Just six days before heading into Canada we noticed that our passports had expired. We were in a panic because we were scheduled to meet friends who were driving up to Egmont, BC to join us for a cruise into Princess Louisa Inlet. They had been planning this trip for months, and we didn’t want to disappoint. The passport renewal process normally takes several months. What to do?!
After a number of phone calls, we learned that the Seattle Passport Agency is able to renew passports within hours, provided you can document your need for international travel within two weeks. I set up an appointment for the following day, and started gathering the necessary paperwork: completed online Renewal Application DS-82, got passport photos at our local UPS store, and made the needed moorage reservations in BC. Our appointment to renew our passports was scheduled on a Thursday morning; all went smoothly and our passports were available within 24 hours.
Our passports could have been ready even sooner, but our situation was not as critical as others. The fellow at the window next to us didn’t learn that his passport had expired until he was in the TSA line at the airport. He missed his flight and rebooked, rented a car for passage to the Agency, and was told his new passport would be available in just a few hours.
Yes, boaters spend a great deal of time maintaining, preparing, and packing their vessel for extended cruises. It may not be all that uncommon to forget to check one’s passport. We hope our story serves as a reminder for others.
Go to Seattle Passport Agency website HERE. To see frequently asked questions regarding expired Passports, click HERE.
Article by Waggoner Guest Author
Photo: U.S. Passport Service
Subsequent to this article, a member of the Fidalgo Yacht Club reported that he just recently went online to renew his passport. He discovered that it was an easy process with a quick turnaround. He filled out the required form and uploaded his photo. The online system even tells you if your photo has been accepted or if it needs some adjusting or changes. He went through the process on a Monday afternoon, and by the next day’s afternoon his application had been processed and was on its way in the mail – fantastic!
So if you are in need of a last-minute Passport Renewal, take heart, you now have several options. To renew your Passport online, click HERE.
