tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.comments2023-09-19T07:23:03.739-04:00In the Line of Fire -- Ramblings of the incoherent mindShounak S. Pandithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13226018332763004042noreply@blogger.comBlogger694125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-69802832087287113432014-07-23T16:43:19.000-04:002014-07-23T16:43:19.000-04:00Hi Shaunak - A very big thank you for the work and...Hi Shaunak - A very big thank you for the work and initiative. Your blog has been a wonderful guidance for all of us.<br>Jose Cyriac - Thanks to you also for your reply....it helped me a lot.<br><br>I have received my new passport yesterday and these were the timelines for NY - <br><br>Package sent by USPS Priority Mail - 30th June<br>Package delivered to BLS - 1st July<br>Application accepted by BLS: 08-07-2014 , 16:18 <br>Appliication Processed on Date :08-07-2014 <br>Application Processed and submitted to Consulate : 09-07-2014 , 16:20 <br>Passport received at BLS Center : 18-07-2014 , 13:07 <br>Passport handed over to Applicant : - <br>Passport Dispatched to Applicant :18-07-2014 , 13:08 <br><br>Just to highlight - BLS took 1 week to accept it.<br><br>Few observations which might help others - <br><br>1. Tatkal is not accepted over mail (only by person) for NY consulate. BLS site is not very clear about it.<br>2. If you do not get answers to your queries in this blog - you can always write a mail to them and they reply within couple of days.<br>3. If you see that they have delivered new passport to courier on a friday after 1pm...it would mean that USPS would pick it up next monday and their tracking would start once it reaches their distribution center and updated into the system (round about 11pm on Monday).PARTHAnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-33926600900941081192014-07-23T15:38:52.000-04:002014-07-23T15:38:52.000-04:00Parthiv,Please ignore the "citizen" part...Parthiv,<br><br>Please ignore the "citizen" part in the 1st para in my above comment. I mean, you would not need a Indian Passport if you were a US citizen :)Raj Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-70780096383946753592014-07-23T15:32:17.000-04:002014-07-23T15:32:17.000-04:00Also on the new passport they would have my husban...Also on the new passport they would have my husband's name on last page . Right? wouldn't that help too?Parthiv Bhagatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-52978643423761132132014-07-23T15:30:52.000-04:002014-07-23T15:30:52.000-04:00No i don't have my new name on visa. I am on H...No i don't have my new name on visa. I am on H4 visa in USA. ALso i heard when we are travelling we can just take original marriage certificate and affidavit to prove that visa on old passport with maiden name belongs to you with new passport and new name. Wouldn't that work?Parthiv Bhagatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-34579483836121362482014-07-23T15:01:55.000-04:002014-07-23T15:01:55.000-04:00Hi,I could get my documents notarized free of char...Hi,<br><br>I could get my documents notarized free of charge from a local credit union bank and I did only top page notary as instructed by a BLS customer care person.neocsbeehttp://gravatar.com/neocsbeenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-88958621778392961802014-07-23T13:09:19.000-04:002014-07-23T13:09:19.000-04:00Hello All , First I would like to Thank Shaunak Pa...Hello All , First I would like to Thank Shaunak Pandit for his work on this forum. Gr8 work man and keep going .<br><br>I have sent my passport to BLS using fedex . Here are the details <br><br>BLS Receipt Number => USACXXXXXXXX<br>Current Aplication Status : underprocess<br><br>Application accepted by BLS: 23-07-2014 , 11:43<br>Appliication Processed on Date :23-07-2014<br>Application Processed and submitted to Consulate : -<br>Passport received at BLS Center : -<br>Passport handed over to Applicant : -<br>Passport Dispatched to Applicant :-Funky_bugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-60163181616440741112014-07-23T11:20:42.000-04:002014-07-23T11:20:42.000-04:00Parthiv,Yes you can have your new name on your pas...Parthiv,<br><br>Yes you can have your new name on your passport provided you have the supporting documents. BUT before doing that, just wanted to check with you - I am not sure what kind of legal status you have here in the US. If you have some sort of visa or GC or if you are a citizen, does the visa or GC show your new name? Did you get your name change done on SS#, Driver's Lic. etc?<br><br>The reason I am asking is because it's a big hassel when your passport has your married name and your GC or visa still has your old maiden name. It will be a problem when you will be travelling.<br><br>If your GC or visa shows the new married name, then YES go ahead and write your new married name on the application form and provide supporting docs like Notarized Marriage Certificate and Notarized ID proof like Driver's Lic. or Utility bill, all showing the new married name.<br> <br>Also if you GC or visa's do not have the new married name, you can atleast have your spouse's name added on the last page of the passport where they write your parents name and address. You just need to provide a Notarized copy of your Marriage Certificate.Raj Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-91814108852068576332014-07-23T11:03:01.000-04:002014-07-23T11:03:01.000-04:00Hi Pranit,The USPS person should be doing all that...Hi Pranit,<br><br>The USPS person should be doing all that, all you would need to do is put in your addresses correctly. Please check the post for details on how I had sent the envelopes it might give your answers and also some more guidance on this. I don't recall the position of the airway bill number as I had done it in Spet'13 please go through the post I have mentioned in detail where to find the info.Shaunak Pandithttp://shaunakpandit.