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Comments for Mailed my application for renewal but forgot to include check-what do I do?

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Delayed filing of DS-82
by: Anonymous

Question: My passport expired in April 2024, paperwork is filled out but not sent off or paid for. Is there a time limit in which to do that?

Answer: Hello! You can still send out that completed application form provided that the date beside the signature is current. Passport renewals can be applied for up to 5 years after the passport expires. Please make sure your requirements are complete before mailing them out to avoid delays:

1. Form DS-82
2. Recent-expired passport
3. One new passport photo
4. Payment for fees

Routine service currently takes 6 to 8 weeks while expedited service takes 2 to 3 weeks. If you need your passport sooner, you may apply through a regional passport agency or through a private passport expediter.

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Forgot to include old passport
by: Anonymous

Question: I forgot to include my old passport with my renewal application. Everything else was in order, i.e., photo, signed application, check. What should I do?

Answer: You will soon receive communication from the Department of State with instructions on where to send the missing requirement. Please keep an eye out for the mail and your email inbox.
Mailing Renewal Passport
by: Anonymous

Question: I’m getting ready to mail my renewal application, but should I include my return address on the envelope?

Answer: There is not need to do that. The mailing address on the application form will be sufficient.
Wrong date written in my personal check
by: Anonymous

Question: I mistakenly wrote 3/1/2014 in my personal check and also I forgot to write amount of 130.00 in small box at right side but I already spelled out one hundred thirty dollar with 00/xx. I should have wrote right year of 2024 not 2014 but it is too late because I already mailed it out. What should I do if agent at the passport department see wrong date of 2014 instead of 2024?

Answer: Any mistake on the cheque is a potential issue. Once your application is received, passport services will contact you with instructions on how to send a new cheque or pay for the fees via phone using a credit card. You may contact the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 for more information.
DS-82 Application Returned
by: Anonymous

Question: I recently applied for a passport renewal via the DS-82 form. In my envelope, I included my previous expired passport, the proper payment fees, and completed form. I received a letter stating my application could not be processed because my previous passport was not included with my initial application. Who do I contact regarding this? My application and payment were sent back, but not my original passport and I do not have a way to reapply without it.

Answer: You may contact the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 regarding the missing passport.
Return envelope
by: Anonymous

Question: I forgot to include a stamped envelope for the return of my new passport. What will happen?

Answer: There is no need to send a return envelope. Your application should proceed without issues as long as all other requirements are complete.
Check has no address
by: Anonymous

Question: I used a non-starter check that has no address - will it be accepted.

Answer: Please contact the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 regarding your question.
Frustrated
by: Anonymous

Question: I mailed my old passport and new application but forgot the payment. It was received via USPS tracking 4/23/23 but I have not received a letter or anything. It is now 6/27/23. How do I get it back so I can pay? Should it take this long to be returned with instructions?

Answer: You may call the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 to find out if you can pay using a credit card over the phone.
Mailed my application for renewal but forgot to include check-what do I do?
by: Anonymous

Question: I mailed my passport renewal application and forgot the payment. That was 3 months ago and have not received it back requesting payment. I now have travel scheduled. I have called every number and sent emails. I cannot get connected to anyone.

Answer: You need to contact the NPIC in order to find out what happened to your application. You may call 1-877-487-2778 or email NPIC@state.gov.

I strongly recommend that you not make any final travel arrangements until you get this straightened out and you receive your passport.
No updated infomation on website
by: Anonymous

Question: I mailed out my passport on May 1st, the post office stated it would get to its destination by May 3rd with expedited mail. I checked the passport status after 2 weeks there's no update. Started to get worried b/c my tracking states it still hasn't moved since May 2nd from a distribution center. It's now June 14th with no update from the website. But my check has been checked.

What should I do?

