Renewing Passport during the government shutdown

[TAD2005]

Our cruise isn't until March 9, 2019, but DW's passport expires in January.   We sent in our application Dec 17 and the check was cashed by the US Dept of State on Dec 18.

Does anyone know if the 25% US government shutdown is affecting passport renewals ?   I have heard that State Dept. employees are not affected.

 

Edited December 30, 2018 by TAD2005

[zqvol]

The State Department is currently impacted by the shut down. the impact on passport renewal can only be speculated. We may have more info by the end of the week.

 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/12/27/shutdown-does-not-shutter-all-government-agencies-donald-trump-congress/2422203002/

[Andi Land]

 

 

You can track your application status online and get email updates. 

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/after/status.html

Edited December 31, 2018 by Andi Land

[blhlls]

The website said processing estimates remain the same in spite of the shutdown and people should keep their passport related appointments so work is continuing at least for now.

[cruiserchuck]

The State Department's website has the following information:

 

We continue to offer passport services during the lapse of appropriations for the federal government. Please note we will be closed for scheduled federal holidays on December 24 and 25 and will reopen on December 26.

You can still apply for a U.S. passport book or passport card at all passport agencies and centers and acceptance facilities (such as U.S. post offices, libraries, or county clerk’s offices) during the lapse of appropriations. You can also renew your passport by mail. Our processing times remain the same: 4-6 weeks for routine service and 2-3 weeks for expedited service.

If you have a scheduled appointment at a U.S. Department of State passport agency or center, please plan on keeping your appointment. If you need to cancel your appointment, you may do so by visiting the Online Passport Appointment System or by calling 1-877-487-2778. If you have a scheduled appointment at a passport acceptance facility and need to cancel your appointment, please contact the facility directly.

We will update this notice if there is a change in passport services during the lapse in appropriations.

[fatcat04]

Our passport renewal was processed and shipped just this past week without issue. Got it yesterday. The website says that passport issuance will not be effected. Seems to be the case. I think we are okay.

Edited December 31, 2018 by fatcat04

[TAD2005]

14 hours ago, Andi Land said:

 

 

You can track your application status online and get email updates. 

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/after/status.html

Thanks for the link to track my application.  It worked and here's the results:

Your Application Status

Thank you for submitting your application for a U.S. passport book!

Your passport application is in the final processing stages.

Your passport application locator number is 000000000.

When you applied, you requested Routine Service.

This means you should receive your passport on or about 01/06/2019.

If you have any additional questions, please contact the National Passport Information Center with the above locator number.

 

Looks like they are still working.   They received my application on the 17th of December, and I will get the passport back on Jan 6.  That would be 3 weeks for Routine Service.  Pretty good !!

[fatcat04]

That's good news!! Ours was also a little over 3 weeks from start to finish so they are on the ball.

 

Ds's needed some extra documentation, being 17 he is still a minor and needs extra permissions but he gets the 10 year passport as opposed to the usual 5 years for minors. Only 16 and 17 year olds need the extra stuff for a 10 year passport and the postal agent apparently didn't catch the omission when she compiled our papers and mailed it in. Thankfully we are still weeks out and should be good. And he will have this passport well into his 20's. 

 

The baby girl's was first to arrive in less than 3 weeks. Being 1 years old I am guessing her background check was quick. Not much background to check lol 😁

[TAD2005]

A surprising update on passport renewal time.   We received our renewed passport in today's mail.   The State Dept. website said we could expect delivery on or around Jan 6.   We used USPO's Express mail to send the application on Friday,  Dec 14.  They received it on Monday the 17th.  We received the renewed passport today, exactly 14 days.  We only paid the usual $110 for Routine Service, and spent $6.70 for the express mail to get the application to them.   Amazing !!