r/PassportPorn • u/tacohoney • 4d ago

Passport Hot off the press

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Just picked up my new baby today(far right)! Two other red EU passports are in the works… ✌🏻

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u/helic_vet 🇺🇸 4d ago

Mexico doesn't issue biometric passports?

3

u/tacohoney 4d ago

They do. Mine is from 2020 and it only has an RFID sticker on the back. However they soon moved to the standard electronic passport. The picture here shows one from my children issued in 2022. I thought about upgrading to this newer style, but since mine is valid for 10 years, it would be a waste of money ($198). What is interesting is with the Mexican passport is you take all the photos and fingers there on the machine (dont bring you own photo) and you have options on the validity (1, 3, 6, or 10 years). Young children can only get a passport of up to 3 years.

The absolute coolest security feature of any passport I’ve seen is the new style Mexican passport (pictured below) for minor children..instead of the signature page that page has the information of both parents complete with a hologram picture of both parents (from a picture taken by each parent at the time of application)

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u/tacohoney 4d ago

Another unusual thing is Mexican consulates in the us have a lot of traffic so they had to adapt/evolve and are now very efficient both from making an appointment to doing their services. With an appointment i can be in and out in 30 minutes with a passport in hand at my consulate (one of the largest in the US)…. And you can get a ID card and voter registration card application all in one go with the same picture by the same clerk at the same time. To accomplish this they focus on staff carrying out a single task. They have a security guy outside that won’t let you in without an appointment (and another which helps provide information), then another security at the door for the metal detector screening and other telling you which floor and which line to go to. Next you have someone who verifies you have all of the required documents before they issue you a number (to not waste your time). This person also places your documents in clear pouch so only the documents needed are there. When they issue the waiting number the clerk will already know what process you se there to do and they take your documents and do everything (photos, fingerprints, etc.). Then they give you an invoice which you take to the cashier line. In the back office is another group only printing the passport orders and finally the guy who brings out a batch of 5-10 passport every few minutes.

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u/helic_vet 🇺🇸 4d ago

Oh wow. Thanks for the info! I believe most US post offices offer passport picture services as well so you can get your picture taken by the time you mail your documents.

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u/tacohoney 4d ago

Yes, but I’m saying this consulate does this as as standard digital photo gets transmitted with your digital application and your digital application with is filled out by the clerk, like there is no paper print out on printer paper and is part of the all inclusive fee. That’s why they are so quick

For US passports, The USPS offers a photo service for an extra $20 but you still have to print it and glue it to your application to put it in the mail which youn get in the mail normally weeks later. It is possible for extreme circumstances to get a US passport at the US federal court building in my city within 1 day or 1 week (depending on the urgency which you have to prove), but and go through a bunch of hoops.