# Do you pay for a US passport renewal at the start or end of applying? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 3, 2015, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pay-for-a-us-passport-renewal-at-the-start-or-end-of-applying/729776 "2015-09-03T03:09:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pay-for-a-us-passport-renewal-at-the-start-or-end-of-applying/729776/1 "2015-09-03T03:09:10Z")
just curious because I contacted the embassy about requirements I cannot fulfill and they just say well you cannot get it then, want to make sure i’ not throwing money away like with a visa. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pay-for-a-us-passport-renewal-at-the-start-or-end-of-applying/729776/2 "2015-09-03T03:21:13Z")
At least for renewals, you submit your application along with your check. I can’t believe that applying for a new passport is any different. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pay-for-a-us-passport-renewal-at-the-start-or-end-of-applying/729776/3 "2015-09-03T03:25:22Z")
It is at the beginning. They take your payment with your application and acceptable photos for processing. ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pay-for-a-us-passport-renewal-at-the-start-or-end-of-applying/729776/4 "2015-09-03T03:46:33Z")
Well crap, I really do not want to waste the fee which is more than a hundred USD if they refuse. I just hate to waste it but I guess I have no choice but to roll the dice. If anyone is wondering about the story it is that the local embassy asks for a second government(they don’t even specify if they mean US) photo ID, which I don’t have. The main US state department site says as long as the passport was issued in the last fifteen years that is all you need. I have the expired passport which was issued in the last fifteen years, you’d think that would be enough. If you don’t have a second gov photo ID they say you need to bring a US citizen with you to fill out a form that they know you and have for years, I don’t know a single US citizen in this country aside from me and my five year old. Also there is no one in the US who could do it, my parents are dead and the only family left my sister refuses to answer her phone for me. So I don’t know what to do, It is pretty stupid what am I supposed to do stay in this country for the rest of my life with no valid photo ID? ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pay-for-a-us-passport-renewal-at-the-start-or-end-of-applying/729776/5 "2015-09-03T03:53:35Z")
Go to the embassy and ask them. One of their functions is to help U.S. citizens in foreign countries. ---
**Author:** ![zombywoof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/9e8a1a/32.png) [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pay-for-a-us-passport-renewal-at-the-start-or-end-of-applying/729776/6 "2015-09-03T03:55:10Z")
> [@grude](#): > > So I don’t know what to do, It is pretty stupid what am I supposed to do stay in this country for the rest of my life with no valid photo ID? If you want anyone here to perhaps provide useful information, you might start by telling us which “this country” it is you are referring to… ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pay-for-a-us-passport-renewal-at-the-start-or-end-of-applying/729776/7 "2015-09-03T03:59:47Z")
> [@OldGuy](#): > > Go to the embassy and ask them. One of their functions is to help U.S. citizens in foreign countries. I emailed them back and forth asking first before posting as I said in the OP, they won’t let you walk in an ask here you have to make appointments to do stuff. I asked at the door once, they say make an appointment or email or call. ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pay-for-a-us-passport-renewal-at-the-start-or-end-of-applying/729776/8 "2015-09-03T04:00:52Z")
> [@zombywoof](#): > > If you want anyone here to perhaps provide useful information, you might start by telling us which “this country” it is you are referring to… Trinidad&Tobago. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pay-for-a-us-passport-renewal-at-the-start-or-end-of-applying/729776/9 "2015-09-03T04:08:24Z")
> [@grude](#): > > I emailed them back and forth asking first before posting as I said in the OP, they won’t let you walk in an ask here you have to make appointments to do stuff. I asked at the door once, they say make an appointment or email or call. Sounds like the thing to do, then. I’m sure no one here can give you better information than the local embassy. ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pay-for-a-us-passport-renewal-at-the-start-or-end-of-applying/729776/10 "2015-09-03T04:16:59Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Sounds like the thing to do, then. > > I’m sure no one here can give you better information than the local embassy. They don’t have an option to make an appointment to ask questions, just for whatever you’re doing. I just asked here about whether payment is up front or when they approve the application because I did not want to waste the money if they refuse it. (As an aside they seem really “rude” compared to other US embassies I’ve heard of citizens dealing with) EDiT: I did email them and eventually in the back and forth they were like well this is what you need, and if you can’t get it you can’t get the passport. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pay-for-a-us-passport-renewal-at-the-start-or-end-of-applying/729776/11 "2015-09-03T04:46:35Z")
> [@grude](#): > > They don’t have an option to make an appointment to ask questions, just for whatever you’re doing. Make an appointment to renew your passport, and ask your questions during the appointment. If they don’t accept what you bring, then don’t submit the application. If you don’t submit it, you shouldn’t have to pay. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pay-for-a-us-passport-renewal-at-the-start-or-end-of-applying/729776/12 "2015-09-03T10:34:21Z")