Answer: There is nothing to do but wait. If you are traveling in two weeks, call 1-877-487-2778 to inform them of your travel date. Passport services will notify the processing center to process your passport before your scheduled departure.
DS-11 not signed
by: Anonymous

Question: I lost my passport and sent a filled out, but not signed DS-11, my birth certificate, and copy of ID by express mail and expedited for a trip in 4 weeks. If I go to a passport office to get it correctly signed, I do not have my birth certificate. Do I have to pay $150 for the research or can I send it and hope it joins up with my other application?

Answer: You need to wait for passport services to contact you with instructions on where to send the signed form. Please contact the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 for more information.
Renewal passport signature
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi, I recently applied for a passport renewal. I put my middle name on the application, as it was listed on my old passport. When I signed the renewal form I forgot to sign with my middle name. Is that going to be an issue?

Answer: Your signature lacking your middle name should not be an issue.
USPS Money order without sender/recipient information
by: Anonymous

Question: I mailed my renewal application with a USPS money order with the right fees but forgot to write any of the information like name or DOB or even to whom. Will that cause a problem?

Answer: Yes. The money order should be made out to the U.S. Department of State.
Wrong amount
by: Anonymous

Question: I made a mistake in the amount that I sent for my passport renewal. What shall I do?

Answer: You need to contact the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 to cancel your payment and pay the right fees via credit card.
Business check
by: Anonymous

Question: Is a business check acceptable for passport fees? My own business. If I already send the business check with my application, what should I do?

Answer: Only personal checks are acceptable. If you already sent your passport in, passport services will contact you with instructions on how and where to send a new check. You may also call 1-877-487-2778 to find out if you can pay for the fees using a credit card over the phone.
Application status still says Not Available
by: Anonymous

Question: I mailed my application and check four weeks ago. The check was cashed right away but the application status still shows Not Available. When will it show Processing?

Answer: There is no definite timeline as to when the status will change from Not Available to In Process. When your payment is processed, your application has reached the intake facility. When it changes to In Process, your application is being reviewed at one of the agencies or centers. The length of time your application remains In Process depends on the service you selected.
Forgot name and DOB on check
by: Anonymous

Question: Hello. I sent my renewal application two days ago and realized afterward that I'd forgotten to write my name and DOB on the check. Will this cause any issues with my renewal process?

Answer: Writing one's name and DOB on the back of the cheque is a precautionary measure in case it gets separated from your application. As long as all the requirements stay intact, there should not be any issues.
Forgot to send check
by: Anonymous

Question: Forgot to send a check with the renewal app on Jan 27th, 2023. Come March 24th, I get an email to send a check to another address. Once that check is received, does the clock start over for processing? Calling here in a few hours to try and expedite and pay that over the phone.

Answer: Processing will resume when the payment is received. We recommend calling to check if you can pay by phone instead of mailing the check.
Money order unsigned
by: Anonymous

Question: I forgot to sign my money order. Will my payment be accepted?

Answer: It will not be accepted. Please contact the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 to see if you can pay using a credit card over the phone.
Concerned
by: Anonymoues

Question: Hello - I mailed two passport renewal forms in the same envelope and followed all instructions listed on the website. They cashed one of the checks 2 weeks ago but not the second one. This is very concerning to me. I have tried emailing, no luck. I have called that number you list several times and they say they are not able to take my call. Please advise.

Answer: Applications, even when sent together, are processed separately. It is possible that there is an error with the second application. In this case, you will receive a letter from the Department of State with instructions on how to correct it. It is also possible that the other application has not reached the intake stage yet hence the check remains uncashed.
DS3053 original document
by: Anonymous

Question: I submitted all documents with a copy of DS3053, they sent back a letter asking for the original DS3053. When I send it back how long can it take to get my passport? I have already applied for expediting from the beginning.

Answer: Processing will resume as soon as the document is received. Please contact the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 for more information.
Returned Passport App
by: Anonymous

Question: Hello, I submitted a passport application with incorrect payment. We received the application back and paid the fees for late payment when the first payment was incorrect. Do we need to send another payment when we resubmit the application?

