I'm leaving in 2 weeks to see my husband in South Korea. I was just looking over my passport, and it expired in March of 2006. Back in 2001, we moved to Italy, and my daughter and I got our passports here in Phoenix. Turns out we did not get a regular passport. Tourist passports are valid for 10 years, but mine and my children's are valid for 5 (they're called No-Fee passports). I haven't looked at it since we came back to the stated in December of 2003, so I had no idea it was not a 10 year passport. I'm checking with the base on Monday to see if they can help me (which I doubt, since I'm not travelling officially), but I'm just freaking out right now. I want to see him so bad, and I'm just so pissed that I might not be able to go.
Does anyone here have experience with one of those super express passport agencies I've been seeing on the internet? I just don't know what to do, I'm very upset at the thought that I might be going.
No idea on the super express passport services online (doesn't sounds so safe), but I've been reading that passports are kinda back-logged. I know it's not good news, but I don't want you to put money into something that's not guaranteed.
I *think* that your best bet right now -- unless you have a refundable ticket -- would be to get yourself to a passport agency in person. Check out this link. My understanding is that if you need an urgent (within two weeks) passport, they can help you. I'd call first thing Monday morning to schedule an appointment and to verify that they can do this in time before you make it out there. I hope the nearest one isn't too far away! Good luck.
p.s. I wouldn't trust the sketchy online agencies.
I've done the whole last minute passport thing where you go to the passport office, show them your ticket, and get a passport that day. It was more expensive and it took all day but you got it then and there. There was an office close to me though....doesn't look like there is one that close to phoenix....good luck!
I did the rush passport through the post office and had mine within a week (highly unusual though). I know they have been allowing people to travel who have at least applied for a passport (or something like that) so you might look into that.
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"Despite all your best intentions, sometimes, fate wins anyway."
I agree with littlebean and jettie -- you CAN go to a regional office, even though it's a PITA. The closest one to Phoenix is San Francisco, or at least that's what they told me when I had my passport debacle. It may be worth it. You can fly Southwest from Phx to Oakland for pretty cheap and then take BART into downtown SF pretty easily, I think. Good luck!
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"We live in an age where unnecessary things are our only necessities." --Oscar Wilde
Thanks girls. I feel a *little* better now. Still have quite the headache. I've been trying to make appointments at the passport offices in SF and LA. I was born in SoCal, so I think I could go there. I own a home in Phoenix, so I could go to SF. My drivers license is in Texas (where my in-laws live, so that's our permanent address), so technically I could go to Houston as well. I think my military ID trumps them all, though and will allow me to apply at any of them. Alas, they are all full at this time according to the automated appointment system(surprise, surprise). So I'll talk to them on Monday and go from there.
What I'm hoping my best bet will be, is talking with my congressman. I'm going up to his office first thing tomorrow morning to see if they can help me. He is very conservative (I'm not, but it could be good for me with my husband being in the military), and serves on the Armed Forces Committee. So I'll head up there in the morning wearing my Sunday Best and see what happens.
I sent my passport off to a reputable expediter, and they guarantee that I'll have it back in 2-4 business days after they receive it, which should be tomorrow morning. I sent it Fed Ex Priority Overnight. I'm paying up the wazoo for the service, but it's definitly worth it.
Hey Cricket - just wanted to *hopefully* reassure you that you did the right thing! We used passport expediters all the time at the company I worked for in DC. They know all the ins and outs of the process, so they can handle everything. They also know all the people working there, which helps tremendously!!