You don’t have to submit until you pay. Ask if the other form of ID has to be a US or not. Can you get or do you have a valid US or Trinidad’s driver’s license? Is it possible for someone you know to get you a US birth certificate? Are you eligible for a Trinidad passport? ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pay-for-a-us-passport-renewal-at-the-start-or-end-of-applying/729776/13 "2015-09-03T14:50:19Z")
Although you do not have to provide additional identification when applying for a passport within the U.S., the requirements abroad can vary. The State Dept. [web site on passport renewal](http://www.travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/applying-for-a-u-s--passport-from-outside-the-united-states.html) says the following: > [@](#): > > Application Forms > If you are applying from outside of the United States, DO NOT follow the submission instructions included within the application form, which are intended for people applying from within the United States. The same application forms are used whether you are inside or outside the U.S., though the process for submitting the form will be different. Check your local embassy or consulate’s website for instructions on submitting your forms. The embassy in Trinidad & Tobago has [their own web site](http://trinidad.usembassy.gov/us_passports_abroad/apply/renew-a-us-passport.html), which repeats the above and adds > [@](#): > > During your appointment, the Consular Officer reserves the right to ask for additional documentation to support a passport application. Information and resources on the passport process can be found on the Department of State’s website: [Travel.State.Gov](http://Travel.State.Gov) Bottom line is you need to make an appointment to apply for renewal. If you cannot provide everything needed for them to accept your application, then you don’t apply and you don’t pay. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pay-for-a-us-passport-renewal-at-the-start-or-end-of-applying/729776/14 "2015-09-03T17:05:44Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > Bottom line is you need to make an appointment to apply for renewal. If you cannot provide everything needed for them to accept your application, then you don’t apply and you don’t pay. I’m not sure this is quite correct. My daughter applied in Chiang Mai, Thailand to renew her long-expired passport. Because of a large age gap, she was told she’d need photos to show “development.” It was specifically implied that it was her call what photos would be adequate and if she guessed wrong (i.e. provided inadequate evidence) the fee would be forfeit. ---
**Author:** ![Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pay-for-a-us-passport-renewal-at-the-start-or-end-of-applying/729776/15 "2015-09-03T19:02:21Z")
I guess your process is different. I went just last week to the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv; all I needed was my old passport, the application form, and one picture. I was in and out in 30 minutes, including the wait time. Good luck, I hope it works out for you. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pay-for-a-us-passport-renewal-at-the-start-or-end-of-applying/729776/16 "2015-09-03T20:05:02Z")
Perhaps it’s the fact that OP’s old passport has expired that makes the difference. (And renewing several years after expiration may be different than renewing a few weeks late?) My daughter couldn’t be identified from the baby picture in her old passport. 😉 But it sounds like OP hasn’t yet visited the consulate so appearance change, if any, wouldn’t (yet?) be the problem. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pay-for-a-us-passport-renewal-at-the-start-or-end-of-applying/729776/17 "2015-09-03T21:25:36Z")
Will the application fee be kept even if they don’t issue a passport? Or will they return your check along with a “Sorry Charlie” note? Unless you’ve seen in writing one way or the other you need to ask the Embassy. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2015, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pay-for-a-us-passport-renewal-at-the-start-or-end-of-applying/729776/18 "2015-09-03T21:50:29Z")
I’ve never heard of one of these fees being returned. The thing to do is to go to the Consulate and, before paying any fee, ask to speak to a seniorish Consular official. (Often that means “an American” but you want to find a politer way to phrase it.) American consular offices for its nationals have a reputation for being less helpful than those of some other countries, but you should be able to get a useful personal interview without first paying a fee. (If not, write back and let’s then all write nasty letters to John Kerry.) ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pay-for-a-us-passport-renewal-at-the-start-or-end-of-applying/729776/19 "2015-09-04T01:16:38Z")
Is it possible to live as a foreigner in Trinidad & Tobago without any kind of residence visa? In Indonesia, where I live as a foreigner, they’ll deport you (possibly after a jail term) if you do that and they catch you. Anyway, assuming you have some kind of long-term stay visa from the T&T government, wouldn’t that serve as an ID? (Assuming it has your photo on it - the ones here do.) ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pay-for-a-us-passport-renewal-at-the-start-or-end-of-applying/729776/20 "2015-09-04T01:22:17Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > Is it possible to live as a foreigner in Trinidad & Tobago without any kind of residence visa? In Indonesia, where I live as a foreigner, they’ll deport you (possibly after a jail term) if you do that and they catch you. > > Anyway, assuming you have some kind of long-term stay visa from the T&T government, wouldn’t that serve as an ID? (Assuming it has your photo on it - the ones here do.) No it is not possible in most cases. Which is why I asked if he qualifies for a Trinidad passport. Not sure if the resident visa here has ID, my multi-entry work visa doesn’t. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-pay-for-a-us-passport-renewal-at-the-start-or-end-of-applying/729776.md?page=2)