What can I do besides taking in Macbook to remove firmware password? I have a MacBook Pro w/ Retina (2012 I believe) which has a firmware password which I don't know. Since it is a retina I can't use the remove RAM trick. If I go to reformat and reinstall the MBP will the firmware password be removed?
Your only option is to visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) or one of their Genius Bars.  The process to bypass a firmware lock changed a few years ago and now requires that a certified technician (ACMT) contact Apple with the Mac's information, which Apple will then process and use to remove the firmware lock.

You can find a list of AASPs using Apple's locate tool, https://locate.apple.com. Select the service option and search for a provider in your location.

Even with older Macs, where the firmware password could be bypassed by changing the RAM configuration and resetting the PRAM, the firmware lock would persist after wiping the hard drive and re-installing the OS.  This behavior still exists today.