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-23843351785741391982014-07-23T10:57:55.000-04:002014-07-23T10:57:55.000-04:00Hi Parthiv,Sorry have no clue about that, someone ...Hi Parthiv,<br><br>Sorry have no clue about that, someone had mentioned they got the name change done , please check comments to see if you find some reference there.Shaunak Pandithttp://shaunakpandit.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-39585419275570117122014-07-22T16:36:57.000-04:002014-07-22T16:36:57.000-04:00in the online NRI Passport application form they a...in the online NRI Passport application form they ask us for name. As i am recently married and want to have my new name on passport. DO i need to specify it here or just include my old nameParthiv Bhagatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-18339341623628107332014-07-22T15:23:32.000-04:002014-07-22T15:23:32.000-04:00Ram,I am not sure if you have figured this out or ...Ram,<br><br>I am not sure if you have figured this out or no. But to answer your question - Its a little tricky with USPS online printing.<br><br>If you print the lables online it will cost you $5.16 vs $5.60 at the post office.<br><br>When you print the label online, it will ask you for a mailing date/s.The mailing dates gets printed on the labels vs you getting a stamp and a tracking label (without any dates from the post office).<br><br>You will need 2 labels if you are doing your own prepaid delivery envelope & label. So for the envelope you will be sending - Once you have the passport paperwork ready and know tentatively when you will be mailing the envelope, you can select a future date (says a week from the time you print it). This label tracking number will be printed on the BLS order form. You need to mail the envelop on or before the date printed on the label.<br><br>As for the return label, this is where it gets tricky. Since you do not know how much time it will take for BLS to mail your new/old passports, you will not know what mailing date to select for the pre-paid label. If BLS does not mail your packet on or before the date printed on the return evnvelope, USPS may not accept your envelope.<br><br>It's best to get 2 stamps ($5.60 each) and 2 tracking labels and accordingly paste them on your envelopes.Raj Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-72202355088371800472014-07-22T14:38:26.000-04:002014-07-22T14:38:26.000-04:00Hi Karthik,I had used USPS, 2 points to note1) You...Hi Karthik,<br><br>I had used USPS, <br><br>2 points to note<br><br>1) You can buy shipping from BLS, so they will send from courier [I do not recommend this due to the issues I faced]<br>2) Now days people are getting passports back with a week [my guess is they have restarted printing passports in the US missions/consulates]Shaunak Pandithttp://shaunakpandit.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-2678226116294050402014-07-22T14:36:45.000-04:002014-07-22T14:36:45.000-04:00Hi,Thank you :) They havent really clarified the s...Hi,<br><br>Thank you :) They havent really clarified the same but my gut feeling is they would require every page to be notarized if they are looking for the document.<br>Did you try your local bank/ office where you work? These guys usually give out free notarization, I had commented other options too please check that out,<br><br>Please note some people didnt get the stuff done from their banks, I had no issues with PNC.Shaunak Pandithttp://shaunakpandit.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-75077561271147180452014-07-22T14:33:17.000-04:002014-07-22T14:33:17.000-04:00No idea, I had done it in Post office as its right...No idea, I had done it in Post office as its right next to where I work :)Shaunak Pandithttp://shaunakpandit.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-72652412031207244642014-07-22T13:51:44.000-04:002014-07-22T13:51:44.000-04:00Hi Altaf,Please check the section/ comment about #...Hi Altaf,<br><br>Please check the section/ comment about # of photos required for the answer.Shaunak Pandithttp://shaunakpandit.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-55417194031930391742014-07-22T13:50:45.000-04:002014-07-22T13:50:45.000-04:00Thanks Raj for the updateThanks Raj for the updateShaunak Pandithttp://shaunakpandit.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-85583093144722621362014-07-22T13:48:42.000-04:002014-07-22T13:48:42.000-04:00Hi Vish,I think 1 week is a long time for you not ...Hi Vish,<br><br>I think 1 week is a long time for you not to get the passport back, I had received my passport from Chicago to Columbus in 3 days. Did you try the escalating with UPS if the system tracker is not showing anything correctly?<br>Also, try checking with UPS if they used your airway bill # to send it back, in my friends case they had sent through other courier while he was trying to track using the one he had sent.<br><br>Hope this helps<br><br>ShaunakShaunak Pandithttp://shaunakpandit.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-33000198848763270832014-07-21T22:41:15.000-04:002014-07-21T22:41:15.000-04:00Hi Shaunak, first of all, I really appreciate for ...Hi Shaunak, first of all, I really appreciate for your contribution and your valuable help.<br><br><br>Here is my situation. I applied for my son's passport renewal with BLS with NY office and below is the timeline:<br><br>I sent a pre-paid UPS envelope for returning my son's passport.