Answer: Please contact the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 to clarify the payment issue.
Renewal Issue
by: Anonymous

Question: I submitted my passport, application, and check in one envelope to PA. However, I received a call from my city passport agency (Boston) saying they received my passport check, with nothing else.

I have no idea who sent them this check and why this was separated from my application/ passport. I now have no idea where my passport and application are. The envelope with the check did not have a return address. It was just sent in a USPS mailing envelope. I am about to report my passport as lost/stolen. The check was returned to me by my city agency. My online status after 2 weeks still says not avail. Any ideas about what happened?

Answer: You need to call the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 regarding your concern.
Cashed Check But No Update
by: Anonymous

Question: I mailed the application for a minor and the check was cashed 6 days later. It has now been 15 days and it still says "Not available" on the website. And I paid for expedited.

Answer: The check being cashed means the application has reached the intake facility. It may take 2 weeks from the time you submitted the application for the status to change to "In process" even if you paid for expedited service. Keep in mind that expedited service can take between 3 and 5 weeks EXCLUDING mailing times on the front and back end. Processing times begin when the application is received at the passport agency/processing center.
Return Of Money Order
by: Anonymous

Question: Hello,

Will I have my money order returned since I put an incorrect name on it?

Answer: Passport services will contact you about sending the correct money order or paying the fees over the phone. Please keep an eye out for your mail.

You may contact the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 for more information.
Forgot to add check to the passport renewal application
by: Anonymous

Question: Hello, I forgot to add the check to my passport renewal application. How can I pay the money over the phone?

Also, how can I track my passport application? I do not think that I created an account. When do I create the account, and will my application automatically get assigned to my account? Sorry, I am confused about the process.
Thanks in advance!

Answer: You need to call the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 to pay the fees over the phone. Before doing so, however, you need to wait for passport services to contact you.

Creating an account at MyTravelGov is only reserved for those who tested the pilot of the online renewal system. This system has been temporarily suspended.

You may check your application status by entering your last name, birth date, and the last four digits of your SSN. There will be no need to create an account.
Wrong amount on check
by: Anonymous

Question: I recently finished a passport application using routine processing time but a day after I realized I wrote the wrong amount of money on the check to cover the cost of routine time (I wrote it correctly ("$130.00") in the amount box but not the amount line ("one hundred even"). Is there anything I can do right now to fix this mistake or do I simply have to wait to be contacted?

Answer: You need to wait for passport services to contact you. By then you should be able to pay for the fees over the phone using a credit card.
Error on SSN for Passport Renewal Application
by: Anonymous

Question: I sent my Passport Renewal Application to US Passport Center 6 weeks ago via priority mail and just realized that my social security number had one digit that was off from my actual SSN. The online status checker shows that the application is "in-progress" but under the incorrect SSN with the one digit being in error. If I check under my actual SSN it shows "Status Unavailable". Everything else is correct and I did submit my expired Passport with the renewal application. What should I do?

Answer: Please contact the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 regarding your concern.
Confirm money order was received and cashed by state department
by: Anonymous

Question: I mailed my passport for renewal, but I haven't been able to get tracking confirmation from the post office that they picked up my package and delivered it. However, the money order I made out to the State Department has been cashed, but my Application Status is still Not available. Is there another way to confirm my package made it to the Passport agency and that my money order was cashed by the state department, before I report my passport and money order as stolen?

Answer: There is no need to report the application as stolen. An update on your application should be available soon. You may contact passport services at 1-877-487-2778.
Passport renewal
by: Anonymous

Question: I forgot to put my DOB on the cashier's check, is that an issue?

Answer: It may be an issue if the check gets separated from the rest of the application.
Did not check off
by: Anonymous

Question: I forgot to check off the regular books or large books. Will my application be returned back?

