Passport Renewal

I admit it. Procrastination got the best of me. (If you don't want the backstory, feel free to skip ahead, or use the callouts on the right hand side).

Many years ago, while an expat, I changed my name. I have since moved back to the USA, and all of my documents have been updated--except one. As a dual-citizen, it didn't really matter, I had a second passport with the new name, and used that... Until around my birthday last year when not one, but both passports expired...

I've been putting off renewing my US passport as I wasn't sure the process of renewing with a foreign name change, with documentation in another language. To make matters worse, at some point, I lost my US Passport Card. The internet told me I had to go in person due to the lost card, but the post office turned me away and said I had to report it lost/stolen online, and then renew by mail. I went to report the card lost, but the site told me that since my card was expired, I didn't have to report it. Stuck in the infinite loop of 'no, go there...', I opted to procrastinate.

Fast forward to last week, when I realized I have a cruise coming up and no valid passport... Uh-oh. Thus begins the sprint for a new passport...

Passport renewal - My timeline

March 15, 2026 - I fill out my application. I had already gotten passport photos at AAA, so I staple my photo where indicated. I put the application, my expired passport, my foreign name change document, notarized translation, and the 2nd passport photo in the envelope. For good measure, I include the receipt Social Security gave me when I updated my name with them. I know this isn't an official document, but I'm covering all the bases. To avoid any timing catastrophes, I opt for expedited processing and overnight return shipping. I print a Click and Ship Priority Mail Label and put it on the envelope, but I don't seal it, as I plan on getting a postal money order when I drop it off at the post office.

March 16, 2026 - I go to the post office. I get a postal money order for $212.05, make it out to the US Department of State, slip it in the envelope, seal it up, and give it back to the postal worker. It's now quite literally out of my hands. The waiting begins.

March 17, 2026 - My passport arrives in Philadelphia, PA but not to its destination. The waiting continues.

March 18, 2026 - My passport is delivered to the Expedited Passport PO Box in Philadelphia at 4:55am. I fail at trying not to check to see if the postal money order is cashed and/or if my passport status is updated online. Neither has happened.

March 19, 2026 - No updates despite checking every few hours (I know, I know... A watched pot, or whatever...)

March 20, 2026 - My status online is updated to "In Process", and the postal money order has been cashed. Phew. One step closer. One last check at day's end doesn't indicate any progress, and I'm sure there's not going to be any activity over the weekend. Monday can't come soon enough.

March 21-22, 2026 - Weekend. Of course I check a couple times, but as expected, no updates.

March 23, 2026 - No updates

March 24, 2026 - No updates, starting to sweat. It's not panic time yet, and in the passport world, no news is good news, but I'm nervous. I get an email that they received my passport and are reviewing my application. Yes, I know. I got that update last week.

March 25, 2026 - My online status changes to 'Approved'! Later in the day, there is another update to 'Shipped' and a tracking number. My passport is in Arkansas... Interesting.

March 26, 2026 - My online status no longer says shipped, and now says 'Approved' again. No update through the tracking number. My passport is still in Arkansas. Later in the day, my status has changed to indicate they've mailed my supporting documentation back to me.

March 27, 2026 - My passport is now in Providence, RI as of 9am. It's in the home stretch. I get an email saying they've mailed back my supporting documentation. I know, I got that update yesterday. By 10:30am it's in Brockton, and at 12:13p it's out for delivery from my local post office. It arrives safe and sound just after 4pm.

Total spent: $226.51
Total turnaround: 11 days, door to door.

I have to say... I'm impressed.

3/15/2026

$130.00 Renewal
$ 60.00 Expedited Processing
$ 22.05 Overnight Return Shipping
$ 11.91 Priority Mail (Click and Ship)

3/18/2026

$ 2.55 Postal Money Order

3/16/2026

Passport is delivered in PA

3/20/2026

Postal Money Order is cashed, status is updated to 'In Process'

3/25/2026

Approved & Shipped

3/27/2026

Delivered

Total Spent: $226.51
11 days, door to door.