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Passport Problems
This page is here to help constituents of Maryland's 5th District who are having trouble with applying for, or receiving a Passport from the US Department of State. You can view the status of your Passport Request here and if you are still having problems acquiring a Passport please contact the correct office for your county and the staff there will be glad to assist you.
District Offices
The Greenbelt District Office serves: Prince George's, Anne Arundel and Calvert Counties.
The Waldorf District Office serves: Charles and St. Mary's Counties.
View the status of your Passport Request
Click here to check the status of your passport request with the State Department, or here to vist the State Department's main Passports Page.
Department of State and Department of Homeland Security Announcement for U.S. Citizens Traveling Within the Western Hemisphere
I’m Maura Harty, Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs.
I want to tell you about an important adjustment we are announcing today concerning travel by Americans to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.
As most of you know, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) was mandated by Congress to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for citizens and legitimate international visitors. In part, the law required American citizens to have passports for re-entry into the U.S. from Canada, Mexico the Caribbean and Bermuda. WHTI requirements for air travel took effect on January 23, 2007.
In the last few months we’ve faced a record-breaking demand for passports as Americans have worked to comply with the law. This increase in requests – over and beyond even the enormous demand we anticipated – has resulted in longer than expected processing times for passport applications. We recognize that this has caused a hardship for some Americans.
In light of the current situation, we announced today that from now through September 30, 2007, U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda who have applied for, but not yet received, passports can temporarily enter and depart the United States by air without a passport. To do so, U.S. citizens MUST HAVE a government issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport.
Adults who have applied for, but not yet received, a passport should present government-issued photo identification and an official proof of application from the U.S. Department of State. Children under the age of 16 traveling with their parents or legal guardian will be permitted to travel with the child’s proof of application. Travelers who have not applied for a passport should not expect to be accommodated under this initiative. U.S. citizens with pending passport applications can obtain proof of application at: www.travel.state.gov. A list of Frequently Asked Questions and their answers is available at the same internet site.
This accommodation does not affect entry requirements to other countries (including Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America). Americans traveling to a country that requires passports must still present those documents.
We’re committed to providing high-quality service to American citizens, as U.S. Consular Officers have done since 1780. We hope this flexibility will accommodate American citizens’ travel needs, even as we continue to improve the security of our travel documents. Thank you.
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