Applying for U.S. passport by mail

Has anyone done this?  I swear that you are supposed to sign the back of your photos, but it only says on the website not to sing the back until the person processing your form says to.  Since I am applying my mail, that doesnt apply, but ugh. 

When I try to call the number the phone just gets disconnected because they are so busy with the Canada issue. 

Also, I stapled on of the photos on the form, do I just leave the other one loose in the envelope?  I am minorly freaking out because I just got home from doing Bunac and I am trying to plan a wedding (for April)/get passports/visa/student loans all set up. 

I might be thinking about Bunac though, we had to sign the back of the photos for that. 

Please help, thanks!!

Don't know if there's a reason you need to apply by mail as opposed to going in the local passport office.  All I know is I went in to order mine and it was super easy, even got it within a few days.  Good luck.

Things are madness in passport office in my hometown.  It is now taking about 3 weeks to get a passport if you expedite, at least according to the website and the message on the phone system. 

I need to figure out which of the smaller post offices do passports in my area, the ones where no one ever goes so they are grateful for a phone call.

If you're near to London you can renew in person.  I did that when we got an appointment to get my daughter's passport.

Are you in the UK or US? 

We did just what Matt said when wife's passport expired, and when I needed new blank pages.  You can also mail your passport by Royal Mail Special Delivery to the US Embassy in London.  It only took about 10 days. I've never heard of having to sign the back of your photos.   I don't think that is necessary.

I am back in the U.S. until after the wedding on April 15th.  I mailed off my application, but no one anywhere could tell me what I was supposed to do with the second photo.  I am sure it will be fine, at least I hope so.

Thanks everyone!

I was told that adults can't renew in person. I talked to a very nice man at the Embassy in January of this year and he said that all adults have to do it by mail.

It was unbelieveably quick too. I was told that it would take up to 15 workings, it took about 8. I was getting worried because I had left it to the last minute.

Considering that I mailed it to London, it went to the states, then back to London and then to me, it was good.

Carol

If you're near to London you can renew in person.  I did that when we got an appointment to get my daughter's passport.

Now that you mention it, I was only able to renew my passport at the embassy because I was applying for a first passport for my daughter, which must be applied for in person.  I supposed they were happy to let me apply as we were already there and they had to send her information to the States anyway.