US passport renewal by mail

[OnMyWay]

I reread this page and realized I had a brainfart when I posted in August 2023 about renewing during Covid.  That was not my passport; it was my wife's tourist visa.  Basically the same process with couriers both ways.

So my passport expiration date is March 2025, and we might go to Thailand in October, at which time I will only only have 5 months left on the passport.  No good.  Need 6 months.  I will mail it off tomorrow, hopefully.

[Mike J]

9 hours ago, OnMyWay said:

I reread this page and realized I had a brainfart when I posted in August 2023 about renewing during Covid.

I was wondering about that and was getting ready to ask about such a short expiration period.  I renewed mine during covid but I was able to do the paperwork etc. at the Cebu City embassy extension office.  

Edited July 30 by Mike J

[Possum]

I just got an explanation from the US Embassy about the processing of passports there. As we know you can check the status of your renewal online. When it says the passport was mailed on xxxxxx date means when it was mailed from the USA to the embassy in the Philippines. They then give it to Air21 to be delivered to you here. So for an adult passport the embassy is more like a mail forwarding service than a processing center.

[hk blues]

3 hours ago, Possum said:

I just got an explanation from the US Embassy about the processing of passports there. As we know you can check the status of your renewal online. When it says the passport was mailed on xxxxxx date means when it was mailed from the USA to the embassy in the Philippines. They then give it to Air21 to be delivered to you here. So for an adult passport the embassy is more like a mail forwarding service than a processing center.

That's pretty much what used to be the case in Hong Kong where passport applications were collected, sent to the UK for processing and then sent back to the Embassy who would then forward it to the  applicant.  The new system cuts out the middleman and we send it directly to the UK.  

[OnMyWay]

On 8/2/2024 at 10:22 AM, Possum said:

I just got an explanation from the US Embassy about the processing of passports there. As we know you can check the status of your renewal online. When it says the passport was mailed on xxxxxx date means when it was mailed from the USA to the embassy in the Philippines. They then give it to Air21 to be delivered to you here. So for an adult passport the embassy is more like a mail forwarding service than a processing center.

Yes, and to add, the embassy receives all their "mail" in diplomatic pouches via one of the express carriers like FEDEX, DHL or UPS.  I don't know who has the contract now.  So it gets to Philippines quickly.

[Possum]

I got our daughter's new passport today. Took about a month. You pay the Air 21 service at the embassy and they give you a tracking number but it's useless. Even today after getting her passport I entered the tracking number on Air 21's website and it still says "tracking number not found". They didn't respond to emails and the phone number didn't work. But at least we got her's.

My passport? It was returned and I was told I could not apply by mail because the signature didn't match. Keep in mind I attempted to turn mine in at the embassy in person but they wouldn't take it because the DS-82 form didn't say 'renew' at the top. So I came home and filled out a DS-82 with the 'renew' on it and also included a normal DS-82 because it's the only form that allows typo corrections. There was a space between two letters in my last name. Hasn't bothered immigration in 9 countries but has caused me issues with Filipino banks so I wanted it corrected. But after all that they said the signatures didn't match. Lay them side by side and you can't see any noticeable difference but the Philippines has a hang up with signatures and I know all passport applications are reviewed by Filipino workers. So now I have to make an appointment and make the 5 hour journey to the Embassy. So, my advice is if you are within a reasonable distance from the embassy, go there.

[OnMyWay]

On 8/10/2024 at 12:05 PM, Possum said:

My passport? It was returned and I was told I could not apply by mail because the signature didn't match.

I sent mine to the Embassy by LBC today.  I hope my signature is ok.  My signature ain't what it used to be.

[Possum]

36 minutes ago, OnMyWay said:

I sent mine to the Embassy by LBC today.  I hope my signature is ok.  My signature ain't what it used to be.

Good luck ! I think it's just luck of the draw. I looked at an old passport that expired in 2014 and the signature on it was totally different from my current passport but that passport got renewed, however was renewed in the USA thus not subject to Filipino signature matching standards.

I suspect what might be my problem is when I mailed mine in after being told the DS-82 has to say renewal on it by 'window 15' I included a letter showing why that wasn't true, especially if typos need correcting. I was very polite but I suspect some lost face may be involved. When I return I'll ask for a vice consul if there are any further issues.

 

[Mike J]

15 hours ago, OnMyWay said:

I sent mine to the Embassy by LBC today.  I hope my signature is ok.  My signature ain't what it used to be.

Mine is starting to change also, I am wondering if I should notify my bank in the US.

[Possum]

3 hours ago, Mike J said:

Mine is starting to change also, I am wondering if I should notify my bank in the US.

I deposited a check online last week to a US bank. Just scribbled my name on the back and it went right into my account. I don't think banks in the US pay attention to signatures. You can open an account borrow money, even open an investment account with an electronic signature. This signature matching thing seems to be uniquely Filipino. I have been in a bank with my wife, my passport, SRRV, DL etc opening an account here. They KNEW who I was but once the manager sitting two desks over who doubles as a handwriting analyst looked at my documents? Sorry sir, signature doesn't match. So I had to keep practicing until it suited him. I asked if someone came in that didn't look like me but had a fake ID with my name on it could he withdraw money from my account if the signature matched? He actually said maybe.

I've had bank accounts in several other countries but this hangup with signatures seems to be part of the culture here. rant over...