Answer: It might not be. It is very likely that you will just be issued the regular book.
Bounced check
by: Anonymous

Question: What do I need to do? I’ve been calling but can’t get through to see what is the next step to fix the situation.

Answer: You have to keep calling until an agent answers so you can pay the fees by credit card over the phone.
Wrong date
by: Anonymous

Question: I wrote the wrong date on the check and application.

Answer: Do you mean your birth date? Please clarify.
Check not Cashed - Application Status "Not Available"
by: Brandon

Question: My family sent in 6 passport applications. 5 checks have been cashed and the status for those is "In Process". My wife's application states that it is "Not Available" and there is one check that still has not been cashed. The other 5 applications have been in process for 7 days so I am growing worried that her application was misplaced.

Answer: Passport applications are processed separately even if they were sent together or at the same time. Your wife's application may not have entered the processing stage yet hence the Not Available status. It is also possible that her application needs additional documents. If this is the case, you need to wait for passport services' letter containing instructions on where to send the documents.
URGENT
by: AShafer

Question: Mailed my application for renewal but forgot to include check-what do I do?

Answer: You may contact the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 so you can pay for the fees over the phone using a credit card.
Insufficient Funds in Checking Account
by: Anonymous

Question: Similar situation with a check that had insufficient funds, I was told that they would run the check twice if bounced. Can you triple-check that this is the case?

I can confirm I called in and they don't take a credit card over the phone.

Answer: We are a privately-run company and cannot do what you are asking. You may contact the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778.
Forgot to include photo
by: Anonymous

Question: I mailed my application for renewal but forgot to include my photo. I am worried that by the time the application is returned to me, it will be too late to renew before my travel date. Should I resubmit everything right away?

Answer: We recommend waiting for passport services to contact you with instructions on where to mail the photo. Processing will resume as soon as the photo is received. You may also request expedited service by calling 1-877-487-2778.
Forgot to sign my check
by: Anonymous

Question: I mailed an expedited passport renewal application and after sent it, I realized that I forgot to sign my check (with the expedited renewal fee). What happens now? Do you think this check will be accepted or returned? I am very concerned because I need the passport renewed ASAP.

Answer: A check is incomplete without a signature. Please contact the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 so you can pay the fees via credit card over the phone.
Made Payment to Wrong Entity
by: Anonymous

Question: I made the money order out to the National Passport Processing Center instead of the State Department. What happens in this case?

Answer: Passport services will contact you with instructions on how to send a new check or make payment by credit card over the phone.
Money order
by: Anonymous

Question: I filled out the money order but for the address put W West instead of just West will that cause problem with my application?

Answer: Please contact the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 regarding the issue.
Forgot to put check in
by: Anonymous

Question: I forgot to put the check in and when I call the number I get a voice prompt to select numerous options, but nothing pertains to how to call them and give them your visa to pay.

Answer: You have to wait for passport services to send you a letter with instructions on how to pay the fees by sending a check or paying via credit card over the phone.
Money order
by: Gabriela

Question: If my money order wasn't cashed for the renewal of my passport, would they reach out to me?

Answer: If there is an issue with your application, passport services will contact you.
Sent check without signature
by: Anonymous

Question: I submitted my application today April 6. After a few hours, I realized that I mistakenly sent the check without my signature. Is this ok? If not, then how do I correct it? Can I pay by phone?

Answer: A check is invalid without the account owner's signature. Once your application is received, passport services will contact you with instructions on how to pay the fees. You may be able to do so via credit card over the phone but you need to await the instructions.
Mailed passport to wrong location.
by: Anonymous

Question: Hi, I mailed my passport renewal form to the wrong agency for my state. I was supposed to mail it to TX but instead mailed it to PA, it has not yet arrived as there is a delay in shipping but what will happen since it was mailed to the wrong agency?

Answer: Your application will be routed to the appropriate processing center.

Check Your Application Status

The status should appear as 'in process' once it is received and entered into review.
Do I need 2 photos
by: Anonymous

Question: I have a passport and want to renew it and also get a card. Do I send 2 pictures or just the one stapled to the form?

