u.s. passport renewal while in Mexico???

[Doyle Phillips]

Too late i see that my passport will expire in April so i will have to get it
renewed while dwelling in Mexico.

1. Have you done this from Mexico and do you have time to write your experience/advice?

2. Do you know all the costs involved?

Thanks.

[Jzmackenzie]

My sister, Jolene, renewed hers at the Embassy in SMA. It was very easy, one trip, no hassles. Do not recall the cost for the Embassy to help. The passport was $65 I think.

Jacquie

[doncoulter]

Doyle,

You can renew your passport at the US consular agency (not embassy) in San Miguel, but it's by no means quick. I believe they say it takes a couple of months. They send the passport off to Mexico City, and I think from there it's sent off to D.C. I suggest getting in touch with Ed Clancy, the consular agent: edclancy@yahoo.com or consuladosma@gmail.com, phone 121-0038 or cell 415-113-9574. He's very helpful and can give you all the details.

The renewal cost is US$110 (same as in the States), and there is a delivery charge of 135 pesos if you renew via San Miguel. Of course, you can also do the renewal at the embassy in Mexico City, much more quickly.

If you do it through San Miguel, the delivery is handled by an outfit called Pegaso. Several years ago, the same outfit was in charge of delivering my wife's US visa, and they screwed it up royally. Perhaps they've improved.

Don

[jesm]

We renewed at the Consulate, made an appointment via telephone, and the normal turnaround time was said to be 6 weeks. It could be shortened to 3 weeks if you pay a hefty additional fee to have your documents air-shipped to/from DC. We went with normal schedule and the new passports were back in 4 weeks. Very well done.

[McMurphy_RP]

I had to renew my passport while I was in Japan, and I was able to do it all by mail. A few weeks after sending my current passport, a U.S. postal money order for $110, two photos, and the supporting paperwork to the U.S. Embassy, I recieved the old passport and a new passport in the mail.

Of course, that was in Japan, where I'd trust the postal service with just about anything. Sending a passport through the mail might be more risky here, but you could always use a private delivery service like DHL.

For what it's worth, I'll also second what Don said: Ed Clancy, the consular agent in SMA, is fantastic. If you ask him whether there are any concerns with the Pegaso, or whatever delivery service they're using now, he'll be straight with you.