  Passports are obtained through the Passport Services Division of the Department of State. You can apply for a new passport, renew your old one, or do other things like replace a lost, stolen, or damaged passport, or add new pages to your existing book. Where do I apply?You can apply for a new passport or conduct other business through a passport acceptance facility, which is often your local post office. Here`s everything you need to know if you`re traveling soon and haven`t received your passport.Quick Links: What is the "Temporary Travel Accommodation"?
The country I`m traveling to requires a passport. Can Heather Wilson help me?
How long will it take to get my passport?
Read articles about the Passport Pinch.
Do I need a Birth Certificate?
How do I get a refund for my Expedite Fee?
Fact Sheet from the U.S. State Department.
Fact Sheet from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Temporary travel accommodationThe following is adapted from the U.S. State Department website.
The U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security announced Friday, June 8th that U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region, who have applied for, but not yet received passports, can re-enter the United States by air. This accommodation does not mean that Americans are exempt from meeting the entry requirements of Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region. Entry requirements for those countries remain in effect. Americans traveling to those countries must verify the specific entry requirements for that country before departure. To access entry requirements for all countries, see the State Department`s Consular Information Sheets
U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region who have applied for, but not yet received passports, can re-enter the United States by air by presentation of a government issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport through September 30, 2007. The federal government is making this accommodation for air travel due to longer than expected processing times for passport applications in the face of record-breaking demand.
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 status. Children traveling alone should carry a copy of their birth certificate, baptismal record or a hospital record of birth in the United States in addition to their passport application status documentation. This accommodation applies to all American citizens who apply for passports, until September 30, when this accommodation period ends. U.S. citizens with pending passport applications can obtain proof of application at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html.
Since implementation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has and will continue to exercise its current authorities in unique circumstances to allow individuals subject to the WHTI requirements into the United States based on other evidence of identity and citizenship.
Travel document security remains a top priority for the U.S. Government. Both the 9/11 Commission and the U.S. Congress urged strengthening of travel documents to prevent entry of terrorists across our borders, reduce use of fraudulent documents, and speed up entry procedures.
I have a Passport Problem. Can Rep. Heather Wilson help me? If you`re traveling within 2 weeks to a country that requires a passport and you still haven`t received your passport, call Rep. Wilson`s office at 505-346-6781 for more information. If you decide to ask Rep. Wilson for help, you`ll need to fill out a privacy release and fax it to 505-346-6723. Please include an explanation of the problem you`re facing, and don`t forget to sign the privacy release.
Here’s what we need to help you with your passport problem:
Your contact information
Full names of the people traveling
DOB
Social Security Number
Date of departure
Location of Travel
Locator number (if you have it)
You need to sign your request and fax it to 505-346-6723.
*Note: If you seek assistance from one of your federal Representatives, whether it`s Rep. Wilson or one of your two U.S. Senators, it`s best to stick with one of them. Involving more than one Congressional office will not further expedite your passport application, and may actually cause a further delay.
How long will it take to get my passport?Note that the processing times below are different than the times listed on the Passport Agency`s own website. Based on our office`s experience, the timeframes listed here are more realistic. Routine Applications are taking 12 to 14 weeks at a minimum.
Expedited applications are taking 3 to 4 weeks.
Status check: If you`ve already applied for your passport, check the status here. Please note that this State Department tracking system has worked sporadically for New Mexicans.
Why is it taking so long?Passport applications are taking much longer to process this year because of increased demand. Certain rules-changes have sparked an increase in passport requests. Also, passport applications always spike this time of year because many people are preparing for Summer vacations.
Plan your trip carefully, based on the timelines above. If you’re traveling to Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean AFTER October 1, 2007, remember that the new passport rules will then be back in effect. You will need a passport to travel at that time, so plan accordingly.
Articles about the recent Passport Pinch
Read the Albuquerque Journal`s article, 5/17/07: "Fliers Ready, Passports Aren`t".
Read the Albuquerque Tribune`s article, 5/17/07: "Travelers panicked by passport delays".
Read Rep. Wilson`s letter to the U.S. State Department about passport delays.
Read the Albuquerque Journal`s Op-Ed, 5/18/07: "Forget Bald Eagles, Just Give us Passports".