<br><br><br>BLS Receipt Number => USANxxxxxxxxxx<br>Current Aplication Status : Dispatched via Courier<br>Application accepted by BLS:08-07-2014 , 15:49<br>Appliication Processed on Date : 08-07-2014<br>Application Processed and submitted to Consulate : 09-07-2014 , 16:20<br>Passport received at BLS Center : 15-07-2014 , 12:24<br>Passport handed over to Applicant : -<br>Passport Dispatched to Applicant :15-07-2014 , 12:24<br><br>On 15July, I got an automated email as follows (looks like this is automatically generated....or not sure how):<br><br>Dear xxxxx,<br>We have dispatched your passport through courier.Use your way bill number 1ZXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx to further track your passport on the courier company website.<br><br><br>It has been almost a week and there is no tracking on the UPS website. Not sure how long it is taking to actually receive the passports in hand.<br><br>VishVishnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-20679581650899525942014-07-21T22:36:31.000-04:002014-07-21T22:36:31.000-04:00Hi Prabhu,When did you receive your wife's pas...Hi Prabhu,<br><br>When did you receive your wife's passport?<br><br>VishVishnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-72476226929630864542014-07-21T19:33:11.000-04:002014-07-21T19:33:11.000-04:00Hi. That is exactly what I have done with priority...Hi. That is exactly what I have done with priority mails - folded one of them and put that it another. But remember to put a stamp for $5.60 on the return envelop and ask the usps personnel in the post office to paste a tracking number on it and scan it. Use that USPS tracking number as airway bill for return tracking. Did the same process for sending my address to NY consulate.een771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-26534137705315689312014-07-21T17:42:46.000-04:002014-07-21T17:42:46.000-04:00Hi Shaunak, Great effort compiling this info. Sure...Hi Shaunak,<br><br> Great effort compiling this info. Surely made my life a lot easier. I have a couple of issues I wonder if anyone faced:<br><br>1. I am not able to get a color copy of my visa notarized. The notary said it is illegal to notarize a color copy of passport/visa in the state of Illinois. Is this true? He is willing to notarize a black and white copy.<br>2. My marriage certificate is in Hindi. I got a notarized English translation in India but it does not have the photos as you would expect. The notary here is not able to notarize the hindi document becaue he doesnt understand it. So will a photocopy of the certificate along with a notarized copy of the translation work?<br><br> Probably unique issues but let me know if you can suggest anything. Not able to get hold of anyone in BLS or Chicago consulate at all despite trying for 5 days.<br><br>Thanks,<br>NeelNeelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-45007607890080804612014-07-20T21:37:52.000-04:002014-07-20T21:37:52.000-04:00I am using the ja_purity2 and have confined the te...I am using the ja_purity2 and have confined the template to the centre of the screen (much like the joomla website). Now I want to add a shadow on the left and right of the "confined" template/website but have no idea on how to do it.. Any help would be appreciated.. Thank You in advance..her explanationhttp://www.prograd.uff.br/novo/must-have-shoes-mens-clothing-coordinate-these-peoplenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-21200906271242503882014-07-20T13:38:10.000-04:002014-07-20T13:38:10.000-04:00Hi Shaunak. My passport did not have a last name a...Hi Shaunak. <br>My passport did not have a last name and my entire name was filled in the given name field. I am now applying for the name split.My passport has not expired. Now back to my question. Other than the 3 photos on the NVF and 1 photo on the application form. How many loose photos am I suppose to send? This is not mentioned clearly on the BLS website. I hope my question is clear this time. Appreciate your response. <br><br>Regards <br>AltafAltafnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-24051703102004589792014-07-20T13:36:17.000-04:002014-07-20T13:36:17.000-04:00Go to he post office and get 2 Priority Flat Rate ...Go to he post office and get 2 Priority Flat Rate envelops (what you already got). At the same time, ask for 2 stamp of $5.60 each and 2 tracking labels. When you are ready:<br><br>--- Envelope #1 to SEND to BLS with all documents and with folded Envelop# 2 inside (see below point). Stick one stamp & one tracking label. Enter the tracking number on the BLS website (In the "Application Type box - Postal" & Airway Bill #) and THIS tracking # will be printed on the BLS Order form.<br><br>--- Envelope # 2 is the Prepaid Delivery Envelop, which will be RETURNED to you. Stick the other stamp and tracking label (this tracking # also you enter on the BLS website where it says Prepaid Delivery & Airway Bill #). THIS tracking number does not get printed on the BLS Order form or anywhere else. THIS envelope needs to be folded in half and put in Envelope# 1. It will be returned to you with your new and old passport/s.Raj Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647211865888817751.post-49150160919137750172014-07-20T11:52:06.000-04:002014-07-20T11:52:06.000-04:00Hi altaf,Not sure what you mean by the name split?...Hi altaf,<br><br>Not sure what you mean by the name split? <br><br>3 NV forms if your passport hasn't expired yet, incase it has I guess they have more that needs to be submitted.<br><br>regarding photos, please check the section / comment where I have explained in detail on the photo and how I had sent it.Shaunak Pandithttp://shaunakpandit.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com