Passport Question

[nothintolose]

I am trying to renew my passport that expires this October. Want advice from anyone that has suggestions.

Here are my problems:

1. We plan to go to Europe sometime after October 15th before mid-December but don't know specific dates yet.

2. We don't know where we are going yet.

3. Don't know how to answer the "travel plans" questions which are length of stay, travel date, and countries visiting.

I don't know whether to put something in those spots or leave them blank.

We usually make last minute travel plans around that time of year when the rates drop - usually end up going Thanksgiving week but could be different this year. Part of what make us chose where to go is the rates and the other is places we haven't been (although we did do Rome and Florence twice because we loved them so much).

My other option is to wait till I have my ticket and go to the place downtown where they say your trip must be within two weeks and you need a ticket.

Any suggestions?

I feel like, if I don't put travel dates, it will take forever to get to me even if I pay to expedite it.

Thanks in advance,
nothintolose

p.s. it may seem far away but the 15th is 10 weeks away.

p.p.s. I know this isn't a STJ question, but I use it there too

[Pia]

With as many horror stories out there concerning Passport renewal times I would get them in the mail ASAP.

I renewed mine (actually sent in my 1 year "emergency" issued Passport for a full 10 year one) and I sent it expedited with an Express Mail pre paid envelope enclosed along with the extra fee for having it expedited and received it 7 DAYS to the day that I mailed it.

In the space that asked for upcoming travel dates and places I put England (they don't check) and made up a date that I needed it which was about 4 weeks after the dated I mailed it in to them - actually I was going to Jost with Jorge and the DBFT so I don't know if that helped things along or not but boy was it returned FAST

Hope this helps

Pia

[cat]

Pia that is just what I ws going to tell her! I cheated on the date that I needed mine by and got it just in time for the made up date though I didn't expedite it. Next time I will though! Well worth not having to worry!

With as many horror stories out there concerning Passport renewal times I would get them in the mail ASAP.

I renewed mine (actually sent in my 1 year "emergency" issued Passport for a full 10 year one) and I sent it expedited with an Express Mail pre paid envelope enclosed along with the extra fee for having it expedited and received it 7 DAYS to the day that I mailed it.

In the space that asked for upcoming travel dates and places I put England (they don't check) and made up a date that I needed it which was about 4 weeks after the dated I mailed it in to them - actually I was going to Jost with Jorge and the DBFT so I don't know if that helped things along or not but boy was it returned FAST

Hope this helps

Pia

[silverheels]

I renewed my passport early in March. My check was cashed on the 21st of March. I just received the new one last week. My husband renewed his at the same time but expedited it and got it within 3 weeks. I just wrote in the proposed travel dates the VI Aug. 2007. Sorry to say that I am not going to make it down at this time. But I'm sure that they do not check.

[Ksea]

I would make up a trip and date also. I would give them 6-8 weeks to be fair, or you can pay the extra $$ for the expedite.

[jimg20]

I renewed mine last spring in anticipation of going to the BVI in May. I paid for the expedited process and got it back in about 2-3 weeks.

I agree that they do not check to see if you have formal plans. I doubt that they check anything in that regard. It might be something left over from when they were processing under normal conditions before last year. They may use it to sort the applications. That is to say, "let's do the ones with plans to travel in the next 90 days, and get the rest later."

I would put down you earliest possible plans. It can't hurt. Have a great trip...whenever you go.

JIM

[nothintolose]

Thanks everyone for your help. Mailed it off today and having it expedited. Not even totally sure we are going anywhere but don't want to be freaking out about if we do.

nothintolose

p.s. if nothing else, I'll have it in hand for our next trip to STJ