Imagine what they would do with your healthcare and insurance.

That's shitty. I've never heard of that happening before. 

I'd just try to escalate anyway you can and speak with someone directly. Worst case is you'd have to claim your original passport was lost/stolen and pay the $150 for a new one.

posted by Automatik

That's shitty. I've never heard of that happening before. 

I'd just try to escalate anyway you can and speak with someone directly. Worst case is you'd have to claim your original passport was lost/stolen and pay the $150 for a new one.

That is exactly what happened... 

So you had to pay the renewal fee AND replacement fee due to their fuckup? I'd get someone on the phone and flip out. 

This is why you send the passport via certified mailing.  I believe they even reccommend that. 

posted by like_that

This is why you send the passport via certified mailing.  

Yes. Never send anything of value like that without it having to be signed for or, at the very least, tracking. It is well worth the extra postage and peace of mind. 

Even if I sent it certified, would that prove they recieved the passport? They sent back my application and check, but no passport. Short of making a video when I sent it, I'm not sure how I prove I sent the passport. 

Yeah, it's a fuck up on their end. You might be screwed.

posted by like_that

This is why you send the passport via certified mailing.  I believe they even reccommend that. 

Good advice.  Wish I would have thought of that before I sent mine in...

Although, that doesn't protect you from them losing it after the fact.

posted by FatHobbit

Even if I sent it certified, would that prove they recieved the passport? They sent back my application and check, but no passport. Short of making a video when I sent it, I'm not sure how I prove I sent the passport. 

Nothing you can do.  They received your app but lost the passport.  You're not going to brow-beat them into giving you a pass like you might with a company, because you're dealing with Homeland Security.

LOL, I think I'd just eat the extra $60 because you don't need to piss-off a govt employee that hates their job....and find yourself on a no-fly list!

posted by FatHobbit

Even if I sent it certified, would that prove they recieved the passport? They sent back my application and check, but no passport. Short of making a video when I sent it, I'm not sure how I prove I sent the passport. 

Certified mail has to be signed for, so yes it proves they received it. 

You send the passport in the same envelope as the application. They said they got the check and app, no passport. They either fucked up on their end. Or it was taken from the envelope during transit.

posted by wildcats20

Certified mail has to be signed for, so yes it proves they received it. 

It proves they received his application, which doesn't appear to be the issue.  It DOES NOT prove he included his old passport with the application.

Doesn't appear to be any way to avoid what happened here.  Expedited processing might be better, but you pay more money.  The rush jobs thru 3rd parties are even MORE money.

Most local Post Office has a Passport Area that you can schedule a meeting to renew your passport..

posted by Belly35

Most local Post Office has a Passport Area that you can schedule a meeting to renew your passport..

really helpful for OP thanks for posting 

I believe he's referring to a photo appointment. As always Belly, we thank you!

I think you can send the application and passport separate, no? That would be the key to certified mail route.

Sucks for you, as I’ve never heard of that happening. Never had an issue with my previous 2 renewals (or original).

posted by Laley23

I think you can send the application and passport separate, no? That would be the key to certified mail route.

No way to prove what was in that envelope was your passport.  Even video taping from sealing the envelope to dropping it in the box probably wouldn't fly.