This past summer, a surge in the number of passport applications being received by the State Department’s Passport Agencies led to delays in application processing times. Right now, the State Department advises me that processing time has returned to normal now that the peak travel season has passed. But, because the unforeseen and unprecedented volume of applications led to great deal of frustration among many travelers who booked trips prior to securing a passport, the State Department is now urging U.S. citizens planning foreign travel in 2008 to apply for a passport as soon as possible. Another surge in applications is expected as a result of the implementation of the land and sea measures of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which take effect January 31, 2008. Enacted by Congress in 2004, WHTI will require U.S. travelers re-entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda via land, sea or air to present a valid passport.
Fortunately, I can help if you are having trouble obtaining your passport, and the day you’re planning on traveling is approaching quickly. Before contacting me, please read the following information to determine the best way for you to proceed.
If you have international travel plans within the next year and have not yet applied for a passport, do so as soon as possible. According to the Department of State, routine passport service is currently taking about four-to-six weeks for applicants to receive passports. Expedited passport service is taking about three weeks. Keep in mind that increased volumes of applications could cause further delays in processing time, and anyone planning on international travel within the next year should apply as soon as possible. The Department of State has a searchable database of passport application acceptance facilities here: http://iafdb.travel.state.gov.
If you have already applied for a passport, you may track your application status here: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html. Due to the high volume of applications, it currently takes 7-10 days for the Department of State to post application status online.
If you have international travel plans within the next two weeks, call the National Passport Information Center. The NPIC can help individuals with imminent travel plans by checking the status of their application, requesting to expedite processing and/or scheduling an appointment with a Regional Passport Agency. The toll-free number is 1-877-487-2778 or 1-888-874-7793 for the hearing impaired. Automated lines are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The NPIC says the best time to call is between 8:30 p.m. and 9 a.m., Eastern Time. More information can be found here: http://travel.state.gov/passport/about/npic/npic_898.html.
If you are unsuccessful in reaching a customer service representative at the National Passport Information Center and are facing imminent departure, contact Congressman Ehlers’ district office. I may be able to assist you in obtaining a passport if one is urgently needed. My district office can be reached at 616-451-8383. We may only assist residents of Michigan’s Third Congressional District.
Please be aware that these accommodations only apply to the return trip to the United States. Foreign governments may require a valid passport or certified proof of U.S. citizenship (i.e. U.S. birth certificate, Naturalization Certificate/Certificate of Citizenship) and picture ID to enter. Many Caribbean nations require passports for entry. For a listing of foreign entry requirements and foreign embassy contact information, refer to the State Department’s webpage: http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html Additional country specific information for Caribbean travel can be found in the following State Department publication: Tips for Travelers to the Caribbean: http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1171.html.
The Department of State attributes the recent backlog to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which was mandated by Congress in 2004. It requires all travelers entering the United States via air to present a valid passport to enter the country. Travel document security has become a top priority for the United States since the attacks of September 11, 2001. The strengthening of travel document requirements will help secure our borders from terrorists and reduce instances of fraud. Requiring passports for border crossings is also expected to speed up procedures at entry points.
For all other travel needs, visit http://travel.state.gov for the latest information, including travel warnings. The latest travel warnings are available here: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html.
