Best way to get a passport?

I need a passport for early March. Should I just go to the post office or is there a better way without incuring extra expense?

Going to St. Maarten. At no cost due to an awesome cousin. Can't wait!

I suppose you know all about the "I.D" requirements you will need? And while they may have sped up the application process, you are cutting it kind of close for February travel.

Check for a passport office nearest you. In Chicago it's same day service, post office is a couple months.

Driver's license and birth certificate?

Ouch, 2 months! What does the same day service run?

http://travel.state.gov/passport/npic/schedule/schedule_852.html

This late in the game - the State department offers expedited passport service, but it'll be cutting it real close and I don't think you'll make it. There are visa services who will turn the passport around in 24 hours. I had to use one once because I'd lost my passport a week before an emergency trip to Hong Kong - it cost $500 but given the circumstances was worth every penny.

St. Martin, eh. That is supposed to be the scariest airport in the world. Google Princess Juliana Airport.

$700 for 18 hour turn around... nyc

bend over please...

This was just posted today. http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/02/10303097-need-a-passport-itll-cost-you-more

cwh wrote: St. Martin, eh. That is supposed to be the scariest airport in the world. Google Princess Juliana Airport.

Yep, it's pretty scary but it was worth it when I went many years ago. The beach at the end of the runway is kinda scary too. You could almost see the rivits on the planes as they came in for landings.

If you go right to the passport office yourself, its the same cost as mailing it in. (maybe +$50 for same day service). I took my wife to the chicago office, dropped everything off in the morning, had a nice lunch in the theater district & picked it up after that. This was for a renewal (the day before we flew to Europe no less).

KJ

Update:

Spent about $230.00 at the post office for everything, including expediting, which shortens process to 2-3 weeks. They are moving fast and should only be about 2 weeks max.

Thanks for everyone's input.

Umm... early February is past.

SVreX wrote: Umm... early February is past.

Damn it, missed my vacation!!!

March

Did you edit the first post, or did I just have an Alzheimer's moment? Or are you getting some kind of cheap thrill our of making me think I just had an Alzheimer's moment?