Passport Nightmare!!!

No advice,, but lots of sympathy,, I would be furious too, and to think in this day and age of terrorists etc that they actually messed up and put the wrong picture on your passport is even worse, sloppy work!!!!
Hope you get it soon, and I would go into the actual passport office, not mail it in, we have that option here do you? Even if you had to drive an hour or so to do it , I would want face to face on this!

Heath, I'm with Pat, drive into Seattle. I couldn't get an appointment with that office in June, but you should be able to. Call the same number and tell them you want an appointment for the Seattle Passport office. Then be there an hour before your appointment. It should be a quick interview as you have a passport in your hand but it will take up to 3 hours to get it after that. It sounds like more hassle and it is, but there's nothing like looking someone in the face and getting it done!!!

Thanks, Pat and Linda... the customer service rep told me that I had to have proff that we are leaving within 14 days to actually go into the office.

-Just called to confirm this and I am not able to get an appointment with the office unless I'm leaving within 14 days.

We had a similar situation: five DAYS before our departure my husband's passport arrived--with his name spelled wrong.

He went into the Seattle office without an appointment because they told him on the phone that it was a "different room" and that getting an appointment wouldn't help, which proved to be true from his experience. He left his passport to be corrected; they were supposed to overnight it to him--they even provided him with a tracking number. Which hadn't been used the next day, or the next, at which point I sent him BACK downtown with instructions not to come home without a passport.

The good news is that it was actually done; they had to retrieve it from the outgoing mail to give it to him. So if you have a "spare" day, I would suggest going to Seattle before the 14-day limit. You might not need to see the "appointment" people.

Interesting info Kari. If I wasn't having to work today I might just go down there. My wife is taking care of this for me at the post office this AM. I'll have her ask the person there what would be best.

Heath, several other posters on this site have had luck getting passport problems straightened out by contacting their congressman. Some reported they had to call more than one office (eg. the local office, the office in DC, etc) until they found someone who would help, but once help was offered things got straightened out just like magic.

A little friendly advice, though. Eat the cost of the pictures. They messed up. It's their fault. But screaming and yelling at them to pay your $10 expense just isn't worth it; and you don't want aggravate someone in a position to "lose" your passport!

Definitely call Congressman Larson and Senators Murray and Caldwell. Make sure you let the staffers know you've called the other offices so they can coordinate. They're getting lots of calls about passports so be sure the office knows you received one with the wrong photograph.

Have one of our senators get you the appointment or your rep could also.

Gee Ray... Thanks... I needed that one. Very helpful, I guess you've had this happen before.

Sheesh

I have followed exactly what I have been told by the Customer Service people and also what the lady at the application office told me this afternoon. She wanted to send a photocopy of my ID with the rework order. Along with a request for a refund of the cost of shipping and the new photos that she thinks I'll probably get (regardless of what Ray thinks).

I'll also follow up with my Congressmen/women.

Heath,
Wow, every traveler's nightmare! Thanks for posting. We renewed our passports six months ago. Just got out of the chair, opened the til and double checked ours. I'm praying that your mess gets worked out as soon as possible! As far as the rant goes, baby you earned the right, let it fly! Things like this can push you past the point of rational thought. Good luck Buddy!!!

Heath - If you need some more info on how to get help this link is very helpful - tons of info and accurate advice as to how to proceed with difficulties in obtaining your passports.

http://whirledview.typepad.com/whirledview/2007/07/passports-conti.html

Sorry to hear about this, Heath, and for all of the frustration and stress you're feeling.

I do thank you for your post, though. I'm going on a Rick Steves tour in a few weeks and after I return, I shall start the process to get my passport renewed (it expires 11/08) rather than wait.

I also agree with the previous poster that you are more than entitled to rant all you want. There is no excuse for your receiving a passport with the wrong picture. That's very scary and worth a rant.

Happy thoughts to you and your wife . . . I'm sure you'll enjoy Italy. :o)

Heath, Poor you. The only lesson here is that once you get your passport, NEVER let it expire! Be sure to keep us updated on further events..please. Laurel

Heath,
I really hope you spent today on the phone with your elected officals telling them exactly how mad you are that your "tax dollars" are at waste!!! The congressman/woman are getting these things released. I wouldn't trust the "expedite" fee.

