TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Passport renewal online

Jeez, louise! What a tribulation! The actual application took a while to do, but the problem was the picture. We each went to Walgreens--at different times--and paid for passport photos. The US passport website would not accept either of our pictures. So, we thought we would do them ourselves. We re-took the pictures I don't know how many times and they would never pass inspection. So, in desperation, I finally went to one of these sites online and paid $12 each to fix the pictures. I figured I was probably throwing my money away, even though they guaranteed acceptance of the picture or my money back. However, the passport website did accept both of our pictures, finally.

I just hope, with all the goings on lately, that it will come in time for my trip! I didn't pay for expedited, because you can't do that online. Anyone had a passport renewed lately, regular service?

Hi - submitted the renewal applications on 2/27, received one passport in the mail Saturday, hopefully the second one comes soon. So about 4 weeks. Didn't pay for expedited, just indicated they were needed for late April travel.

I don't recall getting new pictures when I renewed mine back in 2019. Is my memory fading?

OK, thanks sycamore. Please let us know when you receive the second one.

Scuba--as far as I know you always have to have a new picture for passports. I have often renewed my driver's license without a new pic though.

Yes. I remember now. I had it confused with my GE renewal.

Hope you get the passports without any delay.

Passports have always been a worry usually for nothing. High cost too. But you always wonder.

Why does it expire? Shouldn’t a social security death database entry expire it? I remember our kids passports expired in like 5 years. Always scrambling.

The idea of going to a drug store to get a 1950s picture is crazy too.

I never worry much going into other countries but get stressed coming back via air regardless of airport. The line, the expressionless stampers, the suspense.

Unnecessary process and stress for bonafide citizens.

And the need to pay extra for TSA-Pre, Clear, Global Entry. Especially the offer while your in line that for money we can walk you to the front.

The vast number of USA citizens should be welcomed back with a smile, hand wave and facial recognition.

Almost every cruise return has been zero stress and worry.

If you're a AAA member, they also can take your passport photo (at most offices). If you have AAA Plus, there is no charge.

A few years back, I took my 18-year-old daughter to get our photos taken at AAA. Her photo did not turn out well. Besides her flat affect and mussed-up hair, she had circles around her eyes. Serious dark circles (shadows). It legit looked like a mug shot of a meth addict.

So we took the photos and applications to the post office. The clerk took one look at here photo and said, "We can't take these. You're wearing sunglasses." I replied, "Um... can you check again, please?"

She accepted the photos and applications. No problem with processing. And for the next several years, daughter has a passport with an awful picture. But a funny story to go with it.

So I can vouch that AAA will take the photo and it will be accepted. Can't vouch for the quality, though.

Bill--my picture wasn't great, but after all the hoo-ha to get it done, I was just grateful to be able to submit the application.

Good to know. We did my husbands online on Thursday. Picture was super easy and accepted instantly. He received notification that the application was received. I’ll report back on how long it takes. Submitted 3/20. Didn’t have a white wall in our house so used an off white one. Hopefully even though it was accepted it doesn’t get kicked back.

That was one of our big problems, no white surface and it didn't even like the white sheet we tried to use. Thank goodness we finally got it done. Please do let me know how long yours takes.

Carol, I think they (CBP)require a picture with a white background for a passport

Yes, they do. And my white sheet wasn't white ENOUGH..

Better get the bleach out. Sorry just couldn't resist it.

It's weird, the instructions online say 'white or off white'. Regardless, glad we finally got it done.

David renewed his online; took his picture with his phone. He had to submit it a couple of times, but got it right. It took less than three weeks to come back.

Georgia. Once received do you mail the old passport back or destroy it?

When renewing your passport, you'll need to submit your old passport with your renewal application, and it will usually be returned to you separately after your new passport is mailed.

Thanks but that’s if you do it via mailing in your application. When doing the renewal online it doesn’t tell you what to do with the old one. Unless we missed that!!!

From the travel.state.gov website when dealing with online renewal:

Keep Your Most Recent Passport

When you complete your application, you will need the passport you are renewing on hand. Keep your most recent passport. Do not mail it to us, or try to use it to travel since we will cancel it. 

Georgia--you said David's passport took three weeks to come back. When did you submit it?

We tried taking the picture with my camera and with my phone. No go, either one, until we paid someone to fix it.

i've used this free iOS app( Passport Booth App)in the past with good results...i like it because it helps to ensure the photo is the correct size and centered properly...usually the trickiest thing for me is avoiding shadows on the wall

there are other similar apps, for IOS and Android

Follow up - even though I submitted my wife's application ten minutes after mine on 2/27/25, her new passport arrived Saturday but not mine, by now six days ago (for us, just like the old days of Covid when approvals from nasal swab test results from CVS were received days apart and perilously close to flying dates despite us simultaneous dropping the test swab tubes in the drawer). But, having requested the automatic updates in the system I received the email last night mine was approved and was being printed. Then today another email from the US Department of State, notifying today the second new passport was sent by USPS Express Mail (tracking number provided) and though routine service could take 4-6 week I should receive it on or around 3/30/2025.
Thank God for small wonders.

Neither. We just kept it.

Carol, I'm not positive, but I think it was in late January.

Georgia--ok, thanks.

sycamore--check this out--I submitted both of our applications on MARCH 24--4 days ago. Today, I get an email that my passport has been shipped! Amazing!! But so far, Eric has heard nothing regarding his. Hopefully he will hear soon.