Renewing U.S. Passport

[jackcorbett 2]

What I do know is this. One should renew it within about six months of its expiration. Mine is expiring in about six months. I need to go to the U.S. Embassy web site to make an appointment there and I'll need identification such as my current U.S. passport plus two pictures. Cost will be about $75.00 U.S. and after I get the passport I can take the new passport to Immigration to have stamps put in the new one.

 

What I want to know is 1. How long will it take to get the new passport? 2. Is it issued straight out of the Embassy so that I can get it in a day or two while staying in a Bangkok Hotel or does it take a great deal longer than this so that it must be sent to my condo where I'm living full time in Pattaya?

 

Also...If I can manage to get the new passport in short order I might want to stay in a hotel near the Embassy. (any recommendations?) Normally while staying in Bangkok I might stay at one or two hotels to my liking near the Pantip Computer Mall where I can easily spend hours a day checking out the latest computer hardware, computer software, buy a few movies, etc. If I stay at one of these hotels which has quick access to the Skytrain how might that figure in or taxi that gets me quickly to the U.S. Embassy?

[bigdelta 46]

What I do know is this. One should renew it within about six months of its expiration. Mine is expiring in about six months. I need to go to the U.S. Embassy web site to make an appointment there and I'll need identification such as my current U.S. passport plus two pictures. Cost will be about $75.00 U.S. and after I get the passport I can take the new passport to Immigration to have stamps put in the new one.

 

What I want to know is 1. How long will it take to get the new passport? 2. Is it issued straight out of the Embassy so that I can get it in a day or two while staying in a Bangkok Hotel or does it take a great deal longer than this so that it must be sent to my condo where I'm living full time in Pattaya?

 

Also...If I can manage to get the new passport in short order I might want to stay in a hotel near the Embassy. (any recommendations?) Normally while staying in Bangkok I might stay at one or two hotels to my liking near the Pantip Computer Mall where I can easily spend hours a day checking out the latest computer hardware, computer software, buy a few movies, etc. If I stay at one of these hotels which has quick access to the Skytrain how might that figure in or taxi that gets me quickly to the U.S. Embassy?

Though this may have no bearing whatsoever,but the embassy in Frankfurt issued a passport for me,same day,after mine was stolen from my loom back in the early 80s.

Will the embassy accept payment in baht or only USD?

Edited December 18, 2008 by LTGTR

[madwizard 0]

What I do know is this. One should renew it within about six months of its expiration. Mine is expiring in about six months. I need to go to the U.S. Embassy web site to make an appointment there and I'll need identification such as my current U.S. passport plus two pictures. Cost will be about $75.00 U.S. and after I get the passport I can take the new passport to Immigration to have stamps put in the new one.

 

What I want to know is 1. How long will it take to get the new passport? 2. Is it issued straight out of the Embassy so that I can get it in a day or two while staying in a Bangkok Hotel or does it take a great deal longer than this so that it must be sent to my condo where I'm living full time in Pattaya?

 

Also...If I can manage to get the new passport in short order I might want to stay in a hotel near the Embassy. (any recommendations?) Normally while staying in Bangkok I might stay at one or two hotels to my liking near the Pantip Computer Mall where I can easily spend hours a day checking out the latest computer hardware, computer software, buy a few movies, etc. If I stay at one of these hotels which has quick access to the Skytrain how might that figure in or taxi that gets me quickly to the U.S. Embassy?

 

 

I just got one from the Bangkok embassy. Takes 2-3 weeks. Make sure you take 2" x 2" photos on a white background.

[Emil 0]

I renewed mine in LOS this past summer. Unless your planning to travel outside of LOS within the next 6 months I would wait closer to your expiration as you get 10 years from the time that your issued your new passport so you would loose a few months (wait for their next visit to Pattaya to save yourself a trip). I applied for mine when the US Embassy made one of their routine visit to Pattaya so I only had to travel to Bangkok to pick it up about 12 days latter. Also I applied for a passport with the additional pages.

 

Once you get your new passport then take both passports to Jomtien immigration. They will ask you to leave both passports and you'll pick them up the next day, no charges.

 

Will the embassy accept payment in baht or only USD?

