Passport update:
I just got a message from Fedex, informing me that a package will be delivered tomorrow that requires a signature. It was sent from San Francisco, which is the location of the consulate to which I sent my application. Since I don't normally get such deliveries, and the fact that the passport status portal says it was dispatched last week, I think it's safe to assume it is my Irish passport.
This answers a question I posed recently. I was wondering if the passport is sent directly from Dublin when issued, or if it was returned via the embassy/consulate where the application was originally sent. Anyway, here is my timeline:
Application received by consulate: 22-August 2018
Status from
passport tracking portal:
- Application received in Dublin: 08-October 2018
- Estimated issue date: 12-November 2018
- Passport printed: 22-October 2018
- Passport dispatched: 22-October 2018 (returned to San Francisco consulate)
Passport received: 01-November 2018
So, roughly 10 1/2 weeks from mailing of application to receipt. At least that's better than the 12-16 weeks the consulate said it might take.