US Passport Renewal Update Information

[khaepmu]

I am thinking of renewing my passport by mail as many of you are. But I might just do it in person like I did nine and a half years ago. My passport expires  early November of this year. If my memory is correct, I remember making an appointment and then going to the embassy and getting my passport easily and quickly. You could even get your photos done there. I went on the embassy's website a few weeks ago and it stated that you have to go to the embassy eight weeks before for a new passport. Could that be right? I then emailed the embassy asking them how long in advance I should go to the embassy to renew my passport and they emailed me back the same website info. Eight weeks. I don't remember having to go to the embassy eight weeks in advance. So i guess eight weeks it is.  I hope you can get the passport the same day.

[Jingthing]

34 minutes ago, khaepmu said:

I am thinking of renewing my passport by mail as many of you are. But I might just do it in person like I did nine and a half years ago. My passport expires  early November of this year. If my memory is correct, I remember making an appointment and then going to the embassy and getting my passport easily and quickly. You could even get your photos done there. I went on the embassy's website a few weeks ago and it stated that you have to go to the embassy eight weeks before for a new passport. Could that be right? I then emailed the embassy asking them how long in advance I should go to the embassy to renew my passport and they emailed me back the same website info. Eight weeks. I don't remember having to go to the embassy eight weeks in advance. So i guess eight weeks it is.  I hope you can get the passport the same day.

Passport same day impossible.

Maybe for an emergency travel passport if you've lost your passport. 

6 to 8 weeks is the standard info but many reports of passport applications by mail turning around in a month.

It's possible unfortunately that things might be slower now because of deep staff cuts at the state department.

[zzzzz]

1 hour ago, khaepmu said:

I am thinking of renewing my passport by mail as many of you are. But I might just do it in person like I did nine and a half years ago. My passport expires  early November of this year. If my memory is correct, I remember making an appointment and then going to the embassy and getting my passport easily and quickly. You could even get your photos done there. I went on the embassy's website a few weeks ago and it stated that you have to go to the embassy eight weeks before for a new passport. Could that be right? I then emailed the embassy asking them how long in advance I should go to the embassy to renew my passport and they emailed me back the same website info. Eight weeks. I don't remember having to go to the embassy eight weeks in advance. So i guess eight weeks it is.  I hope you can get the passport the same day.

its all mail in now, events of 6+ years ago are worthless
although a friend of mine did his at the embassy in feb, 24 days turn around, got an appt for something other than renewal for passport

did mine when i had 16 months left so no idea why if ur passport expires in Nov ur you have not applied already
oct 2023 took 42 days 

[sqwakvfr]

Today I mailed off my passport renewal application packet from CNX.  A little bit of trivial information is that DHL is really not an option.  I went to the local DHL office and was told "we only do international".  I always wondered why the US Embassy suggested DHL as an option to mail in the renewal application.  Now the waiting begins.   Thai Post from CNX to BKK was only 47 Baht and the Thai Post employee did say it will arrive tomrorrow   I have just over one year left on passport validity and have always renewed about a year before expiration. 

[sqwakvfr]

This is getting off to a bad start.  Just checked on Thai Post website for the delivery of the passport renewal application and it indicates "failed to deliver/government office closed".  Of course the Embassy is open because Memorial day was yesterday.  Called Thai Post customer service twice and they do not know where my package is.  

[Jingthing]

On 5/26/2025 at 1:47 PM, sqwakvfr said:

Today I mailed off my passport renewal application packet from CNX.  A little bit of trivial information is that DHL is really not an option.  I went to the local DHL office and was told "we only do international".  I always wondered why the US Embassy suggested DHL as an option to mail in the renewal application.  Now the waiting begins.   Thai Post from CNX to BKK was only 47 Baht and the Thai Post employee did say it will arrive tomrorrow   I have just over one year left on passport validity and have always renewed about a year before expiration. 

I used DHL from Jomtien to Bangkok.

But it cost 800 baht.

[sqwakvfr]

Just now, Jingthing said:

I used DHL from Jomtien to Bangkok.

