How long does it take to get a US Passport?

[CutiePie2000]

Originally posted by chideltjen
If you are photo saavy, see if you can take the picture yourself. Then print the photos on a photo printer to the right dimensions.

Are you sure that that is allowed? For CANADIAN PASSPORTS, the photographer has to stamp the back and initial and date the date that the photo was taken.

Yes, I realize that for the most part, this thread is talking about Americans and American Passports, but I just wanted to ask. I have never been without a passport, so I am very familiar with the process as to how to get one (a Canadian one, that is). Thanks!

Originally posted by CutiePie2000
Are you sure that that is allowed? For CANADIAN PASSPORTS, the photographer has to stamp the back and initial and date the date that the photo was taken.

Yes, I realize that for the most part, this thread is talking about Americans and American Passports, but I just wanted to ask. I have never been without a passport, so I am very familiar with the process as to how to get one (a Canadian one, that is). Thanks!

Yep, it's allowed -- passport photos don't need official stamps or initials or anything.

We cautioned our customers against doing that because the dimensions had to be exact and perfect. There had to be a certain amount of white background around your head to the edge of the photo. We'd send away irate customers because their measurements were off.

Don't even get me started on some of the ridiculous photos we've received. Apparently some people didn't know that we didn't allow glamour shots.

Honestly, if you're going to shell out the bucks for a new/renewed passport, then what's another $5-$15 for a passport photo? It's good for ten years!

[AchtungBaby80]

Originally posted by OohTeenyWahine
Yep, it's allowed -- passport photos don't need official stamps or initials or anything.

That's right...I got mine done at Wal-Mart. It took, like, 2 seconds and was really cheap.

[AChiOAlumna]

Originally posted by OohTeenyWahine
Regarding passport photo places, not all passport acceptance agencies offer photo services -- I know stores like Kinko's, Sears Photo Studio, and even Costco take official passport photos. $15 is average, so I'd stay away from anything costing more than that. The cheapest I've ever seen is $5.

Costco charges $7 for 2 photos. We just renewed my DH's passport in March!

[DeltAlum]

With the cost, it's a good thing you only renew every ten years.

Which reminds me that mine expires next year, so I think I'll renew when we get back from the British Isles next month.

For children, the passports are only good for five years. That's a good thing because we sent our son to a summer school experience in England between his Freshman and Sophomore years in high school. He looked pretty different by the time he graduated from High School!

Embarassing.

[tinydancer]

The last time I got one, I found out that the little local Pack and Post store does passport photos. They also have a notary, which is handy sometimes. I think it took about a month to get mine back.

Originally posted by DeltAlum
With the cost, it's a good thing you only renew every ten years.

Which reminds me that mine expires next year, so I think I'll renew when we get back from the British Isles next month.

For children, the passports are only good for five years. That's a good thing because we sent our son to a summer school experience in England between his Freshman and Sophomore years in high school. He looked pretty different by the time he graduated from High School!

Embarassing.

Minors 16 and over pay the regular adult fee while those 15 and under pay the child's fee and it's the latter that is good for only 5 years. If I'm not mistaken it's only a $15 difference between the two.

The last passport I had before my current one was issued when I was 3. I requested that I got my old passport back after they did all the necessary cancellation stuff to it...you know, for sentimental reasons.

[honeychile]

Originally posted by OohTeenyWahine
: I requested that I got my old passport back after they did all the necessary cancellation stuff to it...you know, for sentimental reasons.

I did, too - it was one of the best pictures I've ever taken, even though I was 16 and bleaching my hair blonde!

My mother's first passport photo was so nice, my father had it enlarged & framed! And when I say enlarged, I'm talking 24"x18"!!

[ambición6]

Yeah my mom looks beautiful in her first passport pic , circa 1969. black and white, smooth skin, bouffant hair. then again, she was only 20 years old. she just got her recent pic taken and she was not happy at all!!!! she didnt know they would be issuing her passport the same day so she didnt put any makeup on or fix her hair decently. she was sooooo mad!!!

my dad's first passport is the same way, he was i think 15 when he took the pic.

Originally posted by honeychile

My mother's first passport photo was so nice, my father had it enlarged & framed! And when I say enlarged, I'm talking 24"x18"!!

Hahaha, after my mom became a naturalized citizen in 1975 she got her first American passport.

Mind you that this was amidst the height of the disco era.

She tossed that passport right after it expired. Like many Americans she didn't want to be reminded of that time!