Why does it take so long for a Passport acceptance facility to accept my application?

[Rigamarole]

I have an old passport that’s water-damaged and according to the rules, this means I have to apply for renewal in-person rather than by mail. OK, whatever, I get my documents together including the form, which I download and pre-fill (plus attach the required photo), and head over to the Post Office to drop it off, hoping I can get this taken care of before heading in to work today.

I get there and there are some people hanging around the passport area. I knock on the window and this surly Post Office lady opens it up and bellows “Who’s knocking?”

I said I was and wanted to apply for a passport. She says “well you have to wait, look at these people, they’ve been here for 30-45 minutes… this is a time-consuming process.” I see this guy next to me filling out an application by hand. I don’t understand why it is so time-consuming, and I try to ask her that and explain that I have an application already filled out. I really just need them to accept it, since that is what they are supposed to be - a passport application acceptance location. But she isn’t having any of it. She stands there, doing nothing, while the guy keeps filling out his application by hand. I don’t have time for this shit so I leave with my documents and pre-filled form so that I can try another time / at another location.

Why is it such a “time-consuming process” to accept the documents and my money? Why did this bitch have such a stick up her ass about it? Sigh.

[Eva_Luna]

Try another facility. Last time I did mine, I went to the circuit court - I was in and out in less than 10 minutes, and that was at lunchtime.

[suranyi]

@Rigamarole

I have an old passport that’s water-damaged and according to the rules, this means I have to apply for renewal in-person rather than by mail. OK, whatever, I get my documents together including the form, which I download and pre-fill (plus attach the required photo), and head over to the Post Office to drop it off, hoping I can get this taken care of before heading in to work today.

I get there and there are some people hanging around the passport area. I knock on the window and this surly Post Office lady opens it up and bellows “Who’s knocking?”

I said I was and wanted to apply for a passport. She says “well you have to wait, look at these people, they’ve been here for 30-45 minutes… this is a time-consuming process.” I see this guy next to me filling out an application by hand. I don’t understand why it is so time-consuming, and I try to ask her that and explain that I have an application already filled out. I really just need them to accept it, since that is what they are supposed to be - a passport application acceptance location. But she isn’t having any of it. She stands there, doing nothing, while the guy keeps filling out his application by hand. I don’t have time for this shit so I leave with my documents and pre-filled form so that I can try another time / at another location.

Why is it such a “time-consuming process” to accept the documents and my money? Why did this bitch have such a stick up her ass about it? Sigh.

She shouldn’t have been such a grouch, that’s true.

But the thing is, this is the whole point of the difference between you going to a passport acceptance location in person rather than sending in the form by mail. The passport acceptor has to see you in person and check the paperwork and confirm that the ID you present is you. In some locations and for some people he’ll even take and process the passport photo for an extra fee.

You should expect it to take about 10 to 20 minutes per person. At least that’s what it took when I needed to do it last time.

The main issue is that often there is a long line – at least at certain post offices around here.

Of course one should always renew by mail if possible, it’s much faster.