Best place to renew child's passport?
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Anonymous
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We have had a few misses trying to get our kids' passports renewed, including this morning when we took them out of school to go to the post office and the person in charge of passports had called out sick. We asked when they would be back and they didn't really know, and also told us the walk in hours were wrong on the website. But he also didn't know the correct hours. Appointments are difficult to get on the State website -- our trip is 3.5 months away but we want to get them back in time to apply for global entry. Anyone had success getting appointments for kids passports at any particular location, or as a walk in? This should not be so hard. |
Anonymous
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Where do you live? Haven't ever had an issue with USPS once we had an appointment- sounds like just bad luck that the person was out today.
Libraries are also a good option- some libraries throughout the area have appointments or walk-in hours. DC's central library has Saturday hours from 10-3. https://www.dclibrary.org/using-the-library/passport-acceptance-office |
Anonymous
| I've never had an issue with the post office! Try again or a different one near you. |
Anonymous
It shouldn't be. My brother lives in small town usa. I was visiting him anyway. So I packed the kids passports and did it there. No line; no appointment necessary. Whole thing took 10 min for 3 of us. Doesn't help you but I certainly agree with you---it shouldn't be so time consuming. |
Anonymous
| Post office as quick and easy. Should be able to get an appointment in the same week. |
Anonymous
| Some libraries do this. |
Anonymous
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Also, just a note/clarification, because you used the term "renewal", which is logical if your kids already have passports. But functionally there is no such thing as a renewal for children's passports. The form is the same every time, unlike adult passports, which if you renew it's a different, shorter form. And you always have to submit the same full set of documents, again unlike adult renewals, where you only have to send your old passport. On the USPS scheduling site, you have the option of choosing the type of appointment, so make sure you choose "New Passport".
It's also not a renewal if you are getting your first adult passport. You don't truly "renew" until you are getting your 2nd adult passport. |
Anonymous
| Post office works unless the work is sick which is rare. The waits can be long around here. Try small town USA for a shorter wait. In this area, just go up I-70 if you are in MD, or out US-29/I-66 if you are in VA and pick some place about 45 mins outside of DC. |
Anonymous
| Get to the post office 30 minutes before it opens on Saturday if you don't have an appointment. |
Anonymous
I think that was true the last few years- long waits for appointments. Seems to have lightened quite a bit recently. Just looked and saw some available appointments next Wednesday and Thursday in Arlington (3118 Washington Blvd), for instance. Every weekday of the weeks after that are available. |
Anonymous
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Merrifield, VA has walk ins on Saturday mornings. They have more than one person working, but get the pictures done ahead of time. Their camera was having issues when we went. I also recommend downloading the paperwork ahead of time and having it completed upon arrival.
I feel your pain OP, we had an appointment at our closest post office for a Tuesday and when we arrived the staff told us the passport person doesn't work on Tuesdays. Needless to say, I was quite unhappy. |
Anonymous
Agreed, do pictures and forms ahead of time. DO NOT sign the forms until the appointment- the agent has to witness the signature. You can take the picture yourself pretty easily at home- you just need a well lit room and a white wall for the background. You can use websites like this to size the picture properly for printing. https://www.123passportphoto.com/upload_photo.php Then print at home if you have a photo printer, or send to CVS/Walgreens to print there. Most sites will output a 4x6in jpeg for printing, then you just cut out the photos, so you will have extras if you need them. |
Anonymous
We used the Merrifield post office last month for my kids' passports. Saturdays they usually have 2 ppl working in the passport office. Sundays they have just one. Just if you're doing walk ins, get there before they open on Saturdays. We got there Sunday about 30 minutes after opening and waited 2 hours. |
Anonymous
| The post office canceled us as the last minute. We used the MLK library in downtown DC and it was quick and easy. |
Anonymous
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USPS in DC didn't cancel on us, neither did Annandale post office, and Merrifield walk in is great. I woke up early to get in line and DH came with kids at opening.
My friend has had luck in DC where you get the passport the same day. |