Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Passport Issues

Application processing at the U.S. Passport Services Office is now back on track.  Routine applications are taking about four to six weeks to process, with expedited applications being processed in about 3 weeks.

Passport applications had been delayed, largely due to new air travel rules under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) that require passports for entry into the United States by plane from Canada, Bermuda, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.  With updated systems and hundreds of new employees, U.S. Passport Service expects to be able to continue the shorter processing times, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Please note that starting JANUARY 31, 2008 for land and sea travel between WHTI countries,U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present either a WHTI-compliant document such as a passport, OR a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, AND proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.  The U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security have also identified unique circumstances for specific groups of travelers, such as children, that warrant permitting the use of alternative documents.  At a later date to be determined, the departments will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of the WHTI.
 
For travelers whose passport applications are already pending and are at risk of missing departures, my office may be able to help.  If it is within 10 days of your scheduled departure and you have not been able to get through to the National Passport Information Center, please contact my district office at (315) 423-5657.  My staff will attempt to expedite the application.  While my staff will do their best to facilitate the process, success is not guaranteed.  Travelers may still need to pay the additional expedite fee if they did not do so at the time of application.

For further information travelers are encouraged to visit http://travel.state.gov/passport for the most up to date information.  Travelers with pending applications not departing within 10 days should check the status of their applications online at http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html, or contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) at 1-877-687-2778.

When planning a trip, I recommend applying for passports well in advance.  Again, please remember routine processing is currently taking approximately four to six weeks and expedited service is taking about three weeks. These time frames may change and do not account for delivery.  Passports are sent via USPS Priority Mail. Applicants may choose to pay for overnight delivery.