When you're dealing with any government agency I find it best to be prepared. Understand the…read moreprocess and what is needed, especially what docs you need to present. With AI technology quickly becoming more prevalent many government agencies are not allowing walk ins except for certain cases. You will be required to make an appointment. We found this to be true with the Consulate here. In the state of California there are only 2 locations. The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea can be found in San Francisco and Los Angeles. The San Francisco office also consuls over Colorado, Utah and Wyoming while the Los Angeles office includes Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. We needed to renew a Korean passport. After visiting the website we found the steps fairly easy to follow. For any other office it is best to check their own respective websites. The steps are not standard and can be entirely different. We made an online appointment through the 365 Overseas Korean Portal. The appointment was 1.5 weeks away. I thought it would be much further out but thankful for the shorter time. You then need to fill out their form and submit that. It's basic information and what it is you're trying to do. Simple. With that set we went through the steps again to make sure we had the proper documents needed. In this case your Korean passport a valid U.S. passport/Green Card/Visa. You also need your Driver's License and work permits. They wanted photo copies. Luckily they have a copy machine there for 25cents a copy. Not bad just remember to bring quarters. You will also need a passport size photo taken by a professional. This part use to erq me. If you don't have that, this consulate has a photo booth on the premises for you to take that photo. And it's free of charge. When you sit in the booth it tells you what to do. Tilt your head up, turn to the left, etc. It was great. This office only accepts cash, and had to be the exact amount. Found that strange. Not sure if that's true for all the others and is best to check those websites. The good thing is this office has a change machine. It's best to figure what fees you need to pay, and what the total is so you know what the exact amount is. We brought this with us and extra cash in case there would be something surprisingly we would have to pay for. That didn't happen. It also adivses to bring a self addressed express mail envelope for them to mail your passport . In our case, however, that option was not available.. How that was going to be handled would have to wait till the appointment. Right next to the consulate is a parking lot. It is not free unless you have an appointment with the consulate and you get your ticket validated. Fulfill those 2 requirements and your parking is free. If not be prepared to pop some twenties. Not sure if they give change. It is also important to note this office closes at noon to break for lunch. So, plan your visits accordingly or you could be waiting longer than you like. Our appointment was at 11:00 to 11:30. We got there at 11:11 on a Wednesday. Once you're in there you need to make the copies you need. We did. Get your photo. We did and it was actually fun. Then, you can take a number to be qued. There were 4 people before us not all were renewing passports. And only 2 tellers. The reviews talk badly about teller #2. She was not there. And they talked sweetly of number 7. He was not there either. When our number was called I was surprised we waited only 26 minutes. We presented our documents and stated what my wife needed. The agent started going through the paper work, clattering away filling in digital forms and documents and glancing at other references to ensure she was doing everything correctly. And in 9 minutes it was done. She said everything was good and needed to return on a specific date to pick up the passport. If we cannot pick it up that day, we could pick it up any other day they are open. We would not need to stand in line just go to the front teller to request it and it would be there. I guess the brown bag of food was not needed. This whole process may seem confusing and frustrating but in taking the time to review it was easier than expected. The steps\instructions were very clear. The copy machine, change machine and photo booth were big pluses. The agents were nice and pleasant. Why can't they all be like this?

If you are coming here please be over prepared. If you are assisting your elderly parents with…read moreSocial Security make sure they themselves have their korean documents ready and make copies of your id's passports and resident card. They have photo copy machine but it would cost 25 cents a page. Also make sure they know their korena social number or ID and fmaily name including their mother and father id information. They are friendly but not as helpful. Def felt like I landed in korea. If your korean ain't the best good luck lol. All the paperwork they give you will be in korean. If you need a american version for your document go to thr website and print it out and they will notarize it for you. It's a hassle trust me. Be prepared if you dnt want to do multiple trips. Parking is free w validation. It's right n3dt door behind the gas station. They make u go to different ppl for different things. Good luck.

The Santa Ana Mex. Consulate is a better option than the L.A. Mex. Consulate. Their staff is…read morefriendly overall. However, they fail to inform you about your payment options when making an appointment so consider taking cash because they ONLY accept cash payments. Estimated service time for passport or passport renewals with appointments is about 1hr and 30min but could be more.

