Passport Renewal

[Terry Cox]

In the works for this coming season, the Admiral and I have plans to sail Belle-Vie into British Columbia once again now that the border has reopened. Part of the plan requires that we renew our expired passports. Both were mailed on January 30, 2023 parcel post to U.S. Department of State with the forms filled out, expired passports and passport pictures. After a few weeks I checked on the status of the renewal process and found that mine was received for processing on February 3, 2023 and the Admiral's was received for processing on March 3, 2023. Good news after hearing of horror stories about how some had taken six months to a year or more to process due to staffing problems, COVID, etc., etc., etc. But go figure the time lapse between the two passport dates.

Surprised, the Admiral's renewed passport arrived March 15th, and the Skipper's, well, tick tock, tick tock. Figure that one, too. Time is on our side as we have a departure plan of late June. But that window will slowly close, so in a few weeks I will call their hotline to see when they plan on completing processing. We'll see. Maybe the Admiral will decide to head out on her own. Boo!

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I assume you know there are alternatives:


A “valid U.S. passport or passport card is preferred, although a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, citizenship certificate, or another document proving U.S. nationality, together with a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver's license) are acceptable to establish identity and nationality.”

 

[Hello Below]

Also a Washington State Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) maybe the ticket.
Washington State Enhanced Driver’s Licenses vs. U.S. Passports

 

[Terry Cox]

In all the years we've been crossing the border, a passport has always been the order of the day with the border patrol agents, whether entering Canada or re-entering the US. Perhaps another form of identification would suffice, but never one to test that option.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

In all the years we've been crossing the border, a passport has always been the order of the day with the border patrol agents, whether entering Canada or re-entering the US. Perhaps another form of identification would suffice, but never one to test that option.

I understand skepticism but they will tell you the same thing if you call any border crossing gate or POE shoreside.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

I understand skepticism but they will tell you the same thing if you call any border crossing gate or POE shoreside.

I would establish 100% by phone before heading to the border.

I firmly believe border patrol agents on both sides are programmed to ONLY recognize passports. Trying to recognize anything other than passports may short out their synapses.

 

[Marmalade]

in a few weeks I will call their hotline to see when they plan on completing processing

Just went through this in January and February. Don't expect the hotline to have any answers. They are only there to assist you to make an in-person appointment at a passport processing center IF your travel is within the next 10-business days.

We were taking a Caribbean cruise in Feb, and had applied for passports for the wife and 4-kids (not a small bill!). Got 4 of 5 back in 3-weeks, we paid the expedite fee. The 5th for our oldest kept saying "processing". I called at 2-weeks... all they asked was what date is your travel... was told to call back the next day because of how they count business days.
Called the next day, and they said ok, let's see if we can schedule you an in-person appointment. After typing away... they said, "I'm sorry, there doesn't appear to be any appointments available." We are in metro-Detroit, so I said I'm willing to travel to Chicago or perhaps someplace else... they reply was "no, you don't understand, I searched the whole country, there are no appointments". They said to call back multiple times a day, appointments get canceled regularly, and it's luck of the call to get one.

After a few moments of panic, I checked, I checked Google and realized that for a cruise that starts and ends in the USA, a birth-certificate is sufficient for a minor. Adults can use BC too, but also have to have drivers license or other state issued ID. I don't know if that applies for a personal sail, but certainly worked for a commercial cruise.

so long story long, don't expect to get answers from the hotline...

 

[capta]

I believe that any State Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) was developed to ease the pressure on the passport office, for travel to Canada, as well as a national ID system.

 

[dlochner]

Once you get your passport, apply for a NEXUS card and use the ROAM app. This greatly facilitates crossing the Candian/US border both ways, and it gets you TSA PreCheck if you fly. Before Covid we used the cards and app several times to enter the US from Canada. Once we were within cell phone range on the US side, fired up the app and we were quickly cleared long before we entered the US. Worth every penny of the $50 cost.

 

[Terry Cox]

Once you get your passport, apply for a NEXUS card and use the ROAM app.

