United States Postal Service — Attraction in Elk Grove

This review is for passports...

Loved the service!

You have to understand...there are only 2 people working here. People come in with a ton of problems and also without passport photos so they have to take them. For those that are waiting, it feels like an eternity. When you get up there, you finally understand why. They are very thorough and make sure that when they submit your documents, it doesn't get sent back. They are very patient with us and our kids. We were the last tickets.

We did not wait there the whole time. They average 3- 4 tickets per hour. But check in at least every 1-2 hours if you are the 10th ticket or after to gage their speed. I got super lucky and got a ticket after 11am. The only 1 left.

After I got the ticket, I went home, did my family's applications, gathered our necessary paperwork (proof of citizenship... i.e. birth certificates), and went to take passport photos. Checked at 3 to see what number they were on. Then left to charge my car, get food to eat, and then came back after 4. Then we ate and rested in the car until it was time for us because we didn't want to find something else to do again. I went in to wait at 5:30 and called my family in around 6:15.

They got done with everyone else before us at 6:30 when they close and they still called us in. Nicest people ever!

MONITOR THE TIME and use it to do other things to prepare or grab a bite to eat. You have a ticket so a place in line. Don't just wait there. Then you hate them for you not choosing to use your time wisely.

You do have to get there early to get a ticket because they only give out 30 tickets a day. So get there before 8:00 if you want to be sure to get one when they give out tickets at 10:30. Don't count on luck like me. People told me they were there at 5am when I asked what time they were...

This review is for the passport sector of this post office.

My recommendation: get there before 5:00am if you are a walk-in/non-appt. Have all your certificates/documents in a folder with you, and have your passport application already completed in BLACK INK ONLY. They don’t accept application copies, only the original application paper which you can get inside the office itself (it has gold coloring). I’d advise having your photos already taken and brought with you. Bring lawn chairs to sit on, and warm clothes.

This is the only office I know of that takes walk-ins, as appointments in almost every USPS in NorCal is booked weeks (possibly months) in advanced. Mentally prepare yourself, and come on a day off as it will take several hours.

08/01/22 Monday.

My sister and I left the house at 4:45am and got there shortly before 5:00am. We live in Elk Grove. There were 3 people ahead of us. Some people are coming from Stockton, Bay Area, etc (so plan accordingly). Johnny, one of the only two employees at their office started handing out tickets at 10:30am (opening).

I’d estimate at least 20ish people received tickets, and there’s not really any guarantee that everyone will be seen, since they prioritize those with appointments first. A clipboard was passed around after tickets were dispersed, so applicants can note their name and phone number once it’s time to be called in.

I was called in around 11:45-11:50ish, and officially finished at 12:00pm. Alvin reviewed our paperwork and submitted our documents. They accept CHECK, MONEY ORDER, and DEBIT CARD as payment. 7 hours total, and we were part of the first 5 people in line.

Shout out to Johnny and Alvin for their patience! They process hundreds of applicants a day. Come prepared so the process is quicker and easier for...

Passport: Mon. Jan. 27, 2025: After receiving word that a close relative had passed away the night before, I took the day off work to see about getting my passport so I could attend the funeral abroad. I learned that applying for a passport required an in person visit to an authorized site. The earliest I could get an appointment was the following month so I opted for a walk-in visit.

I went to this Post Office in Elk Grove, arrived around 12:30pm and was told that I would be the last walk-in they would accept for the day. I wrote my name on a clipboard, was issued a number and waited patiently for the next 5.5 hours.

At 6:00PM an Asian male employee/clerk came from behind a black screen room divider, counted the remaining persons needing to be seen, (there were three including myself) confirmed the names of those seated then turned to me and said sorry he couldn't see me.

I explained that I took the day off, drove a distance, signed his clipboard and waited patiently based on what "he had told me when I arrived." He simply said he was sorry and that by the time he finished with the two other patrons it would be time for him to close because he had money to count.

I share this horrific experience because I have a platform to do so. I trust that the decision makers at this location will create policy that calls for this Asian Male Clerk, and any other employee that exhibits such callousness towards its patrons, to be a little more professionally accommodating in the future.

The few minutes it would have taken to simply honor his word would have resulted in a few hundred dollars added to days deposits and a more favorable review.

"Customer Service" still has value, even in these...