Do you pay for a US passport renewal at the start or end of applying?

[Monty]

@septimus

I’ve never heard of one of these fees being returned.

Fees for applications and processing are usually not returned. I’ve never heard of a case in which such a fee was 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.)

A consular official, as in a Consul or Deputy Consul, must be a citizen of the United States. Clerical workers can be local hire (read: host country national).

American consular offices for its nationals have a reputation for being less helpful than those of some other countries,

This is because far too many people expect the US embassy or consulate to do something that it’s not legal for the embassy or consulate to do. In my official and personal dealings with US embassies in four countries, they’ve been extremely helpful and courteous.

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.)

And you’ll get a form letter in response telling you the same information that’s already on the embassy/consulate website regarding what they can and cannot do for you.

[JRDelirious]

If you do not want to waste your fee, you need to risk wasting an afternoon or morning. Like they said, ask to speak to a proper consular official and have it clearly detailed what exactly is it that has to be included in the packet. Ask exactly and explicitly what supplementary form(s) of ID would be acceptable (driving license, voter card, etc).

You hand over the payment when you file the *completed *application *with *all the proper supporting materials attached. Not before. If you can’t complete the application you do not file it and do not pay that day. Sure, someone on staff may :rolleyes: at somebody claiming to have no second “government-issue photo-ID”, but they should not and their opinion should not affect the actual SOP of that consulate/embassy either.

[grude]

@KarlGrenze

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?

I have permanent residency, but it is a paper certificate and a stamp in my expired passport. Not eligible for a tt passport yet, the residency requirement here is 8 years to apply for citizenship!

TT ID card is only for citizens, and drivers license asks for photo ID so we’re right back where we started(never applied for one since I don’t have a car).

I have birth certificate and SS card and all that already.

Sorry for the late reply I didn’t know this thread was still active.

[grude]

@septimus

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.

Yup fear of that was what made me post the question.

The passport is expired by one year.

[septimus]

@grude

Yup fear of that was what made me post the question.

The passport is expired by one year.

My daughter was able to chat in person with a consular official for free; and they told her what further evidence to bring. You need to do the same.

Worst-comes-to-worst find an American who’ll vouch for you who wants a vacation in Trinidad anyway.

[JRDelirious]

OP, get to talk to a real consular official to explain the situation. We’re not going to get much further here.
But again. They are not going to mug you for $150 just for walking in the door.

It is however a comment on modern life and government bureaucracies, the sort of tautological way in which photo-ID is issued by which you need to have one to get one. And the way it’s presumed that “obviously of course” you will have TWO forms of ID. This is why my passport AND my driving license both are renewed months before expiring whether or not I’m travelling. Spares me from getting steamed at rubberstamp minions if the need does arise. ( of course, I’m domestic, so I don’t have to deal with the State Dept presuming i’m trying to sneak in…)

[grude]

@JRDelirious

OP, get to talk to a real consular official to explain the situation. We’re not going to get much further here.
But again. They are not going to mug you for $150 just for walking in the door.

It is however a comment on modern life and government bureaucracies, the sort of tautological way in which photo-ID is issued by which you need to have one to get one. And the way it’s presumed that “obviously of course” you will have TWO forms of ID. This is why my passport AND my driving license both are renewed months before expiring whether or not I’m travelling. Spares me from getting steamed at rubberstamp minions if the need does arise.

I agree the only thing to do is go for it, and thanks for the answers everyone.

I think the embassy asks for 2nd ID whether the passport is expired or not for renewal, but I didn’t know that beforehand. Didn’t bother with the DL since I had no car to drive anyway.

Anyway thanks for the help!