Heath, Hope it all works out. You and the wife should have a fun holiday.

Seems like a few people think I'm the jump up and down and scream type of person... I guess, this might be the classic,"emotion can sometimes be misunderstood on the internet" Was I angry? Yes, very. As I'm sure most people here would be. I guess sarcasm should be left out of posts. What did I do? I called the passport office... told them what had happened and that I was angry and nervous because time is short, and they gave me very good info on the phone how to correct it.(I do have to say one thing, the passport office's customer service seems to very good.) I've also called my congressman's office (as other's have said to do) and they are working the issue as well.
Speaking of my congressman's office... they just called me to tell me that they talked to the passport office and that they have my passport and are working it. Also, that I will be getting my money back for the new pictures and the cost of shipping. Even if its small beens, its the principle. Gov't not all bad?

I just got a call from a nice lady at the passport office. They want me to fax them receipts so that they can send me a check for the cost of photos and the shipping. Also, my passport is on its way back to me and I should have it in my hands tomorrow (hopefully with the right photo!). One week turn around... pretty good if you ask me.

Oh Heath.. Thanks for the update ..we've been concerned. and I am so happy for you.. This post has been a huge eye opener for a lot of us to make sure all our travel docs are up to date and in order.. Now what about the guy who is running around with YOUR picture on HIS passport? Ever hear from or about him/her?

Thanks Kate. I have not heard about the guy who has my picture... Maybe there are 2000 people all off by one picture! I don't know. I assume that he has had to go through the same things I have.

Ha! All is well... My passport is here and it is correct!!! One week to fix... that is pretty good! One less thing to stress about. :) A huge thanks to the helpful folks here...and a another huge thanks to my Congressman's office who I believe kicked some butt to get this done faster!

pheww.... time to enjoy Italy!

Heath, congratulations! Now you can rest for another 10 years.

So, where are you going in Italy?

Rome (3 nights), Venice (3 nights), Monteroso, CT (4 nights), and back to Rome for 3 more nights... Can't wait!

Hooray,, glad that is all sorted out, and nice to see that the advice to go to your Congressman paid off!
Now enjoy your trip!!

Very glad that you got a break. For what you went though you deserved it. Hopefully that experience will be a once in a lifetime happening. Have a great trip and a good time in Italy!!!

Just consider yourselves lucky us poor Canadians have passports that only last 5 years...I would give my eyeteeth to only have to deal with the passport office once every decade. This passport mess should abate once the 70% of Americans who dont have passports get them or at least those that will need them get them. Only about 200 million to go :)

This mess is a result of the current government leadership instituting laws without planning all the details that go into implementing them. If you talk to anyone in INS and passport offices they are absolutely overwhelmed; the laws got passed but no funds to hire more help. These things we, as Americans assume are done efficiently just aren't. I have a client that almost lost an entire cruise trip due to the delays. She got hers in the mail with one day to spare. Write your legislative representitives to let them know your story and urge them to invest in the personnel needed to carry out the tasks they need to.

I think the moral of the story is that every one should get a passport whether they are traveling or not...I don't mean for this to clog up the works further, but just get it so you're not caught in a bind when you do decide to travel....

Dear Heath:

Your post made me look at my passport just to be sure, and I leave in the AM of 9/15). I am certain that the next ten years will go a lot smoother. Bon Voyage!!

Go Heath!! I just came on here and read about your experience and was sooo relieved when I saw the post indicating that your Passport was recieved.Can't believe the part about someone elses pic on your passport...YIKES!!..how the heck did they manage that one I wonder...duh!!

I do believe that after everything you went through you and your wife will totally savor each and every moment of your time abroad!

We are headed over to Italy as well in just 2 weeks... and a few months ago my daughter went to the Post Office in NYC to put in her passport application..We had gotten one for her when she was younger but it had expired and due to her age she needed to get a brand new one and could not just re-new the old one.... We were a bit nervous so we had her do the expedite thingy and she ended up getting hers back in about 2 weeks...where my husband waited over 3 months to have his passport renewed...(No expedite) Go figure??
Glad it all worked out for you!

Heath, After this inauspicious beginning, let us know how the rest of the trip goes...Have a great time!