Advice needed: kids passports expired

[Anonymous]

My husband and I both flaked and did not realize kids passports expired. We have a trip scheduled to Costa Rica at the end of March. Is there any way to expedite this without paying a fortune? We live in Arlington, VA.

[Anonymous]

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast.html

And lots of threads here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband and I both flaked and did not realize kids passports expired. We have a trip scheduled to Costa Rica at the end of March. Is there any way to expedite this [/b]without paying a fortune? [b]We live in Arlington, VA.

No. You’re going to have to pay

[Anonymous]

Kid passports must be handled in person. If both parents can't be present, you will need a notarized document (look it up). Be prepared to travel for an appointment. When you call the appt. line number, they check whatever is open. Some people get lucky with DC, but others end up going other cities (Boston, ATL, Philly, etc).

[Anonymous]

I just paid for expedited and got it back in 2 weeks. Getting an appointment is the hardest part. I needed a Saturday since both parents and kids had to be there but got it at a post office in South Arlington. It's $80 extra per passport ($60 fee plus $20 for 1-2 day delivery, which you'd want to do).

[Anonymous]

Good option at the MLK Library on DC for walk-in applications and then pay for expedited processing and expedited return mail. And visit the cool rooftop garden at the MLK Lobrary while you’re there.

https://www.dclibrary.org/using-the-library/passport-acceptance-office

[Anonymous]

Try the post office in Lovettsville. Not as many people up that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good option at the MLK Library on DC for walk-in applications and then pay for expedited processing and expedited return mail. And visit the cool rooftop garden at the MLK Lobrary while you’re there.

https://www.dclibrary.org/using-the-library/passport-acceptance-office

What has your experience been there? You sign up and then wait? Is it generally a long wait?

[Anonymous]

There should be a notice sent a year before one's passport expiration, so you have time to renew before the last 6 months, during which some countries don't want visitors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There should be a notice sent a year before one's passport expiration, so you have time to renew before the last 6 months, during which some countries don't want visitors.

I have never gotten, or heard of getting, notice to renew a US passport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just paid for expedited and got it back in 2 weeks. Getting an appointment is the hardest part. I needed a Saturday since both parents and kids had to be there but got it at a post office in South Arlington. It's $80 extra per passport ($60 fee plus $20 for 1-2 day delivery, which you'd want to do).

I think OP likely has enough time for an expedited passport but it will be close. We had one take 3 weeks and another take 6 weeks under the expedited process in the past year. There is a rush process but that is different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There should be a notice sent a year before one's passport expiration, so you have time to renew before the last 6 months, during which some countries don't want visitors.

I have never gotten, or heard of getting, notice to renew a US passport.

That’s because there’s an expiration date literally written on your passport. That is the notice. Some people just can’t seem to read it.

[Anonymous]

I truly don’t understand how this happens. Leaving the country is a big deal. How do people not think of this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There should be a notice sent a year before one's passport expiration, so you have time to renew before the last 6 months, during which some countries don't want visitors.

I have never gotten, or heard of getting, notice to renew a US passport.

That’s because there’s an expiration date literally written on your passport. That is the notice. Some people just can’t seem to read it.

This

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There should be a notice sent a year before one's passport expiration, so you have time to renew before the last 6 months, during which some countries don't want visitors.

You have time anyway…