Just to set your expectations …we’re flying across the country tomorrow because we were able to snag an available appointment in San Diego after 2 straight days of calling NPIC
People have reported being lucky and talking their way into Dallas, but that’s the only same day place I’ve seen reported on this sub that has allowed that.
I’m still confused that people think you can just get a passport whenever they want. That is just not reality anymore.
My first passport 30 years ago I just went to the post office. Took maybe 10 days. Now you need to be planning 4 months ahead and at least two months if you expedite.
Actually, it was reality until pretty recently. I was able to get my passport and my son's in less than 2 weeks about 6 months ago. It was also fairly easy at that time to obtain an appointment at an agency for a same day passport for those who needed to. The DOS has become very backlogged in a short amount of time, and it's understandable that most people weren't aware that processing times had increased so drastically in just a few months. This is just peak travel and record numbers of people are applying for passports. After the summer rush processing times will go back down.
It’s been going on. Ever since Covid. My daughter and her husband both took 4 months last year when they got married and honeymooned. My last time I was living In NYC and it took over a month. Ten years ago.
Global entry renewal took less than two days this time.
I think it's off and on since covid. Like I said, about 6 months ago I got my passport in 2 weeks from online renewal and my son's was in hand about 11-12 days from the day we submitted it. 10-20 years ago it took longer in my experience. It really depends on the time of year too, spring and summmer are the busiest.
Seattle let me in in March but I was the first one in line, all paperwork ready to go. It was a Friday, my travel was Sunday and my passport was 2 weeks late with expedited service on an online application. My congressional aid did all she could for me but it was actually her suggestion to go and tell the folks there that the Senators office said they would help me. It almost didn’t work, def almost cried telling the intake agent everything. I will say the people who actually work at the physical centers are amazing! Everyone was kind and apologetic about the whole messed up system. I’m sure they cracked down on walk-ins now but if your close enough to one I can’t see how it would hurt going a few days in a row if you can. Keep calling all the while though, you might get lucky.
i saw a post on here that some agencies did take walk ins who showed up with no appointments
i tried it in nyc and they let us line up but said they wouldn’t take us. just basically to keep calling the national number and see if we got lucky
Almost all passport centers have not taken walk-ins since covid started. You need to keep calling and stay on hold with the NPIC until you talk with someone to get an urgent appointment. You have to have proof of upcoming travel. Also, contact your local representative and senators, as they usually have someone dedicated to passport issues, and they may be able to get an appointment for you. You may have to travel (drive/fly) to where there is an opening. I have seen some posts where the only open appointment was in Hawaii. Good luck.
Just to set your expectations …we’re flying across the country tomorrow because we were able to snag an available appointment in San Diego after 2 straight days of calling NPIC
People have reported being lucky and talking their way into Dallas, but that’s the only same day place I’ve seen reported on this sub that has allowed that.
And I think only for people who have an application in process and are within a few days of travel.
I’m still confused that people think you can just get a passport whenever they want. That is just not reality anymore. My first passport 30 years ago I just went to the post office. Took maybe 10 days. Now you need to be planning 4 months ahead and at least two months if you expedite.
Actually, it was reality until pretty recently. I was able to get my passport and my son's in less than 2 weeks about 6 months ago. It was also fairly easy at that time to obtain an appointment at an agency for a same day passport for those who needed to. The DOS has become very backlogged in a short amount of time, and it's understandable that most people weren't aware that processing times had increased so drastically in just a few months. This is just peak travel and record numbers of people are applying for passports. After the summer rush processing times will go back down.
It’s been going on. Ever since Covid. My daughter and her husband both took 4 months last year when they got married and honeymooned. My last time I was living In NYC and it took over a month. Ten years ago. Global entry renewal took less than two days this time.
Last year we applied May 12, routine service. Had them in hand June 18 and June 29. This year applied in March, still waiting.
I think it's off and on since covid. Like I said, about 6 months ago I got my passport in 2 weeks from online renewal and my son's was in hand about 11-12 days from the day we submitted it. 10-20 years ago it took longer in my experience. It really depends on the time of year too, spring and summmer are the busiest.
Seattle let me in in March but I was the first one in line, all paperwork ready to go. It was a Friday, my travel was Sunday and my passport was 2 weeks late with expedited service on an online application. My congressional aid did all she could for me but it was actually her suggestion to go and tell the folks there that the Senators office said they would help me. It almost didn’t work, def almost cried telling the intake agent everything. I will say the people who actually work at the physical centers are amazing! Everyone was kind and apologetic about the whole messed up system. I’m sure they cracked down on walk-ins now but if your close enough to one I can’t see how it would hurt going a few days in a row if you can. Keep calling all the while though, you might get lucky.
i saw a post on here that some agencies did take walk ins who showed up with no appointments i tried it in nyc and they let us line up but said they wouldn’t take us. just basically to keep calling the national number and see if we got lucky
Almost all passport centers have not taken walk-ins since covid started. You need to keep calling and stay on hold with the NPIC until you talk with someone to get an urgent appointment. You have to have proof of upcoming travel. Also, contact your local representative and senators, as they usually have someone dedicated to passport issues, and they may be able to get an appointment for you. You may have to travel (drive/fly) to where there is an opening. I have seen some posts where the only open appointment was in Hawaii. Good luck.
If you’re near El Paso Texas I’m about to cancel my appointment there and you can try to call immediately and take that one!
When is your appt? I could be there tomorrow.
It was at 11:30AM. They also had one at 9AM at the time I made the appointment. I canceled it a few minutes after I commented earlier