Ebumbu Posted June 24, 2018 Share Posted June 24, 2018 Hi TV-ers, My US passport needs to be renewed and I'm planning to use the US "passport by mail service." I've never renewed my passport before. So, I'm being cautious. https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/passport-by-mail-service-adult-renew/ They require that I mail them my current, valid passport. So, I will be without a passport (and visa page) for 4-6 weeks. Should I scan all pages before sending? Take a picture with my phone? What's considered "best practices" for being without a passport for 4-6 weeks? What do I do if stopped by police and my passport is requested? I stay out of trouble here, but you never know. What if I got into an auto accident, for example? I want to be sure the process is secure, so I plan to get a Thai PO box before proceeding. Good idea? I don't think a signature is required. Any general advice on doing this right would be appreciated. And, if I'm overthinking it, fine. ? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanLaew Posted June 24, 2018 Share Posted June 24, 2018 They may not deliver to a PO Box so just make sure that your home address is given in Thai and English. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChouDoufu Posted June 24, 2018 Share Posted June 24, 2018 according to the website, you need to make an appointment at the embassy to submit the package. they send the info electronically to the us for processing. change as of 01 july.....they cancel your old passport and return it to you then. https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/adult-passport-renew/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebumbu Posted June 24, 2018 Author Share Posted June 24, 2018 (edited) 25 minutes ago, ChouDoufu said: according to the website, you need to make an appointment at the embassy to submit the package. they send the info electronically to the us for processing. "If you are residing in Thailand, you may be eligible to renew your passport and/or change your surname on your passport by MAIL." It then lists criteria. "You are eligible to renew your U.S. passport by mail if all of the following statements are TRUE" I can answer TRUE to all criteria, so I can use mail. It gives choice of couriers. "Ensure you select a courier service that will provide you with a tracking number. You may send your completed application package through the following couriers ..." Edited June 24, 2018 by Ebumbu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChouDoufu Posted June 24, 2018 Share Posted June 24, 2018 yes, but if you don't want to be without a passport for 4-6 weeks, looks like you have to submit in person, and still have the return by mail option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebumbu Posted June 24, 2018 Author Share Posted June 24, 2018 It's true that I'd still wait for the returned passport, even if I flew to Bangkok. So, my question is: what should I do to avoid "TIT" problems while I'm waiting for my passport to be mailed back? Should I just scan each page and keep an image in my phone? What do I do if a BIB asked for my passport? Looking for recommendations from members who have experience and can suggest how to avoid problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thailand J Posted June 24, 2018 Share Posted June 24, 2018 copy, scan or take pictures of the pages just in case you need to show them. Don't worry too much. Been here many years only carry a copy of my passport in my car. I only needed my passport for hotel check ins and when I went to immigration office. Bangkok is not too far from Pattaya, I opted to apply in person and i am glad I did. My photo had blue back ground and was rejected. I was able to use the photo booth and avoided delay. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thailand J Posted June 24, 2018 Share Posted June 24, 2018 I was going to say double check everything before you send out the package in case you opt to use the mail. EMS is very reliable. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 10 hours ago, Ebumbu said: They require that I mail them my current, valid passport. So, I will be without a passport (and visa page) for 4-6 weeks Not sure where you are getting the 4 to 6 weeks number from. The website says about 3 weeks. In reality it will be about 2 weeks. I suggest you print out the scans of your passport photo page and any other page relevant to your permit to stay. If asked for your passport by an authority explain to them you have sent it the US embassy. Keep the emergency phone number for the embassy handy incase you were to have a problem. Be sure you take care of anything that you might need your passport for before mailing it. Be sure and keep the receipt for sending your passport. You could use a PO box number since your new passport will be sent to you by Thai post but I see no reason to do it. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey346 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 I did my passport by mail. It took 2 weeks. If your worried about not having it, take a photo copy. It will be returned via EMS, so use your home or office address.. