Almost Forgot, But Lots of Time Left

[kevin_standlee]

My current passport reached the red zone (less than six months left before expiration) the day I came back from Canada last month. I meant to apply for renewal in December and get the ball rolling, but I only remembered that I needed to do so today. I've filled out the application, but looking at the way they ask for the photo, it seems like I should be able to do the photo myself (well, probably with Lisa's help) and print it on photo-quality paper at home rather than pay extra for a passport photo. However, I can't do that until I get home two weeks from now. As ordinary processing times are currently showing about six weeks to process passports, this should still be plenty of time to get it back to me before I need it for London in August.

Comments

[alicebentley]

I did my second passport photo myself, editing a camera shot, printing on paper, and it came out acceptable but was more work than I anticipated.

My third passport photo (I'm old) I used one of the walk-in photo places abundantly available near the Seattle passport office. It was easy, reasonably inexpensive and a much better shot. When it comes up again I know I'm going back there.

[nojay.livejournal.com]

Last time I had needed a passport-type photo (it was for my driving licence which now has to be photo-ID) I took a self-portrait then cropped, scaled and edited it to add a neutral 18% grey background. I made a 10x15cm array of images of the correct size for the renewal submission and printed out at the local post office which has a kiosk machine that takes SD cards, USB sticks etc. and prints photos from JPGs and the like. Cost about 50 pence as I recall. It saved me having to keep a photo-quality printer working (ink cartridges, dealing with head clogs etc.) and I've got another seven photos left over if I need them for something else.

[msconduct.livejournal.com]

Last year marked the debut of entirely online passport applications in NZ, which is delightfully convenient. Makes the whole photo thing easier too. On the other hand, they've halved the life of a passport to five years and charge the same as for the previous ten-year one, which isn't quite so delightful.

[jcbemis.livejournal.com]

we mailed ours today, after getting pics at AAA last Friday or Saturday.

[saare-snowqueen.livejournal.com]

You've just reminded me to check the date on mine. I hardly ever use for travelling any more, but if I want to go to the UK in October

[howeird]

I seem to remember doing it all online.

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

I was able to fill out the form online, but that just generates a PDF to which you still have to attach a photograph; furthermore, you have to send your old passport to the processing center along with the $110 fee. I could find no way to do the submission completely online.

[howeird]

That's my halfsheimers kicking in. I forgot about having to send the old passport.

[lindadee.livejournal.com]

I thought I was going to have to renew my passport, but it doesn't expire until June 2015. I like my current passport photo, and I'm going to miss it when the passport does expire.

[lisa-marli.livejournal.com]

We are AAA members and use their service. Ours expired ages ago, and we really need to renew them. If nothing else, we might see parts of Canada while driving across the US this summer. I seem to remember the easiest way to travel east from Detroit is to go south which actually sends you into Canada. Very Strange.

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

My goodness! I did not know AAA offered reduced-price passport photos to members. I'll get that done this week or next. A pity; I was over near the AAA office in Mountain View just a couple of days ago.