Re: Passport renewal times
Posted: Mon May 12, 2025 12:05 am
I renewed my passport via mail with the US embassy in Tokyo last year and it took less than two weeks.
As a side note, I also got an “Passport Card” this time as well in addition to the book. Though it is only useful for travel between the US, Canada, and Mexico (not Japan), I find it handy to have another official US Gov ID card. For example, I recently had to get a replacement social security card in order to start the process on my Japanese pension (they needed a copy of the card and I have long lost mine). To do that, I had to include either a passport book or passport card with the application I sent to the US embassy in Tokyo for the social security card replacement. I never like going without my passport just in case I need to travel urgently. So I could use my passport card for this purpose and keep my book.
As a side note, I also got an “Passport Card” this time as well in addition to the book. Though it is only useful for travel between the US, Canada, and Mexico (not Japan), I find it handy to have another official US Gov ID card. For example, I recently had to get a replacement social security card in order to start the process on my Japanese pension (they needed a copy of the card and I have long lost mine). To do that, I had to include either a passport book or passport card with the application I sent to the US embassy in Tokyo for the social security card replacement. I never like going without my passport just in case I need to travel urgently. So I could use my passport card for this purpose and keep my book.
