Passport Application Delays

Updated: Wednesday, May 23, 2007

New federal regulations took effect in January that require U.S. citizens to have a valid passport for travel to Canada, Mexico, Jamaica and other Caribbean countries. The changes are necessary to make our country more secure, but they have made it more difficult for Americans to travel abroad and have created an unprecedented demand for passports.

Nationwide there are 8,000 locations where a passport application can be submitted. However, all applications are processed at one of 13 passport agencies. Most Oklahomans’ passports are processed at the facility in Houston, which is reporting a backlog of 90,000 applications. I have called on the State Department to open a processing center in Oklahoma to help reduce the backlog.

If you are experiencing delays with your passport my office is available to assist you. Please contact my Claremore office at 918-341-9336.

Visit the State Department’s web site for the most current information: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html