Passport 14-day expedite using dummy refundable Trip - Can I do this?

[Anonymous]

I need my kid’s passport by the first week of June. But I see that wait times are up to 4 months, and even the expedited orders are taking 2+ months.

I read on here that you can get an in-person appointment for a passport with super quick turnaround, if you are traveling within 14 days.

Here’s the fun part. Can I book a dummy (but refundable) trip for 14 days from now, then book a passport appointment. Then just cancel or reschedule the trip once we have the passport? What trip documentation is required for in-person expedited Passport appointments?

[Anonymous]

Apparently some people in Canada were doing that last summer.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/passport-waits-delays-line-standers-fake-travel-gaming-travel-doc-system-1.6550262

[Anonymous]

This is a commonly used loophole.

[Anonymous]

You can, but honestly - it's a crap thing to do. Someone who really needs the expedite might get screwed over because you're gaming the system. But you do you.

[Anonymous]

You don't have to schedule a dummy trip. Count 14 days back from your actual travel date, and call and make an appointment for that date.

I'm traveling for work, so they are paying for an expedite service to do it for me, but the process is the same. I found out I needed to travel about 8 weeks before the date, and needed to renew my passport. I made the arrangements with the service as soon as I found out, and the appointment is in, but the appointment date is within that 14 day window.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't have to schedule a dummy trip. Count 14 days back from your actual travel date, and call and make an appointment for that date.

I'm traveling for work, so they are paying for an expedite service to do it for me, but the process is the same. I found out I needed to travel about 8 weeks before the date, and needed to renew my passport. I made the arrangements with the service as soon as I found out, and the appointment is in, but the appointment date is within that 14 day window.

So they are the ones gobbling up the appointments.

[Anonymous]

I did this Summer 2021 after it had been 5 months without getting my expedited passport back and it was still processing. We were leaving in a month for Europe and I was an absolute nervous wreck and couldn't handle waiting until 14 days before. I booked a ticket to Mexico using points and canceled it once my passport was in hand. No issues and at that point no guilt, I had done everything in ample time.

[Anonymous]

Do you have to show anyone any actual physical or electronic travel documentation? Like plane ticket, hotel etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have to show anyone any actual physical or electronic travel documentation? Like plane ticket, hotel etc

Yes, you have to provide flight details and a confirmation number for your flight.

[Anonymous]

I did something similar when I was trying to get an expedited passport for my son. I had to write our travel date on the form but I wasn't asked to show any proof. We ended up having to postpone the trip, but the passport came in like a week. This was pre-COVID though.

[Anonymous]

My friends have booked a hotel in Canada and no tickets as it was supposed to be a road trip and used it for expedited appointment

[Anonymous]

People apparently do this a lot - I heard about this after I did mine for actual travel.

For awareness you DO have to show proof of travel arrangements - I had forgotten to print mine out and had an anxious few moments trying to dig up the confirmation on my email. They had me email that confirmation while I stood at the desk so it could be printed and reviewed.

I'd be very surprised if expediter services could get appointments in advance of the 14 days - sounds pretty sketchy. The passport office was VERY clear when I called that they literally don't have access to the calendar more than 14 days out.

[Anonymous]

How is a trip booked so close to going actually fully refundable? Sounds sketchy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is a trip booked so close to going actually fully refundable? Sounds sketchy.

It's very easy to buy fully refundable plane tickets, its an option for economy and business class tickets- but its generally much more expensive so most people don't really look at it. When you show the reservation to the agents it won't say that its refundable or non-refundable.

Same for hotel rooms- that's easy because those are usually cancellable for no charge within 1-3 days of arrival, for a few dollars more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People apparently do this a lot - I heard about this after I did mine for actual travel.

For awareness you DO have to show proof of travel arrangements - I had forgotten to print mine out and had an anxious few moments trying to dig up the confirmation on my email. They had me email that confirmation while I stood at the desk so it could be printed and reviewed.

I'd be very surprised if expediter services could get appointments in advance of the 14 days - sounds pretty sketchy. The passport office was VERY clear when I called that they literally don't have access to the calendar more than 14 days out.

The expediter is using the fake trip trick too. Obviously.