Have You Seen My Passport?

We are getting ready to take a short trip, and the other night my husband asked if I had checked my passport to make sure it hadn’t expired. I was confident it hadn’t, but I knew he’d ask the question every day until our departure if I didn’t visually confirm the date. I went to the drawer where we keep the family passports – mine was missing – I panicked. I asked my husband if he’d moved it. He gave me The Look – you know the “how could you be so irresponsible and disorganized“ look. Ok, maybe that’s not what The Look said, but that’s how I was feeling so that’s how I interpreted his facial expression.

I spent the evening tearing through the house: Checking every drawer, every file, all my purses, suitcase, and coat pockets I even checked the car glove boxes – NO, that’s not where I would put my passport, but I was desperate. I found $20 in a purse that hadn’t gotten cleaned out, $25 in a coat pocket, but no Passport.
I went to the county government offices to begin the process of expediting a new passport. I learned that Dallas now has a Federal Passport office and if your departure date is in 14 days or less you can show up in person and have a new passport in 24 hours. While I was there I had my picture taken for $10.

Back at home, I called the tollfree number for the National Passport Information Center (877-487-2778) and made an appointment for 8:00 the next morning. I was not ready to give up, so I ripped through everything again – still no passport, but I did find some more money - $250 hidden away in a suitcase (the emergency cash I squirrel away in a safe place on every trip we take).

I arrived at 1100 Commerce Street in downtown Dallas at 8am and paid $10 for parking. I had all my documents in hand (old expired passport, driver’s license, proof of travel within 14 days, cash, checkbook, and a passport form). I was pleasantly surprised when I stepped off the elevator on the 11th floor. I stood in a short line, my documents were reviewed, and I got a number. I waited about 10 minutes – just enough time to write three long overdue thank you notes.

When my number was called, they verified my documents, administered the oath, had me sign the form and I wrote a check for $160 (they even take credit cards if you forget the checkbook). My new passport will be ready to pickup after 11am the next day. Every person I encountered in this process was pleasant. The good news, the entire process took under an hour. I was back home and at the computer by 9am. And, even after the picture, parking and fees I’m up $115!