 

Either

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

I renewed last summer at the Embassy on Wireless. Made an appointment on the web site, and was in and out in 30 minutes with the application. Picked it up 2 weeks later, they won't mail it to you, 10 minutes and out. Surprised how painless it was, but getting the visa transferred was another matter. Feel sorry for the Canadians who have to renew every 5 years.

 

Great artwork on the new passports!

Edited December 18, 2008 by RhinoTusk

[joekicker 53]

These days all US passports are issued only from Washington and as a post above says - one to two weeks, plan for three. Same-day service expired several years ago.

 

The main US Embassy in Bangkok has very efficient service in very cramped and busy quarters. Take your money (baht is fine) and your white-background pics and you'll be in and out, twice, in less than one hour altogether.

 

Most places you travel, and everywhere you need an actual visa, needs a passport with more than six months of validity, so everyone should plan accordingly.

[laffnliv 78]

The U. S. Embassy has an outreach program to Pattaya (and other locals) a couple of times each year. This year it was at the Dusit Hotel. A half-day service. I filled out the papers there, and paid the money. I was told to call the Embassy in five days to see if the new passport was in. Did so, and it was. Did an up and back run and picked up the passport. From Pattaya to Embassy and return it was just under 5 hours. Extremely courteous and efficient service.

 

Little Roy

[madwizard 0]

. Surprised how painless it was, but getting the visa transferred was another matter. Feel sorry for the Canadians who have to renew every 5 years.

 

Great artwork on the new passports!

 

I transfered my visa over a few days ago in Jomtien. Wasn't a problem at all. Took 10 minutes.

[jackcorbett 2]

Many thanks everyone. I will now make the appointment on the U.S. Embassy web site. Since it looks like all U.S. passports are created in Washington, I think I'll arrange a taxi round trip back to Pattaya and plan on a return trip to the U.S. Embassy in about three weeks to pick up the new passport. I had been thinking of getting a hotel for one or two nights in Bangkok but have no special reason to stay there. No ifs and buts about it, this is a real pain in the derriere but I'll have to bite the bullet. Thankfully it happens only once every ten years which realistically will be very 9.5 years.

 

My passport expires on June 21. The reason I want to get this done a.s.a.p. is if one leaves Thailand one cannot get back in on a U.S. passport if there is a period of less than six months remaining until its expiration. And if I should wait for the embassy to send their people to Pattaya once every six months unless I'm very lucky I will have the same problem. So my thinking now is to stay in a hotel in Bangkok about three weeks from now, shop at the Panthip Computer Center, but this go around just to grin and bear it (while sustaining the expense as well).

[Emil 0]

Many thanks everyone. I will now make the appointment on the U.S. Embassy web site. Since it looks like all U.S. passports are created in Washington, I think I'll arrange a taxi round trip back to Pattaya and plan on a return trip to the U.S. Embassy in about three weeks to pick up the new passport. I had been thinking of getting a hotel for one or two nights in Bangkok but have no special reason to stay there. No ifs and buts about it, this is a real pain in the derriere but I'll have to bite the bullet. Thankfully it happens only once every ten years which realistically will be very 9.5 years.

 

My passport expires on June 21. The reason I want to get this done a.s.a.p. is if one leaves Thailand one cannot get back in on a U.S. passport if there is a period of less than six months remaining until its expiration. And if I should wait for the embassy to send their people to Pattaya once every six months unless I'm very lucky I will have the same problem. So my thinking now is to stay in a hotel in Bangkok about three weeks from now, shop at the Panthip Computer Center, but this go around just to grin and bear it (while sustaining the expense as well).

 

 

Like I mentioned earlier, the US Embassy makes trips to Pattaya. If I were you I would first shoot off an email to them to ask when is their next outreach to Pattaya. They might just be coming during January so you could wind up in Bangkok when they're in Pattaya.

 

Not all US passports are created in Washington. My original was issued by the National Passport Center in Washington but the one I renewed this past August was issued by the United States Department of State which is home to all US Embassys. If you do go to Bangkok to get your passport you might inquire in they can fast track the process. It will cost you more but would save you the cost of another trip and the time.

Edited December 19, 2008 by Emil

[bigdelta 46]

Like I mentioned earlier, the US Embassy makes trips to Pattaya. If I were you I would first shoot off an email to them to ask when is their next outreach to Pattaya. They might just be coming during January so you could wind up in Bangkok when they're in Pattaya.