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjoo888 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 (edited) I renewed my US passport about two years ago at the embassy in Bangkok. Unless things have changed, if you choose to receive your new passport by mail, you must surrender your current passport when you apply. If you choose to pick-up your passport when it arrives at the embassy, you can keep your current passport until then. When you arrive to pick up your new passport, they will invalidate your old passport it, punch a hole through it and return it to you. If you're anywhere near Bangkok, you do have a choice to keep your passport until the new one arrives. Also, in my case at least, the time it took to get my new passport was about 8 days. Edited June 25, 2018 by gjoo888 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post new2here Posted June 25, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted June 25, 2018 (edited) 51 minutes ago, gjoo888 said: I renewed my US passport about two years ago at the embassy in Bangkok. Unless things have changed, if you choose to receive your new passport by mail, you must surrender your current passport when you apply. If you choose to pick-up your passport when it arrives at the embassy, you can keep your current passport until then. When you arrive to pick up your new passport, they will invalidate your old passport it, punch a hole through it and return it to you. If you're anywhere near Bangkok, you do have a choice to keep your passport until the new one arrives. Also, in my case at least, the time it took to get my new passport was about 8 days. Your experience and mine are identical... my passport came back in exactly 8 days - well before the stamped date (I recall stated 14 calendar days) on the pick-up reminder slip I was given at the time of renewal submission. I did the in-person process because I knew I would need my passport for some scheduled banking activity during the renewal processing time period. When I came to pick it up, I was required to turn over (for cancellation stamping) my then passport, before it and the new one were given to me — along with the “immigration stamps” transfer request letter as well. my colleague did the via mail and his took about 2 weeks in total - but in his case, he knew he’d have no planned need to have his passport with him.. but he did take a scan of each page - just to be safe. Since this process is an “appointment required” thing, I tecall is was in and out in under :20 on the submission side and less than :10 on the pick-up side... on the days I went, the ACS area was very quiet, compared to the Non-immigrant visa section which was teeming with hopefuls. Edited June 25, 2018 by new2here 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRUSA Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 (edited) ?I was staying in Saigon when mine was expiring, went to the embassy did the paperwork and had a new passport in 10 days. Take a little holiday trip and get it done.. Edited June 25, 2018 by JRUSA 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebumbu Posted June 25, 2018 Author Share Posted June 25, 2018 7 hours ago, ubonjoe said: Not sure where you are getting the 4 to 6 weeks number from. The website says about 3 weeks. In reality it will be about 2 weeks. I suggest you print out the scans of your passport photo page and any other page relevant to your permit to stay. If asked for your passport by an authority explain to them you have sent it the US embassy. Keep the emergency phone number for the embassy handy incase you were to have a problem. Be sure you take care of anything that you might need your passport for before mailing it. Be sure and keep the receipt for sending your passport. You could use a PO box number since your new passport will be sent to you by Thai post but I see no reason to do it. Excellent. I was padding 3 weeks, based on typical mail-delays, TIT, and just Murphy's Law. Glad to here it should be faster. I appreciate what you do here. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebumbu Posted June 25, 2018 Author Share Posted June 25, 2018 (edited) Thanks to everyone for the reassuring answers. I just don't want to make a dumb move, so I thought I'd check in with the experts here first. Will sort a couple passport things before sending it in. And, will get a waterproof mailbox. ? Edited June 25, 2018 by Ebumbu 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
just bob Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 Anyone here know if you can do the walk-in service in Chiang Mai? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 7 minutes ago, just bob said: Anyone here know if you can do the walk-in service in Chiang Mai? It can be done that at the consulate. Same procedures as the embassy. https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/adult-passport-renew/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterA Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 I just sent mine off today to do it by mail. A few things. Make sure the bank issues Drafts. Not checks, not cashiers checks. Double check the spelling for "American Embassy Bangkok". There are the forms from the DS 82, as well as the need for the check list. I found the need for the checklist to be included while sitting at the post office. Good luck! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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