I have a few international trips coming up and have had a completely-filled, non-expired passport (not really a bad thing, right?) for quite some time now. I had a hard time dealing with the thought of being grounded by sending my passport away for 6 weeks (or even 3 weeks for expedited-service) to get renewed, so I naturally chose to hold off for as long as I possibly could.
Besides, the lack of space for fresh ink in my passport didn’t seem to bother customs in Mexico or Caribbean islands during my recent visits… but now I am traveling to Central America and UAE in the coming weeks, and I didn’t want to run into any problems.
I knew it was always possible to get same-day passport service by visiting a regional passport agency given that there’s proof of international travel within 2 weeks.
Usually the standard procedure is that you have to call the automated system (1-877-487-2778) for the first available appointment. In my case, the first available appointment at two agencies (New York and Connecticut) was over 5 days away.
With a quick Google search, I learned that the Connecticut agency is pretty darn efficient (and friendly!), and will accommodate walk-ins without an appointment, given that one shows up prepared with the following:
- Proof of international travel
- Completed forms
- All required supporting documents (including one photo and a front and back photocopy of identification)
- A major Credit Card, Debit/Check card (not ATM cards), Check, Bank Draft, Cash (Exact Change), or Money Order to cover the application and expedited fees.
Though the New York office is essentially closer to me, I felt confident about my trip to Stamford. I arrived at 8:15 am to check in. When the doors opened at 8:30, there were about 20 people ahead of me, all with appointments… but they moved quickly. After the clerk verified my documents, I was given a number by 8:45 am and waited to be called.
My number was called in 2 minutes, and I was honestly out the door in less than 5 minutes! The fee was $200 for the new passport book and passport card. I learned that normally they will ask you to return in a few days to pick up your passport (or they will mail it), but I kindly told the gentleman that was processing my application that I lived quite a drive away, and he responded that I could pick up my passport that same day at noon. Win!
What Happens With Global Entry?
My first concern was that I would have to re-apply for Global Entry now that I had a new passport, but that is not the case. To keep your Global Entry, all you have to do is log in and click “update documents” to update your passport number once inside your portal.
All and all, I must say that I was very impressed with the process of getting a passport on the same day. Kudos to the Connecticut Passport Agency… if only every government agency can operate the way they do (with a smile too!).
Have you gotten a passport on the same day before? What office did you go to and how was your experience?
P.S. – While waiting to pick up my passport, I met up with a friend and he told me that all of the cool kids are on Snapchat now (I’m AngelinaTravels on there FWIW). I made my first story yesterday but I am sooo lost trying to figure how to use it. I got as far as learning how to put text on a snapshot… someone help me? :)
In the mean time, let’s connect everywhere else…
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That’s such a great tip, I’ve had a few passport scares, either expired or lost but after looking up the process in New York it seemed to be a long day of nail biting but it’s very assuring to hear that a same day is possible in CT. Thanks!
I found this post so helpful and good to know for future use!
I have a question. Say that my current passport isn’t full, but I have to send it out for Visas. But I have international travel within two weeks that is not related to the visa. What does one do in that circumstance?
I would hold off on sending it out for a Visa until you get back from your trip. If that is not possible, you might want to consider a rush-visa service instead of sending it out. Good luck :)
I just renewed my passport 2 weeks ago by going to passport agency in SF, my appointment was 8:30 am and I was out 8:40, picked the new passport at 3:30 this is excellent way of make sure you have your passport at your hand, the $60 fee is worthy.
My Global Entry is automatically updated, I Was able to use it without doing anything.
I agree! The $60 fee is totally worth it! I can’t imagine being without my passport for weeks LOL
Yay for government efficiency!
Question – if you have an existing and valid visa in the old non-expired passport, what happens then? Is the visa still valid?
I am in similar shoes as you, but I have been dragging my feet. I don’t want to lose the visas that I have applied to other countries!
Yes, those visas in the old passport are definitely still valid! You’ll just have to bring along the old passport when traveling where the visa is necessary :)
We used the same day service in Dallas a couple of years back; we made an appointment by telephone three days ahead of time. It’s better than sitting around worrying for six weeks that your passport isn’t going to be ready in time!
Thank you for your review!!! We are departing for a Disney cruise to the Bahamas on May 11 and I just realized last night that my daughter’s passport expires in 2 months. It needs to be valid for 6 months to board the cruise. I searched on line for help and found your page! I arrived at the Stamford Passport Office at 8am and we were the first non-appointment to get in. We were out by 8:35am and pick up the passport tomorrow at 2:15pm. Thanks to you I was able to sleep last night!!
I’m travinh out of the country for the first time. I leave September 11th and I planned on ordering my passport next Friday and getting expedited services and was told that it would arrive by mid August. But I’m afraid it won’t show up on time. Would my best bet be to just wait until 3 weeks before my trip and go directly to the agency to get it done same day? My perfectionist mind is having a hard time grasping on to that idea. Help!!!!
Hi Jade, in my experience, paying for expedited services usually gets the passport to you in less than 3 weeks. You should be fine!
Angelina,
Thank you so much for the glimmer of hope you gave me when I found this webpage! I found out Saturday night that my sons passport was missing. I have six children and didn’t realize he took his when he left for college. We are leaving Tuesday morning for Turks and Caicos, Stress is an understatement
I went to Stamford on Monday 8/13 I got there about 710 it said they open at 8 am but they started letting people in at 740 there were probably close to 40 people there already so I thought my chances were 50/50 at best. Well they are the nicest people you could ever deal with. They said don’t worry there is no way your son isn’t getting his passport today. by 915 we were done with everything. They told us to come back at 230 to pick up the passport. We went to the mall which is 1 mile down the road had breakfast and then went to the movies. the movie ended at 140 we went back and by 245 we had the passport. To anybody who sees this they know this happens all the time especially that the passport is not valid for travel to some areas if its less than 6 months before it expires. For a government agency you will be shocked at how nice they treat you. DON’T STRESS
Angelina the best to you thanks again!
I’m going nuts! And I found this blog post. I’m leaving for Cancun in two days! My girlfriend applied for her passport a month ago (we live in Bridgeport), and it still hasn’t been processed, because they are saying they need more identification. We’ve gone back and fourth to the post office with all kinds of I.D. and still the same thing. We spoke to a woman today on the phone who says we should goto the office in Stamford tomorrow.. The day before we have to leave! I pray to the sun moon and stars she is able to get her passport the same way you did due to our circumstances. Thank you for writing this blog you have revived some hope in me! I will report back and let people know what happened