getting passports for kids

[Anonymous]

My kids need passports. The instruction page says we need to apply in person, but need an appointment. The place that's closest to me is the Friendship Post Office, but they haven't answered their phone all day yesterday or today to make an appointment. Am I missing something? How do you make an appointment?

[Anonymous]

We are in Virginia, and didn't need to make an appointment as of a year ago. We went to the large post office in the Merrifield area and waited for our number to come up, along with all the other fine folks.

The crucial thing to remember is that both parents must either be there in person or, if that's impossible, one can sign the form available online. I saw two sets of families turned away when one of the parents was not there and they didn't have the form. Just be sure to double check everything you need before you go.

[Anonymous]

Yes you'll need an appointment. one for each kid. Call a different location listed on the state department website if the closest one is being unresponsive. Also, it's going to be a long wait to get a weekend appointment no matter where you go if that is something you need--we did this in May and ended up getting a weekday appointment and taking an early afternoon off to get it done, and it was still a multi-week wait from when we made the appointment.

[Anonymous]

Walk into Tacoma park office without an appointment on a weekday. With everything filled out and the kids in tow. Done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are in Virginia, and didn't need to make an appointment as of a year ago. We went to the large post office in the Merrifield area and waited for our number to come up, along with all the other fine folks.

The crucial thing to remember is that both parents must either be there in person or, if that's impossible, one can sign the form available online. I saw two sets of families turned away when one of the parents was not there and they didn't have the form. Just be sure to double check everything you need before you go.

This is a special location though, they do walk-ins. Most post offices don't do it this way. Also, the walk-in locations are frequently so busy on the weekend that they stop giving numbers shortly after opening and there is a long wait unless you are first in line.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are in Virginia, and didn't need to make an appointment as of a year ago. We went to the large post office in the Merrifield area and waited for our number to come up, along with all the other fine folks.

The crucial thing to remember is that both parents must either be there in person or, if that's impossible, one can sign the form available online. I saw two sets of families turned away when one of the parents was not there and they didn't have the form. Just be sure to double check everything you need before you go.

This is critical. Also, take your checkbook. You have to pay a separate fee to the post office and the state department. Online will quote you the total cost, but you're going to pay it to two separate entities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are in Virginia, and didn't need to make an appointment as of a year ago. We went to the large post office in the Merrifield area and waited for our number to come up, along with all the other fine folks.

The crucial thing to remember is that both parents must either be there in person or, if that's impossible, one can sign the form available online. I saw two sets of families turned away when one of the parents was not there and they didn't have the form. Just be sure to double check everything you need before you go.

This is critical. Also, take your checkbook. You have to pay a separate fee to the post office and the state department. Online will quote you the total cost, but you're going to pay it to two separate entities.

Both of these are very important. I remember when I called to make the appointment, it was a central number, not the number to the specific post office where we went.

[Anonymous]

Had the same problem. Reported it via the response form on usps website. Got a phone call from a worried worker at that post office and presto had an appointment. I do not think that usps employees think they need to answer the phone. Remind them!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Had the same problem. Reported it via the response form on usps website. Got a phone call from a worried worker at that post office and presto had an appointment. I do not think that usps employees think they need to answer the phone. Remind them!

Thanks; I just did that.

[Anonymous]

FWIW, it can be VERY VALUABLE to you in the future to have a US Passport returned from the past (now expired) and in your possession.

Why? Because all the documents you provided to the U.S. State Department were verified as correct in order for that passport to be issued. Thus a past US Passport can serve as proof of past submission of vital documents.

Ask me how I know this.

[Anonymous]

We had trouble with the Friendship office and wound up going to the one near Montgomery Mall - not much further. Agreed to bring multiple checks and also have copies of parents' driver's licenses. We were scrambling for coins to make copies there because I didn't realize we needed actual copies.

[Anonymous]

Lol! Crazy how they don't answer their phones. I had the same issue. Went in person to make an appt and while in line I called the very number they had on a sign to make an appt. nobody answered, and no ringing could be heard in this small PO.

[Anonymous]

This is not near you but may help others. The Alexandria City library processes passports on a walk in basis. Check their website for hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not near you but may help others. The Alexandria City library processes passports on a walk in basis. Check their website for hours.

We did it there, and the wait wasn't bad at all.

[Anonymous]

The forms that parents who are not present sign need to be notarized.