But it cost 800 baht.

Probably more reliable. If I get my PP back I might just lfy to Bkk and mail it from the nearest Thai Post office from the Embassy, 

[sqwakvfr]

I hope this does not turn into a mess:

1. Thai Post says the US Embassy does not accept mail after 1200 PM.  Thai Post claims they tried to deliver at 100 PM but on one was there to accept  the package.

2. The US Embassy just said "today was a normal business day".  Then I was accused of being rude on email.  I guess the embassy was offended by my tone.  

3. Thai Post will attempt to deliver tomorrow once the package is found. 

 

Anyway hopefully this will be settled tomorrow. 

 

 

 

 

[Jingthing]

1 hour ago, sqwakvfr said:

I hope this does not turn into a mess:

1. Thai Post says the US Embassy does not accept mail after 1200 PM.  Thai Post claims they tried to deliver at 100 PM but on one was there to accept  the package.

2. The US Embassy just said "today was a normal business day".  Then I was accused of being rude on email.  I guess the embassy was offended by my tone.  

3. Thai Post will attempt to deliver tomorrow once the package is found. 

 

Anyway hopefully this will be settled tomorrow. 

 

 

 

 

That's totally bizarre to have a noon cutoff like that. Anyway good luck.

[sqwakvfr]

20 hours ago, Jingthing said:

That's totally bizarre to have a noon cutoff like that. Anyway good luck.

I think the claim by Thai Post that the US Embassy does not accept mail after 1200 is not true.  I just checked on the Thai Post website it indicates the renewal package was delivered today at 1430.  I called Thai Post customer service twice this morning and I wast told it would be delivered in the morning. Ok, TIT.  I have used Thai Post 3 times in 7 years and this experience has convinced me if there is a next time then I will have to find a DHL office that does domestic shipping.  Now the real waiting begins and I hope it does not take the full 8 weeks.  

[marin]

I did mine in January and was also quite worried about the process. Getting this back from the US embassy 3 days after sending it off made me feel better. It was returned to me in 19 days. 

 

Bangkok ACS

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Fri 1/31/2025 6:30 AM

 

Dear Applicant,

 

Thank you for your email.

 

Your passport application was well-received and is currently being processed.

 

Passport renewal process may take up to 6 to 8 weeks from when we receive your complete application package. You may trace your new passport package after some processing time has passed by using the tracking number you received upon purchasing a return envelope from Thailand Post Mart here  https://track.thailandpost.co.th/.

 

Please note that expedited service is unavailable when applying for U.S. passport overseas.

 

Regards,

 

American Citizens Services │U.S. Embassy Bangkok 

95 Witthayu Road, Lumphini, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

02-205-4000 (Thailand) │+1-202-640-2632 (USA) │ +66-2-205-4000 (International)

Email: [email protected] │Website: https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/ (TK-RCS)

[sqwakvfr]

57 minutes ago, marin said:

I did mine in January and was also quite worried about the process. Getting this back from the US embassy 3 days after sending it off made me feel better. It was returned to me in 19 days. 

 

Bangkok ACS

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Fri 1/31/2025 6:30 AM

 

Dear Applicant,

 

Thank you for your email.

 

Your passport application was well-received and is currently being processed.

 

Passport renewal process may take up to 6 to 8 weeks from when we receive your complete application package. You may trace your new passport package after some processing time has passed by using the tracking number you received upon purchasing a return envelope from Thailand Post Mart here  https://track.thailandpost.co.th/.

 

Please note that expedited service is unavailable when applying for U.S. passport overseas.

 

Regards,

 

American Citizens Services │U.S. Embassy Bangkok 

95 Witthayu Road, Lumphini, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

02-205-4000 (Thailand) │+1-202-640-2632 (USA) │ +66-2-205-4000 (International)

Email: [email protected] │Website: https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/ (TK-RCS)

Wow. 19 Days is incredible. 

[Jingthing]

January is a slow travel season so the passport office has low volume then.