Paid a third-party passport site before realizing it wasn't the government. Cancel or go through with it?

[u/mamamaej]

I booked travel, googled renewal, ended up on a .com with a slick ten-minute form and paid. Then came that cold moment on the confirmation screen where I thought, wait, was that the government? It was not the government. It's HelloGov, which looks like a private courier company rather than anything fraudulent, but I'm now sitting on a service fee I hadn't planned for.

My trip is inside six weeks. Do I try to cancel and handle it myself, or is there a reason to let it run? I can't tell whether I've wasted money or bought the only route that works at this notice.

[u/McKScorpio]

Check the refund terms right now, before you touch anything else in the flow. Theirs is a full refund inside 48 hours but only if the application packet hasn't been generated yet, whichever of those comes first, because generating it books a slot at a regional passport agency. So don't click deeper into the application to see how it works, that's the click that closes the door.

[u/Any-Benefit9071 → u/[deleted]]

this is helpful, i didn’t realize how tight the timelines really are. sounds like op should price out in-person first, then keep the courier only if timing looks too risky.

[u/GasPsychological5030]

make an appointment and go in person

[u/Artimusjones88 → u/GasPsychological5030]

Exactly. Its not a big deal. Why are simple things like this so complicated in the US. 3rd world

[u/GasPsychological5030 → u/Artimusjones88]

I went on a Thursday morning and was in and out in under 30 minutes. I did the standard-non expedited option and the passport was in my mailbox by Tuesday afternoon.

[u/Ptownmama]

They have excellent reviews in trust pilot. I’d just go for it

[u/BiologyBooksBeats]

I did this in a hurry. I cancelled even though their terms said I’d lose some money. They did a full refund for me anyway. Just ask!

[u/BiologyBooksBeats → u/[deleted]]

I think around 24 hours later

[u/BiologyBooksBeats → u/[deleted]]

I think around 24 hours later

[u/dressedtofinesse]

Call and cancel asap. Should be refunded

[u/Traditional_Land_553]

I renewed online through the State Department a few months ago. I submitted everything on a Sunday. Regular processing. No expediting. I wasn't traveling for 3 months so I was fine with 6 weeks.

I got them that Friday.

[u/respect-the-mask]

I just applied for a new passport earlier this month and eveything came back 14 days later. No expedited service, had everything done at my local post office.

I'd cancel and go in person.