Applying For Passport Now - Covid-19

[ae123]

Some people I know who are scheduled to fly internationally July 28, do not have passports yet.
They were planning on applying now.
However, on the State Department website it says:

Unless you have a life-or-death emergency, please consider waiting to apply until we resume normal operations. While you can still apply in person at some acceptance facilities (post offices, clerks of court, libraries) and renew through the mail, we will not be able to meet our commitment of 6-8 weeks door-to-door for routine service. You should expect significant delays beyond this time period it normally takes to receive your passport.

Should they apply now anyway or wait? What is their best chance of getting their passports before July 28?
Thanks.

[ae123]

74 views and no replies?! 

The greatest Frum travel minds are on here and I was hoping for some sage advice.

[etech0]

74 people have the same question I guess!

[ae123]

 
But I really need an answer.

[etech0]

If I knew I'd tell you!

[yochai]

But I really need an answer.

Why wait?

[shapsam]

What do they say about the expedited options?

Either way, I don't see any downside in applying now, IINM you can do same day/emergency passport even if you have this pending.

[lubaby]

Why wait?

+1

To even have a chance, apply ASAP (travel is 12 weeks away). Unless they can come up with a "life or death emergency" in the next couple of months to submit..

There's also always the possibility that come July, the travel they are planning will be cancelled..

[ae123]

What do they say about the expedited options?

They aren't doing it at all.

[ae123]

IINM you can do same day/emergency passport even if you have this pending.

I would love to confirm that somehow.

[ae123]

Why wait?

I'm afraid that since they say to only apply for emergency travel - which this isn't - they may sort-of deliberately let the applications languish.

[shapsam]

rushmypassport.com claims they can currently expedite passports. 2-3 weeks for $119, 4-5 weeks for $99 (on top of the regular passport fees).

[ae123]

rushmypassport.com claims they can currently expedite passports. 2-3 weeks for $119, 4-5 weeks for $99 (on top of the regular passport fees).

Can the process be started the regular way and then if it looks like it won't be ready on-time reach out to rushmypassport?

[shapsam]

Can the process be started the regular way and then if it looks like it won't be ready on-time reach out to rushmypassport?

I don't know, maybe try to reach out to them.

[yochai]

Can the process be started the regular way and then if it looks like it won't be ready on-time reach out to rushmypassport?

Don’t think so.
There are different offices that deal with regular applications vs. expedited applications.

[ae123]

I don't know, maybe try to reach out to them.

The site says they are doing, passport renewal, name change, & second passport.
Sounds like they aren't doing a first-time one.

[ae123]

I called a place that advertises rush passports and they said that since there is already a 6 week backup anyone applying now would not get their passports before 12 weeks.
Is this accurate? In the past, even though it officially took 6-8 weeks it usually took only 3-4.