 

Not all US passports are created in Washington. My original was issued by the National Passport Center in Washington but the one I renewed this past August was issued by the United States Department of State which is home to all US Embassys. If you do go to Bangkok to get your passport you might inquire in they can fast track the process. It will cost you more but would save you the cost of another trip and the time.

 

The National Passport Center is located in New Hampshire,at the former Pease AFB.

So if everyone thinks their new or renewed passport is coming from Washington,DC,think again.It has been the case for quite some time.

[Emil 0]

The National Passport Center is located in New Hampshire,at the former Pease AFB.

So if everyone thinks their new or renewed passport is coming from Washington,DC,think again.It has been the case for quite some time.

 

I wouldn't care where the National Passport Center is located unless I was driving to the place to pick it up. Since my original was mailed to me it wouldn't matter if the place was located in Death Valley. The point of this topic is where are renewals that are processed by the US Embassy in Bangkok originating. I've seen US citizens at the US Embassy in Bangkok who have lost their passports, so unless they are getting a special piece of paper or document to enable them to get thru immigration at BKK then they are getting their passport issued by the Embassy.

[redwood13 56]

Hours of Operation

 

The American Citizen Services unit is open to the public Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., except Thai and American holidays. (In addition, the consular service section is closed to the public on the last Friday of every month.) Please bring your passport or other identification. For general recorded information, please call (02) 205-4005. The ACS unit's fax number is (02) 205-4103. Our e-mail address is acsbkk@state.gov.

 

Guess who went on the last Friday of August 2008?

 

-redwood

[bigdelta 46]

I wouldn't care where the National Passport Center is located unless I was driving to the place to pick it up. Since my original was mailed to me it wouldn't matter if the place was located in Death Valley. The point of this topic is where are renewals that are processed by the US Embassy in Bangkok originating. I've seen US citizens at the US Embassy in Bangkok who have lost their passports, so unless they are getting a special piece of paper or document to enable them to get thru immigration at BKK then they are getting their passport issued by the Embassy.

Lighten up-it was just a head's up.

 

Hours of Operation

 

The American Citizen Services unit is open to the public Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., except Thai and American holidays. (In addition, the consular service section is closed to the public on the last Friday of every month.) Please bring your passport or other identification. For general recorded information, please call (02) 205-4005. The ACS unit's fax number is (02) 205-4103. Our e-mail address is acsbkk@state.gov.

 

Guess who went on the last Friday of August 2008?

 

-redwood

Does the American Citizen Services Unit issue the passport?

[Emil 0]

Lighten up-it was just a head's up.

Does the American Citizen Services Unit issue the passport?

 

 

I used a smiley not a bang head or bend over and show my ass emoticon.

 

If you go back and look at the post that you 1st quoted me, I stated that the passport was issued by the US Department of State. Seriously if you mean where do you pick it up, I picked mine up at the Embassy and if your familar with its layout its the small office area that's off to the right when you approach the office areas after going thru security. Same place one goes to pick up their verification for monthly pension or adding additional pages to their passport. Since I submitted my application forms when they did their outreach at the Dusit I can't comment where at the Embassy you would turn in that paperwork.

Edited December 24, 2008 by Emil

[redwood13 56]

Lighten up-it was just a head's up.

Does the American Citizen Services Unit issue the passport?

 

Yes.

 

The mission of the American Citizen Services (ACS) office is to provide assistance to U.S. citizens in Thailand. We provide services or information in the following areas:

 

* Passport and citizenship services

* Emergency assistance

* Marriage in Thailand

* Birth of U.S. citizens

* Death of U.S. citizens

* Notary and authentication services

* Guidelines on living and working in Thailand

* Driving in Thailand

* Federal Benefits, taxes and voting

* Legal matters in Thailand

 

-redwood

[bigdelta 46]

Yes.

 

The mission of the American Citizen Services (ACS) office is to provide assistance to U.S. citizens in Thailand. We provide services or information in the following areas:

 

* Passport and citizenship services

* Emergency assistance

* Marriage in Thailand

* Birth of U.S. citizens

* Death of U.S. citizens

* Notary and authentication services

* Guidelines on living and working in Thailand

* Driving in Thailand

* Federal Benefits, taxes and voting

* Legal matters in Thailand

 

-redwood

Thanks.I wish you could add pages to my passport as I'll probably need them before expiration.

