Renewal Passport Received in Record Time

Though I don’t think we will ever use them again, my passport was due to expire in January 2025. The last time it was renewed I was working at the Library of Congress, I took my own photo, and all of the paper work was dropped off at the House of Representatives. They called me when it was available. This time I used the new online passport renewal process after having met the qualifications to renew online. That was one week ago. All of the information was completed and a digital image was uploaded. The hardest part was getting the photo taken without any shadows. It said the turnaround time period would be six to eight weeks. Well, my passport arrived yesterday - one week after it was submitted! I have to say that I am very impressed with this service. It’s probably the best time to renew because all of the backlogs and last minute travelers are done from the summer season and most of the pent up travel flurry has subsided - until the holiday season arrives. So I still have my old passport and the new one has a unique digital page with two images. Now this item can be taken off my to do list. I would recommend this online method for anyone who meets the criteria for a basic passport renewal. 

Online Passport Renewal

It’s been on my list of things to do. The last time I renewed my passport was almost ten years ago. I was working at the Library of Congress and walked my papers over to the House Office Buildings. It was easy. I had heard you can now renew your passport on line if you meet certain qualifications. So I went to the website and I met the criteria. The worst part of it all was getting the digital photo just right. I think my husband took about twenty photos but the lighting in the house cast a bit of shadow. Out of exasperation I finally just picked the last one and gave up trying. Once I started the process it didn’t take too long but I wanted to make sure all of the information was accurate so I double checked everything. After entering in the first bit it was verified that I could proceed. The photo uploaded without a problem and they said they would contact you if something was amiss. Afterwards you can sign up for a status update - which won’t start until the payment has been authorized. It’s supposed to take six to eight weeks and the current passport is not valid any longer once this process started. We have no plans to go anywhere and I’m not sure we ever will at this stage. But it’s good to have the passport up to date - just in case. 

Passport Renewed Within Two Weeks

I just read the other day that beginning some time in 2018 passports will be renewed on line. Of course, this was right after we processed the paperwork, took the photo and printed it to the exact size, wrote out a check, and mailed it to the passport service in Philadelphia a little over two weeks ago. My husband’s passport was going to expire in February and we wanted to get it updated before that time, but also have it on hand in case if any unforeseen circumstances. It was mentioned the processing could take 4-6 Weeks. We knew it arrived at the center soon after it was mailed because the money had been withdrawn from our account. So it was a pleasant surprise that the new passport arrived in the mail yesterday. That was a pretty good turnaround time. I noticed that the photo was digitally scanned and is different than before. My husband just needed to sign it. We also kept the pamphlet it came with that included important reminders and phone numbers. It was kinda sad to see all the stamped pages from past trips overseas now empty. So at least now we have what we need ready for the next adventure - wherever that is. 

Passport Renewal

I renewed my passport before I retired about three years ago. Because I worked at the Library of Congress, I was able to have it processed and expedited through the House of Representatives offices. We just so happened to look at my husband’s passport this week and found out that it expires next month. It’s probably a good idea to have it up to date just in case we need it for anything. Over the last ten years we have gone to Iran, Denmark, and England four times - with side visits to France and Spain. In all of these places we were visiting with friends or family. The next trip may be a drive to Canada - and our European friends can meet us on this continent! I don’t particularly care to travel abroad, so it would be a great compromise. Anyway, it took four tries to get the on line renewal document completed. I tried filling the form in on my iPad first, but that approach didn’t allow me to print the pdf form. So I got out the laptop and tried three more times until I got it right. Then I printed the application out. The last thing we need to do is get a decent photo. So after my husband wakes up from his beauty sleep it will be showtime. Then I’ll need to size it just right. Maybe we will mail it at the House Office Building post office. It’s a good excuse to check out the scenery. 

A Passport Pick Up at the House Office Building & a Friendly Face

A few weeks ago I decided to have my almost expired passport processed through the State Department rather than mail it to the generic processing center. The only reason was because I thought it would be more convenient because I could hand carry the required paperwork to the House Office building. Since I work at the Library of Congress it only requires a walk through the Cannon Building over to the Longworth Building. I didn't realize I would also need a referral letter from my congress person so I also had to travel to the Rayburn Building to get it. They told me it would take about four weeks and they would call my office when it was ready. One week earlier than expected I got the call, and I made my way back through the tunnel over to the Longworth Building. This time it was a much easier trip compared to the last one - it was congress' first day back after the long holiday and the hallways were filled with furniture, family members, and lost people trying to find their way around. As I was passing by the very elaborate shoe shine stand near the visitor entrance to the Capitol, a well dressed gentleman said hello with a great deal of enthusiasm. He asked me if I had moved because he had not seen me for several weeks. It was the shoe shine guy who had a little business in front of Bullfeathers - a friendly face I saw every day walking to and from work. Apparently he is now the official shoe shiner at the House Office Buildings. It was nice to see him again and he was thrilled with his new space. It's funny how you see some people all the time, don't know their names, but they feel like old friends. That reminds me of the Midwest and it made my day. 

A Convoluted Walk Through the Cannon, Longworth, and Rayburn House Office Buildings

My passport expires soon so I put together all the documents required - the old passport, the color photo, the document, and the check. Because I work at the Library I was told I could drop the paperwork off in the Cannon Building Post Office. As I headed through the tunnels past the security check point, all the furniture was in the hallway for everyone to pick over for their new or moved offices. Since the recent election, it's office roulette. When I reached the post office in the Cannon Building, she directed me to the Logistics office in the Longworth Building. Complicating the matter was the place was jammed with all the new and old congressional staff. There were signs for receptions, lines to the Capitol, and a lot of congestion. People were even asking me for directions. Reaching my destination I was told I needed a referral letter from my representative to use the passport service. She grudgingly gave me the office number and luckily it was in the Rayburn Building just next door. When I asked the info desk where I could find Eleanor Holmes Norton's office, they said to go back to Longworth- only to correct themselves - and directed me to the first floor for a room number that begins with "2." I was already packing on at least one mile of corridor when I got there through the marble hallways. The young man in the office was very helpful and produced the referral letter after I provided him with my name and birthdate - and assured him I was a DC resident. Almost losing my way back, I finally found my way to the Logistics Office - again. She took all the paperwork and asked that I leave a number where they can contact me in about a four week period. I'm beginning to wonder if it would have been easier just to mail the darn thing to Philadelphia. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I get that phone call. If nothing else it was an experience - albeit a very convoluted one.