Renew USA Passport by Mail - Time frame and detail questions

[LivingNThailand]

I need to renew my USA passport before my next visa extension in March.  I also need to renew my driver's license in September.  My plan is to renew my passport early so I can have the new passport number on my new driver's license, thus avoiding several unnecessary trips to immigration and the Department of Land Transport.  

 

A couple of questions for anyone who has renewed their USA passport recently.

 

1. The embassy website states that it takes 6-8 weeks to process a new passport.  The last time my wife did it about 4-5 years ago it was only 18 days from the post office to my door.  Has anyone experienced this long time frame or a shorter time frame?

 

2.  The fee of $130.  The application form says I can pay in the form of a personal check or money order.  I have some old checks for my USA bank account.  They are still good.  Do you think I can use one of those checks, or should I get a money order?

 

3.  On the checklist list it says application fees:  A printout of the electronic payment confirmation.   Is this in lieu of the check or money order?  How do you pay electronically?   This part is confusing.  Electronically or by check / money order for payment of $130.

 

4.  Insured return envelope fees.  The checklist says pay Courier Pass Back electronically via Thailand Post Mart website.  I found the website and signed up for an account but can't find anywhere to order and pay for the return envelope.

 

Thanks for any assistance you may give me.  The last time I renewed my passport I went to the Embassy Outreach program in Patong and they took care of most of the items for me.   Things have gotten a bit more electronically sophisticated since then.  

 

 

 

 

[DrJack54]

https://aseannow.com/topic/1351657-us-passport-renewal/

 

Cannot do appointments now. 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1362536-us-passport-renewal-address-in-thailand/

 

Embassy web site

https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/adult-passport-renew/

[Tod Daniels]

They post on the website that processing time, but recently did a US passport renewal for an elderly friend up country and he got both passports delivered to his door about 43 days after I sent the packet to the ACS division of the US Embassy here in bangkok via EMS Thai Post. 

AFAIK they don't do the "cashier check" option any more for passport renewal by mail and you pay thru the online dot gov portal 
You pay thru this portal for the US passport 
https://www.pay.gov/public/form/start/1156527186/

You BUY a return postage envelope from Thai Post Mart, and include the receipt of purchase and they send both passports to you with it 
You pay thru this portal for the return postage envelope
https://www.thailandpostmart.com/product/1013460000929 

[Tod Daniels]

This is the link for the passport renewal by mail instructions (once you answer the questions and it shows you can do mail in renewal 

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/