I tried on the website to make an appt for REGISTRO CIVIL and that option didn't show up anywhere…read moreso I ultimately chose Pasaporte, Matrícula Consular, e INE vía whatsapp (which also didn't have the option). I showed up early to my appointment and explained to the man that their website/whatsapp chat doesn't give the option to select Registro Civil and he rudely told me I shouldn't have selected pasaporte because I'm taking that opportunity away from someone else even though when I booked the appointment there were soooooo many times and days to choose from. He highlighted the paper that says to make an appointment on their website and I said again that their website doesn't let you select Registro Civil. I ended up having to call and the person told me I need to go to Los Angeles consulate because Santa Ana doesn't have anything or doesn't do it? Idk don't go here. They're miserable.

I just want to share my experience…read more.. My daughters and I went to the Philippines Consulate today for renewal of their passports and it was the best experience! It was fast,easy and they were all really friendly staff that ranks way beyond our expectations that I hear from others, and In less than an hour we were out! We are grateful for their reliability!

I am writing this to express my deep frustration with the Philippine Consulate General…read more Yesterday, I accompanied my sister-in-law to her 9:30 AM dual citizenship appointment. The staff working the windows were extremely rude, unprofessional, and acted like they were superior while treating applicants like nobody. To make matters worse, staff members were literally eating at the window while attending to people. Her application was checked and verified at the counter, payment was collected, and she was instructed to wait for the oath-taking ceremony scheduled before noon. After waiting for two and a half hours, her name was finally called at noon for the oath, only for them to inform her that her birth certificate was missing her parents' details. They halted the process on the spot. Despite this being a clear oversight during their initial verification, they refused to give her a refund. The initial review is supposed to catch basic document issues before taking an applicant's money and wasting their time. Combining this level of incompetence with condescending attitudes and unprofessional behavior is completely unacceptable.

Came early in the morning at 8:40 AM. Make sure to read the signs because there are two lines. I…read morewaited in the wrong line and wasted 25 minutes. 1. One line to wait for drop offs for the passport. 2. One line for picking up the visas. Also, make sure to print out everything that you need or else you will have to pay $3 per paper to print out the paper. Once you are in line, you get a paper for a queue ticket. It took me 1 hour of waiting to finally get to the front to drip off my passport and that's it. Parking: You can park for free at the park close by!

Update for 2026: child with US Passport applying for Chinese visa. If one of the parents listed on…read morechild's birth certificate shows birthplace as TAIWAN don't bother applying. You need to change it to CHINA . I'm telling you here because they wouldn't tell you over the online application and their phone number never goes thru! ---------------- US passport applying for Chinese visa. Arrived on a Friday 10:30 (77 people ahead!!) and served until 1:34pm. Service was quick once you are at the counter. They have 1-3 windows serving the B numbers. Morning was slow. Speed picked up after lunch. Be prepared to bring photocopies of: 1. application papers (signed and dated); fill out Chinese name if applicable. Fill out profession, job title, and duty. 2. US Passport (naturalized Chinese- bring photocopy of naturalization paper) 3. Driver License 4. Expired visa, if applicable They take your actual passport. Processing time 3 business days. If not, CASH for $3 for email copy or 0.50 cents at the tourist company next door.

Outstanding!…read more Although I faced difficulties booking my appointment online for several weeks, it was a breeze once I spoke to them over the phone and they explained the necessary steps. Finally, after successfully renewing my passport, checking in, and being served promptly, I had a wonderful experience. Everyone was incredibly friendly, and the time it took to enter and exit was incredibly quick. They also informed me that I can now obtain dual citizenship without the approval of the German government. Vielen lieben Dank, Martina!

After trying to get a Schengen visa at the Italian consulate for almost TWO MONTHS, going there…read moreonce, getting the WORST possible customer service from absolute jerks working at the Italian consulate, and then trying to unsuccessfully schedule a follow-up appointment on their completely useless website, we finally gave up, and decided that if Italy doesn't want tourists, then we don't want to go to Italy. Instead decided to go to Germany. The application process at their BLS Services visa center was flawless! We scheduled an appointment online for the next morning. Brought all documents, some were missing, but the lady looked thru every single item, corrected and reprinted the application, redone the photo, and helped to prepare the package as needed. The same day, the package was at the consulate. LESS than a week later, we got an email that the passport is ready for pick up. We drove to LA, picked up the passport without waiting, and now packing our bags to go to Germany! What a difference! Don't waste your time on rude, obnoxious, classless clowns at the Italian Consulate, not worth the stress. Go to where people mean business and actually want you to visit their country!