Edited December 26, 2008 by LTGTR

[Emil 0]

Thanks.I wish you could add pages to my passport as I'll probably need them before expiration.

 

 

Can be done. I did mine about 3 years ago. Went to the Embassy, filled out a form and gave them my passport and form, waited a short time and then my name was called and my TGF and I were out of there. No cost.

[Gary 4,118]

To sum it up, they are issued in the US. The embassy will NOT mail the new passport to you within Thailand. It took mine 15 days and they requested that I pick it up in person. If you have a Thai visa, the embassy will give you a letter asking the Thai immigration to transfer the visa into your new passport. About the only thing free anymore is the extra pages. That is quick and easy.

[Sa-teef 44]

To sum it up, they are issued in the US. The embassy will NOT mail the new passport to you within Thailand. It took mine 15 days and they requested that I pick it up in person. If you have a Thai visa, the embassy will give you a letter asking the Thai immigration to transfer the visa into your new passport. About the only thing free anymore is the extra pages. That is quick and easy.

 

Yes, the additional pages are still free as of May 2008.

I did both the income verification letter and adding pages on the same day at ACS in Bangkok that month.

Quick service from polite, well-spoken Thai staff who had me out of there in less than two hours.

 

"....Can be done. I did mine about 3 years ago. Went to the Embassy, filled out a form and gave them my passport and form, waited a short time and then my name was called and my TGF and I were out of there. No cost."

 

I think they have changed their procedures a bit since then. When I went to ACS they wouldn't let the TG who was accompanying me into the compound, even though I had listed her when I made the appointment online.

 

I took the BTS to the top of Wireless Rd but the shuttle buses at 7:30 in the morning are crammed with thais trying to get to work. So it was an easy 10 minute walk down Wireless Rd to the American Citizens Service office across from the embassy grounds.

 

~Sa-teef

[Emil 0]

Yes, the additional pages are still free as of May 2008.

I did both the income verification letter and adding pages on the same day at ACS in Bangkok that month.

Quick service from polite, well-spoken Thai staff who had me out of there in less than two hours.

 

"....Can be done. I did mine about 3 years ago. Went to the Embassy, filled out a form and gave them my passport and form, waited a short time and then my name was called and my TGF and I were out of there. No cost."

 

I think they have changed their procedures a bit since then. When I went to ACS they wouldn't let the TG who was accompanying me into the compound, even though I had listed her when I made the appointment online.

 

I took the BTS to the top of Wireless Rd but the shuttle buses at 7:30 in the morning are crammed with thais trying to get to work. So it was an easy 10 minute walk down Wireless Rd to the American Citizens Service office across from the embassy grounds.

 

~Sa-teef

 

Steve they must have thought that I was a VIP as I went there this past July to pick up my new passport which had the additional pages and get my income verification. I had applied for the passport 12 days earlier when they did their outreach at the Dusit in Pattaya.

 

Went in with TGF and didn't have any appointment. Picked up the passport along with the letter to immigration requesting the transfer of visa. Gave them my form for the income verification, paid the $30 at the cashiers cage and about 30 minutes latter we were out of there.

 

When we went there in 2007 the TGF noticed Tata Young and her father arrive in the same small office. I told her to go over and ask for her autograph but she was too shy.

Edited December 28, 2008 by Emil

[bigdelta 46]

Can be done. I did mine about 3 years ago. Went to the Embassy, filled out a form and gave them my passport and form, waited a short time and then my name was called and my TGF and I were out of there. No cost.

Good to hear.I have 4 pages left and 5 years to go.

[bigdelta 46]

I used a smiley not a bang head or bend over and show my ass emoticon.

 

If you go back and look at the post that you 1st quoted me, I stated that the passport was issued by the US Department of State. Seriously if you mean where do you pick it up, I picked mine up at the Embassy and if your familar with its layout its the small office area that's off to the right when you approach the office areas after going thru security. Same place one goes to pick up their verification for monthly pension or adding additional pages to their passport. Since I submitted my application forms when they did their outreach at the Dusit I can't comment where at the Embassy you would turn in that paperwork.

Yes,you stated,"from Washington".