I've got 6 months before my USA passport is done and am in the process of going over the paperwork for it's renewal in Thailand. I'm living here on a Retirement visa which I will have to renew at the end life of my current passport. 

 

As I am filling out the paperwork for the passport renewal that is done at the US embassy here in Bangkok, it states in the " information on how to receive your passport" section which is part of the whole explanation about renewing a passport while outside the United States, "NOTE: The US Department of State will not mail a US passport to a private address outside the United States or Canada".

 

One can only mail in a passport for renewal, no appointments, no meetings, no phone calls.

I haven't attempted to call their National (USA?) info number as it is a 877 number and the hours don't work for me right now.

 

Has anyone renewed a US passport living in Thailand and had to have it mailed to a US address, or have you gotten it at your Thai address?

 

There's a thread here that may be useful......https://aseannow.com/topic/1360906-us-passport-renewal-update-information/

I sent my packet in last week to the BKK Embassy. Part of the process is to prepay for return envelope from Thai Post at 100 Baht.  The instruction on passport renewal will have it.  

 

Insured Return Envelope Fee:
Pay Courier Pass Back electronically via Thailand Post Mart website. 
(If the page appears in Thai, you may use a translate function into English at 
the top right corner of the page.)
 Please provide invoice number THP________________________

2 hours ago, Brn2Trvl said:

"NOTE: The US Department of State will not mail a US passport to a private address outside the United States or Canada".

That's because the State Department sends the new passport to the embassy. 

 

The embassy then mails the passports--'old' one and the new one--to your address here. It's pretty straightforward. I've never heard of any report there having been an issue with final delivery to the recipient of the passports. Just follow the directions.

 

As for your other question, it implies submission of a passport renewal in Thailand. And asking if it would be mailed to the U.S.? I'm gonna guess, that is not gonna fly, ie, not be possible.

You need to purchase the Courier Pass Back Envelope from Thai Post.  
www.thailandpostmart.com

All of this is explained on the US Embassy's web site about US passport renewals.   

Many good threads here recently with details, can be found with a search.

 

https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/instructions-for-ds-82-processing-by-mail-and-online-fee-payment-for-u-s-citizens-residing-in-thailand/

 

8 minutes ago, ThreeCardMonte said:

I actually believe the passports are printed at the BKK embassy as mine was delivered in about 10 days. 

 

Based on some 'experts' here this seems incorrect. They've said that the details are transmitted electronically to the National Passport Processing Center in NH, where Passports are produced, then couriered back to the Embassy. 

17 minutes ago, ThreeCardMonte said:

 

I actually believe the passports are printed at the BKK embassy as mine was delivered in about 10 days.

No

Honestly, I would not feel safe to receive my new passport by post, what in case it might be lost?!. I would prefer to pick it up in person at the embassy!

3 minutes ago, ThreeCardMonte said:

Confirmable or a guess?

No guess. Made in the US of A

29 minutes ago, ThreeCardMonte said:

Took about 10 days for me to receive mine in Thailand.

 

Used my condo address.  No problems.  

10 days from the date u mailed it to the embassy?  dam
mine in nov 2023 took over 42 days

its sent by ems to ur address from the embassy in Bangkok

15 minutes ago, ThreeCardMonte said:

I know there made under the direction of the US government.

I’m asking specifically about the passports received by US citizens in Thailand.

 

Next time I’m at ACS, I’ll ask.  

 

US Embassy in Bangkok has not done passports for many years. They are sent to the US for processing.

56 minutes ago, Jack1988 said:

Honestly, I would not feel safe to receive my new passport by post, what in case it might be lost?!. I would prefer to pick it up in person at the embassy!

But you're not given a choice.  

Thanks everyone for your answers, comments and advices, they are well taken. I now feel confident and in control to proceed with the process. Cheers

18 hours ago, ThreeCardMonte said:

42 days? Where?  USA or Thailand?

 

Mine was sent to me in Thailand by the Embassy.

old one and application sent ems  from phuket to bangkok, new one sent back to Phuket from Bangkok

17 hours ago, flexomike said:

US Embassy in Bangkok has not done passports for many years. They are sent to the US for processing.

Not true< friend of mine got his in feb This year< made an appt for something else, filled out application and submitted it
got it back AT the embassy 25 days later

21 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

Not true< friend of mine got his in feb This year< made an appt for something else, filled out application and submitted it
got it back AT the embassy 25 days later

The guy you quoted was referring to earlier chit chat about where are the passports made in response to someone asking. 

 

Anyway they are made (printed) in USA

38 minutes ago, zzzzz said:

Not true< friend of mine got his in feb This year< made an appt for something else, filled out application and submitted it
got it back AT the embassy 25 days later

25 days is plenty of time to send and receive documents from the embassy to the state department and back. Embassies have special US mail protocols.

Embassies don't produce passports except for emergency travel ones if you lose your passport only good for travel back to the US.

3 hours ago, zzzzz said:

Not true< friend of mine got his in feb This year< made an appt for something else, filled out application and submitted it
got it back AT the embassy 25 days later

He just submitted it at the Embassy, they don't do passports in Bangkok.

I received my new and old passport after 3 weeks (a month ago). Good job 👍.