It's so silly you can't "check in" at the lobby until 5 minutes before your appointment…read more So by then, you actually end up waiting in line with other people that was assigned the same appointment time as you. We all know parking in LA is a nightmare, but I still have to say their garage parking rate at $5 for every 10 minutes - again, if you arrive too early, the clock is ticking on your parking fees that you have zero control over! With a daily maximum of $46, it's straight out robbery. And the fact they provide no validation parking for people who are basically forced to come here; it's not like we want to come here for fun. So don't even think about parking here if you need to fill out an application. I knew this beforehand, so I decided to walk miles here instead. I also did the application online for more convenience (not having to visit this place twice), but their integration with their app can also be confusing and finicky to use. Once you tell the lobby receptionist your purpose of visit/show ID, they will give you a sticker to put on yourself, and then security will escort you to the elevator. The office is on the 17th floor. You go through security again to enter the office and grab a ticket number to be called. Luckily, this part went smoothly (as long as you followed their requirements on what to bring) Picking up passport for me was $106. I honestly wish they would have more convenient locations to pick it up because I hate driving down to traffic-ghetto-price-gouging LA and deal with the parking and all the hassles included.

Make sure everything is in a folder together. You watch from the door way a security guard dropping…read moreoff your stuff in this random box. You check in at the lobby they ask for your ID AND you tell them drop off. Then you go up and you literally drop off your stuff. No one to greet you but a security guard. I don't even know what stars to give. Just wanted to inform.

Worst experience ever the way they use the Logistics of time to process documents is so bad. Not…read moreeven sure why they give u an appointment if they don't even. Follow the time appropriate my appointment was at 10:30 am and didn't leave the office till 3:30 Don't even try talking to the Consulate cause her answer was that she is overwhelmed and over worked she process over 500 applications a day all by herself. She doesn't even want to listen to your complaints because she already has her answer on auto answer. Then her staff agreed and smile that talking to her is a waste of time. It goes thru one ear and comes out another. Norma Aguilar needs help

I had an amazing experience, not sure why there's so many negative reviews. If you have an…read moreappointment everything will go smoothly! Got my Mexican passport that same day with a 3 hour wait time.

8 times ive come for an appointment and they don't know how to service their own people.read more

Después de haber visitado el consulado Mexicano de Los Ángeles, (dónde por cierto el personal es…read morebastante impaciente y poco amable) y no haber podido solucionar mi situación, hice cita en el consulado de san Bernardino donde me atendió un joven de nombre Axel Martínez. Axel, fue atento, cordial y mostró un genuino interés en solucionar mi situación. En todos los consulados deberían de tener personal capacitado y con la calidez y servicio al cliente como la que mostró Axel Martínez. Muchísimas gracias Axel por tu entrega y profesionalismo Atte: María D. Palafox Avila.

Way better experience than Fresno Consulate…read more This place was quick and the process would not have been easier. You make the appointment online or through the phone. They have a link with what you will need. You show up, let them know what you're there for they check the documents and you go inside. Inside you wait in line again and they check everything, now you just wait for the passport and matricula which they hand you that same day. Quick and easy. Some employees are extremely rude specifically the lady working at the INE check in. She was arguing with everyone for no reason. Telling people to send their money to their family in Mexico, and idk what else she was going on about. Anyways besides her everyone else was really helpful and guided us through the process very quickly. I think I spent a total of 3 hours there but it was for 3 people. Huge plus that they hand you the documents right then and there that way you don't have to wait for them in the mail.

I had an appt on 6/6/25. Somehow I ended up scheduling the wrong type of appt but I was able to see…read morea rep to explain what documents I need to proceed. With all the bad reviews I was a bit nervous, but I had a great experience. The people here were very pleasant. Yunuen and Maritza were exceptional, very polite and professional, I thank them both for their service. Salvador who was at the front counter, was also very pleasant and polite. Empleadas Yunuen y Maritza son dos empleadas excepsional, Profesionales y placer haberme tocado con ellas. El Señor Salvador también fue muy paciente y profesional con mi esposo que también necesitaba asistencia.