Expedited passport services aka going postal

[Philb]

I am leaving for Ukraine March 13th.  I got my tickets, filled out my Ukrainian Visa app a couple of weeks ago (followed Dan's instructions to the letter).  Ukrainian Embassy in DC only uses Express Mail (normally I would use FedEx).  So, I sent a prepaid, preaddressed Express mail envelope along with the app.  The Embassy sent it back to me this past Friday.  Well, sometime after 2130 on the 14th the wonderful U.S. Postal service lost it.  Actually, it is not *officially* lost until 7 days have passed.  At this point they told me *we just don't know where it is*.

So it looks like I am going to have to cough up some money and pay for an expedited replacement passport and an expedited Ukrainian visa.  Anyone have any recommendations?

[tfcrew]

... in response to Expedited passport services aka going po..., posted by Philb on Feb 20, 2003

Once a replacement is ordered, the original is then of course invalid. This is an enormous hassle.
I agree w/Charles.
Your passport and visa is probably delayed by the weather problems that occured earlier this week. It looks like you still have 3 weeks. Don't freak yet...
Karl

[Watcher]

... in response to Expedited passport services aka going po..., posted by Philb on Feb 20, 2003

Maybe next trip out get a Business Visa good for one year and don't wait until the last minute to get it!!!!!!!!!!!

[Philb]

... in response to Re: Expedited passport services aka goin..., posted by Watcher on Feb 20, 2003

[This message has been edited by Philb]

Exactly how many times have you been to Ukraine and dealt with the Ukrainian Embassy?

Did I tell you what type of visa I applied for?

When did you get your Ukrainian business visa?

As far as waiting tell the last minute, Check the recommendations of the Ukrainian Embassy.

[Charles]

... in response to Expedited passport services aka going po..., posted by Philb on Feb 20, 2003

Be patient, if it was in Maryland it might have been delayed or worse, lost by the record snowfall.  We just got our newpaper for the first time yesterday.  Also make sure the zip code on your express mail is correct.  Otherwise, it will end up in another location.

[Philb]

... in response to Re: Expedited passport services aka goin..., posted by Charles on Feb 20, 2003

I hope it is just the weather.  The post office has never offered this as an explanation though.

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Expedited passport services aka going po..., posted by Philb on Feb 20, 2003

http://www.traveldocs.com/

They got me a passport in one day and fedexed it to me.

Dunno about the passport though. When I got mine, I just went to the post office here... but that wasn't expedited...

I'm surprised about the Express Mail, though. I've never had any problem with them. You had the tracking number, right?

[Philb]

... in response to Re: Expedited passport services aka goin..., posted by MarkInTx on Feb 20, 2003

The last known location was some facility in Maryland that it supposedly left on the 14th.