Answer: You only have to send one photo.
Check cashed but no renewal ...
by: Nancy

Question: Tried to make a correction to my e-mail - at the end of the process where it tells you to check information - they cashed my check but I never got the renewed passport and I don't know what to do now.

Answer: Hi, Nancy. Please contact the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 regarding your concern.
Forgot to sign application
by: Anonymous

Question: I sent all paperwork and application to renew my passport but unfortunately forgot to sign the application. Will that be an issue? And will I have to pay again if they resend the application to me?

Answer: Passport services will reach out to you with instructions on how and where to send the signed application form. You will not have to pay the fees again.
Check
by: Anonymous

Question: I'm worried that I did not sign my check/that I wrote my check incorrectly. It has not gone through to my bank. I went in on Saturday to send my passport and today is Monday and it was delivered to the facility. Who do I contact?

Answer: Passport services will contact you by mail if the check you sent is invalid. Please contact the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 for more information.
I forgot to include my check with my passport renewal app
by: Cathleen

Question: I forgot to include my check with my passport renewal application. I went to the post office 15 minutes later but it was already on the truck. It's now been 7 weeks and there is still no status and I have not received anything back. I have a trip to Italy on October 4, 2021. I cannot get through to anyone on the phone. Any ideas on what I should do?

Answer: You should receive a letter from passport services with instructions on how and where to send the check for the fees.

You may also call the NPIC to find out if you can pay the fees by credit card over the phone. This will save you a lot of time and avoid further delays in the processing of your application.
Check not cashed?
by: John

Question: I sent in my passport renewal at the same time as my husband. His check was cashed, mine was not. I looked up my passport status and it says the renewal is "in process" - should I be concerned about the check not being cashed?

Answer: Hi, John. They may cash your check at a later date. Please contact passport services at 1-877-487-2778 for more information.
Forgot check
by: Anonymous

Question: I forgot to include a check when I mailed my application.

Answer: Please wait for passport services to contact you with instructions on how and where to send the payment for your application.
Check bounced
by: Anonymous

Question: I wrote a personal check and forgot to transfer the funds to my checking and they attempted to take the funds. Will they try again?

Answer: Please contact passport services at 1-877-487-2778 regarding your concern. It may also be possible to pay the fees over the phone instead of using the cheque.
Renewal passport
by: Diana

Question: I mailed everything I needed but forgot to date the application.

Answer: It might not cause an issue. If it does, passport services will contact you with instructions on how and where to send a new application form.
Forgot to check a question
by: Anonymous

Question: I forgot to check off that one of my parents isn’t a US citizen. What will happen to my application?

Answer: It should not be an issue. If passport services finds a significant error in your application, you will be contacted with instructions on how to correct it. You may also contact them at 1-877-487-2778.
Sent wrong passport in error
by: Anonymous

Question: I mailed the form, picture, and money for renewal but sent my wife's passport in error. How do I get hers back?

Answer: You need to contact the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778.
Forgot to sign
by: Anonymous

Question: I sent out the renewal package but forgot to sign my name on the application form.

Answer: Passport services will contact you with instructions on how to resolve the issue.
Unstapled picture
by: Anonymous

Question: I submitted a picture but I failed to staple it to the application. Everything else was included in the renewal application process other than the stapled picture. Would this be grounds to resend the application back or would the renewal still be processed?

Answer: The application will still be processed unless the photo gets lost because it was not affixed to the form.
how long
by: Anonymous

Question: How long does it take for the passport to be returned in this case? I submitted mine without a check in NYC on April 2nd and have a flight on the 4th of June.

Answer: As soon as the application is received at the processing center and discovered to be lacking the check, it will be returned to you. Please call Customer Service at 1-877-487-2778 for assistance. Also, if you can pay with a credit card, you may be able to resolve the issue over the phone.

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