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A month ago I ordered my very first US pass port from USPS. I just became a citizen in April. I paid $110.00 to The department of state, and $25.00 to USPS (the $25.00 is the processing fee ).
2 weeks later I ordered a new pass port for my son who's passport expired last year. Well, his pass port fees cleared within a week, both of them. My $110.00 to the d.o.s, cleared but never the $25.00 processing fee to USPS.
I paid with checks since they only accept checks or money orders and not credit/debit ). I went to the same post office.
I am going to call them tomorrow and find out why it is taking so long. The fact that I received my passport today, before all the fees cleared is kind of odd.
This also made me remember something that happened 5 years ago. I wrote 2 checks to a company and those checks never cleared either. I never gave them a call because I figured it's their responsibility to cash the checks I gave them. They never did. I still today have the same bank and account number but nothing.
So, I'm curious, how common is this?
By the way, why are places such as USPS or other government agency's still using checks anyways.
I walked into the post office instead and talked to them. One lady remembered a check found on floor for 25 dollars and believed it was thrown away. That was a couple of weeks ago now. Oh well.
This is why I would've opt to get a Money Order.....I hate having checks float out there for that long, especially when I do everything electronic and loath having to keep a Check Register. My Rent which I pay via my banks Bill Pay is deducted from my Checking account on the date my Landlord is scheduled to receive the Check. This way the funds are accounted for and my LL can take his sweet time depositing the check, its of no consequence to me.
I walked into the post office instead and talked to them. One lady remembered a check found on floor for 25 dollars and believed it was thrown away. That was a couple of weeks ago now. Oh well.
I'm gobsmacked that no effort was made to find the owner of the check. (My checks have my name and address on them) Especially in view of the fact that it had to be made out to the entity expediting the issuance of a passport!
Call your bank. Ask how old a check must be when they will no longer honor it. (Some banks say six months, some a year.)Then keep your register open for that length of time. If not cashed by then, add it back. If you get a call asking for payment of the fee, explain the situation, and if you must, write a new check.
Congratulations on your citizenship.
As to why government agencies are still using checks (and money orders), perhaps because there are still people who don't have internet, credit/debit cards, or even bank accounts.
I'm gobsmacked that no effort was made to find the owner of the check. (My checks have my name and address on them) Especially in view of the fact that it had to be made out to the entity expediting the issuance of a passport!
Call your bank. Ask how old a check must be when they will no longer honor it. (Some banks say six months, some a year.)Then keep your register open for that length of time. If not cashed by then, add it back. If you get a call asking for payment of the fee, explain the situation, and if you must, write a new check.
Congratulations on your citizenship.
As to why government agencies are still using checks (and money orders), perhaps because there are still people who don't have internet, credit/debit cards, or even bank accounts.
A month ago I ordered my very first US pass port from USPS. I just became a citizen in April. I paid $110.00 to The department of state, and $25.00 to USPS (the $25.00 is the processing fee ).
2 weeks later I ordered a new pass port for my son who's passport expired last year. Well, his pass port fees cleared within a week, both of them. My $110.00 to the d.o.s, cleared but never the $25.00 processing fee to USPS.
I paid with checks since they only accept checks or money orders and not credit/debit ). I went to the same post office.
I am going to call them tomorrow and find out why it is taking so long. The fact that I received my passport today, before all the fees cleared is kind of odd.
This also made me remember something that happened 5 years ago. I wrote 2 checks to a company and those checks never cleared either. I never gave them a call because I figured it's their responsibility to cash the checks I gave them. They never did. I still today have the same bank and account number but nothing.
So, I'm curious, how common is this?
By the way, why are places such as USPS or other government agency's still using checks anyways.
I don't even use USPS anymore. I have to sent time-sensitive wet signature stuff fairly frequently and liked using USPS because it was a bit cheaper than UPS or FedEx. Their flat-rate packaging is good (prevents wrinkling were as your standard 9x12 envelope won't). The problem is about 10% of the stuff they just drop the ball on, so now I just pay the extra $2-3 and ship UPS.
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