For anyone needing a new US passport...

[Todd]

Hi All,

I needed to get some pages added to my passport.  Since I only alternate between Saudi Arabia and the US
for two weeks at a time, I needed to get the pages added relatively quickly.  Anyway, it is literally impossible
to get through to the automated scheduling system during the day.  When I called at 4:30 a.m. to schedule
a rush appointment, the first open day that I could come in was 13 days away.  Since this wouldn't allow
for any time for the Saudi visa, I acutally had to call the Saudi embassy and ask them to reuse a page.
They were kind enough to accomodate...and turned it around in just 48 hours.   It is a very sad state when the Saudi embassy is the model of efficiency.

The bottom line is that if you need a new passport, plan to wait on the order of 6 weeks or more.

Hope this helps,

Todd

[BC]

Here's an article about the delays:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/traveloutdoors/2003615917_webpassports13.html

Might want to try at the US consulate in Saudi.. They should have extra pages available..

Took about 20 minutes at the consulate here.

[Turboguy]

Just in case someone does not know you can have pages added to your existing passport for free.   I think when I had mine enlarged it took about 2 weeks.

[Phil dAmore]

Amazing.  When I was in the US last September it cost me $60 to have the passport center in PA  "prioritize" adding pages to my passport.  Normally this service is free, but then it would have taken 8 weeks.

Nice of Saudi Arabia to re-use a page.  Russia insisted on TWO blank pages.

[wxman]

I just renewed my passport and it took about 6 weeks, just as the web site advertises. I could have had it renewed in two weeks for a higher price, but chose not to. My renewed passport does not have the biometric chip in it, so they must be falling behind schedule on the implementation.

[Todd]

Last week, the web site changed from 6 to 10 weeks.

As for the advice of going outside the country, it turned out to be right on.  The Saudi embassy told me to
come in any day between 1-3 p.m., and I could come back the next morning.  So, I will definitely add my pages there.

[wxman]

I can imagine the process will slow down even more as rush to get passports for summer travel has kicked in.

[dwfunk]

I can imagine the process will slow down even more as rush to get passports for summer travel has kicked in.

The rush has begun!  Been to a US Post Office lately? 


-------
David & Natalia
Republic of Texas/Moscow, Russia
УЛ. КОНЕНКОВА
16th World Spacemodeling Championships

[Dan C.]

As the Seattle Times article discusses, it is more than the usual rush.  Since the new travel regulations are going into effect that will require one of all those to who travel by air from Canada, Mexico, or the Carribean, a lot of people who did not need one are now having to get one.   

Dan C.

[username33]

I added new pages to my passport last summer in Moscow. Just walked up to the window and watched as the lady behind the glass taped them in. No cost, even.