With many Western New Yorkers having trouble getting passports for their upcoming trips, I created this page to answer your questions and clear up confusion over passport requirements.

        Like many Western New Yorkers, I have strong concerns regarding the new changes in passport rules. I will continue to push to make sure any new requirements do not burden local families or our local economy.

        I hope you find this information useful as you make your travel plans, and as always please feel free to call my office with any questions.

                         Sincerely,

Here is what you need to know:

• Since January 23, 2007, all citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean have been required to present a valid passport when entering the United States at any airport.

• Due to longer than expected processing times for passport applications in the face of record-breaking demand, the federal government is making an accommodation for air travel.

• 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 from the United States by air with a government issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport through Sept. 30, 2007.

What will be acceptable proof of application for a passport?

• A print-out of the online status check accessed at http://travel.state.gov/passport, showing an application has been received by the Department of State.

Need more information:

• On the web - Travelers who have applied for passports should monitor the status of the application online at http://travel.state.gov/passport

• By phone - If a customer is within two weeks of travel and the website does not show that the passport is completed, travelers should call the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) at 1-877-487-2778

Checklist:

Checklist for getting the necessary documents to travel by air to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda in the next six months:

♦  Submit an application for a passport at one of over a hundred sites in Western New York (Go to http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/ to find the site closest to you)

♦  Go to https://passportstatus.state.gov/opss/OPSS_Status_i.asp to check the status of your passport request

♦  After clicking submit, then print out passport application proof.

♦  Bring a copy of your passport application proof and a government issued identification to the airport (NOTE: Be prepared for extra security screening if you travel using this method.)

Any questions please do not hesitate to contact my district offices:

• Greece at 585-663-5570
• Williamsville at 716-634-2324