Passport Renewal in a Foreign Land

Oct 30^th 2017

We went to the US Embassy here in Trinidad this morning to renew our passports.  “Why didn’t you do it when you were back in the USA?”  Well, we had heard it was easy here, cheap here, fast here and why not.  It seemed like a good reason to visit a US Embassy.  General "visiting” of US Embassies isn’t something that happens.  And while we could stroll by and maybe take pics – cause you know I like to take me some pics – it would really be a waste of time.  And we certainly hope we don’t ever want to need / have to  visit to a US Embassy, so this seems like a good way to do it.  Yes, we are weird that we thought it would be kewl to renew our passports abroad.

With guidance from fellow cruisers Rico and Jackson (mv Shadowfax) I went online to do further research.  I briefed Tom and then a few days later we each went online and filled out the necessary paperwork.  Since we were applying from a foreign country, we could not submit online.  Instead, we printed everything out.  Then we applied for an appointment date.  The next available was 3 business days later.  Not too bad given that Global Entry appointments in the USA are out at least 6 months or more!  We also found a local photography shop that took official passport pics.  This gentleman had been in business since 1974 according to the certificate of business was hanging on the wall.  He certainly knew his way around all the requirements for passport photos in various countries, including the US requirements.  Four passport photos (two each) plus an electronic copy for $75TT or approx. $13US total.  We also stopped at a local TT post office to purchase to A5 envelopes, another renewal requirement for delivery of our new passports. 

Paperwork printed, official passport pictures in hand along with envelopes and printed appointment confirmation, we scheduled a driver through Jesse James Maxi Taxi Services and Tour Guide.  With an 8am appointment, we didn’t want to risk getting stuck in traffic in a regular Maxi. 

The alarm went off at 6am and we were picked up at 7am sharp by Leo.  I had on one of my “nice” skorts (meaning no or few stains), Tom wore long pants.  We almost looked like land people.  HA!  We were limited in what we were carrying with us.  The web site made it very clear and Rico and Jackson enforced it – NO cell phones, smartphones, cameras, tablets, MP3 players, etc….including smart watches.  Rut-ro……I had to leave my beloved Garmin Marine Quatix watch behind.  And yes, I looked at my empty wrist at least 20 times this morning. 

We arrived just before 8am.  There seemed to be two lines on the sidewalk outside this particular entrance.  A woman was previewing paperwork/appointment and specifics and sorted accordingly.  We were moved to the front of the line marked US Citizens.  Within 3 mins we cleared security and went to window #4.  The lady looked at our documents quickly and explained that we would need to pay the cashier first in another room and then come back.  We did that.  $50 US for the passport renewal and $60 US for facility fee = $110 total for each, rung through as separate charges.  We went back in the other room and back to window #4.  After about 5 or so minutes, she called me up.  She scanned the barcode on my paperwork and voila, the info filled her screen.  She attached my pic, helped me fill out the envelope, I signed and that was that.  Tom was next.  Unfortunately, his barcode would not scan correctly.  She had to type in his info.  Additionally, we did not take copies of our passports.  D-oh.  But she was ok and simply made color copies on her side of the glass.  She punched holes in our current passports and handed them back to us.  “Please take a seat, an official will call you shortly.”  We waited maybe 10-15 mins MAX.  Tom was first at window #5.  She asked him a few questions, typed in her computer, stamped and signed the docs and said “Raise your right hand.  Do you swear that……” blah blah blah.  Tom said yes.  She stamped one more time and then said “ You should receive your new passport in 10 days.”  I was next.  Same gig.  “Okay.  Thank you and have a nice day.”  “NO, thank YOU.”  We exited at exactly 9am.

So according to our fellow cruisers, our paperwork now goes into the diplomatic pouch which of course, goes back to the US.  Our new passports are then sent back down here via the diplomatic pouch and then put in the A5 envelopes we filled out and popped into the local mail for delivery to us here in the marina.

Easy peasy – we hope.  I will let you know once we get them. 

BTW – we only had 5 empty pages left.  Not too bad for a 10 yr passport.  We checked the box for the larger 52 page passport but it is unclear if the Dept of State is still issuing those. 

Update – We got our passports.  I think it was something like 6-7 working days.   And we got the bigger, 52 page passport.  Lookout world, here we come!