HI 'Dave. All good suggestions. A dumb flip phone is my only cell phone, which I prefer, so no apps. I tried the similar program to Nexus (one year) and it seemed to make no difference in crossing. Just not worth the extra money. I'm okay with checking in at a station to obtain clearance both ways. Usually on my planned route . Never in a hurry anyway.

 

[dlochner]

HI 'Dave. All good suggestions. A dumb flip phone is my only cell phone, which I prefer, so no apps. I tried the similar program to Nexus (one year) and it seemed to make no difference in crossing. Just not worth the extra money. I'm okay with checking in at a station to obtain clearance both ways. Usually on my planned route . Never in a hurry anyway.

The nearest reporting station for us is about 15 miles away and not on the way to anywhere we'd be going. The Nexus card makes a huge time and convenience difference for $10 a year.

 

[Terry Cox]

The Nexus card makes a huge time and convenience difference for $10 a year.

Makes sense, Dave. Unless it's changed, we would have to travel five hours round trip just for the interview.

 

[jssailem]

Terry, I also like carrying my passport. I do get a bit nervous when it gets taken into others hands.

On all of my crossings into CA since 2016, they have been conducted on the dock phone at CA ports of entry. October 2021 was a good example. Boat papers and passport data shared-on a phone call from my cabin while tied to the CBSA dock at Tsehum Harbour. I was asked if I had an enhanced drivers license, I said I do but will my passport also work. It was a 10 to 15 minute conversation. I suspect supported by video of me at the dock, and the completed computer documentation submitted on the ArriveCAN application.

Use ArriveCAN for a faster border experience - Canada.ca

Travellers arriving in Canada at certain airports can save time at the border by submitting their customs and immigration declaration in advance using this app.

www.canada.ca

I did that from my laptop. Suspect you can also use an iPad or phone with internet connection. I accomplished the submission sitting in Friday Harbor using the wifi in the pizza pub.

It took much longer to return to the US. They wanted to do a “FaceTime “ connection. Using their US Border Patrol app. Where you see a black screen while they observe and record your face. Had to remove hat and glasses for the picture.

This past January, I was prepared with passport and ID (Global Entry) to return to Miami after visiting Mexico and Honduras. We disembarked the ship, approached the BP agents and were told to move along. The whole entry was done with facial recognition cameras. Reminded me of the scene in Total Recall when Arnold Schwarzenegger walks through the scanner upon leaving the space ship.

Passports and face to face interactions were a personalized touch, that is being left behind by automation and AI.

 

[Leeward Rail]

Skipper's, well, tick tock, tick tock

You aren't getting your as fast because they need to survey us Canadians if we want you. The admiral is welcome any time. Especially if she is bringing wine.

program to Nexus (one year) and it seemed to make no difference in crossing

It can make a major difference, or not much at all. For land crossings it is often pointless because you usually end up lining up behind everyone else in their vehicle. For Marine it can help, for Air travel is fantastic.

Passports and face to face interactions were a personalized touch, that is being left behind by automation and AI.

This is becoming the norm for air travel for those with RFID Biometric passports. Passported scanned, photo taken, security gate opens and you are done. All depends on which country you are from and which country you are going to. I figure the first time someone uses a fake passport and stage prothetic makeup, that may change. Border staff will tell you that the get a sense for certain things. For example, human trafficking is one thing that good staff can catch.

 

[Paul Streicher]

Call your U.S. Senator's office. They can help expedite the issuance of your passport.

 

[Terry Cox]

Woohoo! My renewed passport arrived today. I was beginning to worry, but no worries now. Looking forward to some BC time this season. Hopefully, Hadley will be ship shape by then and ready to join the flotilla. I can smell the lamb roasting from here. Yum.

 

[jssailem]

Yum. Happy Days are coming.

 

[Terry Cox]

Hmm. Wonder what Stu Jackson has up his sleeve for this coming season?

 

[jssailem]

I have not heard.
Engine is not working. Mechanic is taking a 10 day vacation. So boat is going into the water to await his return and the fix to the engine. I am baffled.

 

[BigEasy]

I have not heard.
Engine is not working. Mechanic is taking a 10 day vacation. So boat is going into the water to await his return and the fix to the engine. I am baffled.

Unbelievable !! I share your pain.