[AlexMorse]

I got mine expedited earlier this year, along with my wife. We got them in about 10 days.

I've heard that non expedited can take 60-90 days.

[srdanz]

Erica,

from personal experience:
as Steve, I took my own picture (with softbox and fill flash), cropped it to satisfy the dimensions, where the head is supposed to be and how big - someone posted that too) and printed 6 photos on one 4x6 in costco, where I used their cutter to cut them apart.

downloaded the form online, filled it on the computer, printed it out.

Went to the post office, with my photos and printed form, brought cash with me as they require it, submitted my application, (standard processing), and got the passport in the mail some 3-4 weeks after that.

I've done the same with my kids at different times, and it never took more than 4 weeks. I applied in Austin, and the passports were printed in Houston and once in New Orleans for some reason.

Yes, they reserve the right to process your application up to 6 weeks, but I haven't heard about the case where it actually took that long.

If you really need it soon, you can opt for extra $$$ to have it expedited.

Best of luck!

-Serge

[Hanky]

Don't pay extra for speedier servace, not worth it. Get hep a and b shots.
Expect to do with minimal water on the plane.

[adirty1]

it's worth it to just walk into office depot or office max and have them take your image. takes alot less then doing it your self. might cost me 10-15 to have it done. time in setup and taking the image to get printed and all that is well worth the money. plus you know it's done right and to the right size.

go to the post office or download it from them... it's a good idea to go to the post office and turn it in in person.... took about a month. If your going to houston any time soon, you can take it down to the passport office down there and have it back in a couple weeks with out paying the extra money.

[kenw]

"Don't pay extra for speedier servace, not worth it. "

Depends on when your flight leaves. If you have about 4-7 days notice of a trip to Singapore (yup, been there), expediting is a pretty good thing. Yes, I got my 1st one in less than a week. 'bout 1990 something...filled it up with stamps before it expired, too.

gads, I now realize how much a perk it is to have a company that does all this mess for you, from taking the pic, sending in the application (and the $$) and delivering the finished product to your office.......

[Breezy]

ours took right at the 60 days,
they were all 5 processed in different places and it was really wierd cause dh was renewing his and he has a no fee passport but his took the longest.
We went to the base and had the pics done for free.
Oh and you have to pay the PO money and then you have to pay for the Passports seperately, I wrote 6 different checks that day for 5 passports.

[Steelsun]

We took our last shots for our pports ourselves just using light from our windows and the onboard flash with a 20d. No problems.

[Steelsun]

BTW: If you plan on getting a new pport - get it as fast as you can. Early next year, I think mid january, they are switching to the new format with RFID chips - I think those will cause alot of problems, so get the old style while you can and give them 10 years to fix the problems they will cause.

[arkie2916]

I just sent my renewal in the other day. I had my pictures taken at Walgreens for $7.99. They were ugly, but cheap and easy!! We will se how long it takes for me to get them back.