New US passport

[nkped 1,208]

Just in case anyone is facing this right now and will be making the application in the US.

• Info on requirements, a link to fill out and print the application on your computer and to check the status of the application at http://travel.state.gov/passport/renew/renew_833.html You do have to send in the paper application.
• Determined (correctly) that I did not need to apply in person
• Fought with auto fill functions and defaults and eventually got the application filled out correctly
• Sent off the application, the required photo, the old passport and a personal check for the required fee on April 17 by express mail
• Tracking the express mail knew it got to the passport center in Philadelphia on April 18--yes BigD, the Postal Service did well
• Was able to confirm online that it was in the system in about 5 days--also got an email confirmation
• They were advertising 4-6 week turnaround
• Got my new 52 page passport book in the mail today (May 13)--If I remember correctly the online form defaults to 28 page book so check that.
• Updated the passport number in the DHS/CBP Global Entry system online.

[bigdelta 46]

Thanks for sharing that & the link.

My passport was full in 6 years and I sent it in for more pages.So they added 24 more pages and there was no charge and the returned it express mail.It was amended in May,2010.Less than a month later,they were charging an absurd amount for additional pages.The new pages have letters on the bottom whereas the original pages had numbers at the top and quotes from famous Americans.

Does the new passport have the same format & was the 52 page version more than 28 page?

Edited May 14, 2013 by bigdelta

[nkped 1,208]

In the 52 page passport book, the pages are all numbered with the quotations. The fee is the same. Semi-educated guess--if pages are added to a US passport and it is apparent they have been added (I'm guessing it would be) the lettering of the added pages would be a first check that they were added by the State Department and not someone unofficial. Might be that if you presented a passport with added pages and they were all numbered, you might get to have a long meaningful conversation with CBP, or, if you were really lucky, with the authorities someplace outside the US.

 

I would have had to have gotten a new passport within a year in any event and all of the pages were used up in the old one with the last trip.

[bigdelta 46]

It hasn't been a issue yet.In fact,the add'l pages aren't even the same color.Inside the back cover,it states,"This passport was amended on May 11,2010 to add visa pages to passport number ---------. Immigration officials here usually just scan it and abroad they usually look at the pic and expiration date and for a blank page to stamp.