Read Rep. Wilson`s letter to U.S. Airline CEO`s about passport delays.
 Important note from Rep. Wilson’s casework staff:You will still need a birth certificate to travel to Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean Islands. The country of Bahamas requires you to have a passport, regardless of U.S. Government requirements.
Even though you no longer need a passport to travel to Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean, you will likely still need proof of citizenship. That means a birth certificate, or naturalization papers if you are a naturalized citizen.
I don’t need my passport, so why do I need my birth certificate?
The passport accommodation does not affect entry requirements to other countries. Americans traveling to a country that requires a passport or proof of citizenship must still present those documents. In other words, this is a requirement imposed by the country you’re traveling to, not the U.S. federal government.
I sent my birth certificate with my passport application. What can I do?
The U.S. government cannot waive requirements imposed by foreign countries. You will need to obtain alternate documentation. This means getting another certified copy of your birth certificate from the state you were born in.
I have a photo-copy of my birth certificate. Will that work?
No. It must be a certified copy with a raised stamp from the issuing agency.
I was born in New Mexico. How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate:
If you were born in New Mexico, you can find out how to get a birth certificate here:
Expedited/Urgent Request for a birth certificate
Getting a New Mexico Birth Certificate in Person
There is a Vital Records office in Albuquerque. In many cases, you can visit the office and get your birth certificate here within 24 hours. If you arrive in the morning, you might be able to get it the same day.
Address: 1111 Stanford Dr. NE (Lomas & Girard by UNM Hospital)
Phone: 841-4185
I was born elsewhere. How do I get my birth certificate?
Each state has different procedures for expediting birth certificates, so you`ll need to do a bit of research. This federal website is a good starting point. Please note that there are several private companies that offer to get your birth certificate for you, often at a hefty price. Our office has no experience with those companies and cannot vouch for their effectiveness.
I`m a naturalized citizen and sent my paperwork with my passport office
Your best option is to get your passport. If you`re in this situation and are traveling within two weeks, please call Rep. Wilson`s office at 505-346-6781 for help.
Refunds available for some Passport applicants
Travelers who paid $60 for expedited service and did not receive their passport on an expedited basis should request a refund by writing to the following address:
Department of State
Passport Services/PPS/Refunds
2100 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037-3202.
The refund request should include the applicant`s passport number (if available), name, date and place of birth, approximate date of the passport application, a mailing address and telephone number.
The department will not refund the regular passport application and execution fees, which total $97 for new passports and $67 for renewals for adults age 16 and older. Different fees apply to those under age 16. For details, visit http://www.travel.state.gov.
Dealing with the red tapeRep. Heather Wilson can help you deal with processing delays if you have an emergency and need your passport right away. If you need to travel out of the country on short notice or if you are having difficulties with the State Department, we might be able to help. You will need to fill out a privacy release and send it with the explanation of the problem you are having to:
Congresswoman Heather Wilson
Re: Passport Problems
20 First Plaza NW Suite 603
Albuquerque, NM 87102
505-346-6781 phone
505-346-6723 fax
Frequently Asked Questions How do I get a new passport?
How do I renew my passport?
My valid passport was lost or stolen, what do I do?
I need a passport for my child, what do I need?
How do I correct an error on my passport?
I work for the United States government and I need to travel overseas on official business. Do I still have to pay the fees?
I have run out of visa pages in my passport, can I order new ones?
How long does it take to receive my passport?
What is the cost of a passport?
I am an American citizen, but I was never issued a birth certificate, what do I do?
Traveling OverseasYou`ve got your passport and you`re ready to go on your trip, right? Not quite. You still have to check with the country or countries you`ll be visiting to determine whether or not you`ll need a visa. A visa is permission from a country to cross their borders and comes in the form of a stamp in your U.S. Passport. You usually have to mail your passport to the Embassy or Consulate of the country you`ll be visiting, so allow plenty of time to accomplish this.
Also, check the State Department website for travel warnings and consular information sheets that provide very helpful information about the country you plan on visiting. You can also check these Consular Travel Brochures for other tips and useful bits of information.
American Embassies and Consulates General Many U.S. Diplomatic Missions abroad have information on-line. You can also check the State Department`s various Telephone Directories to find the number you need.
Overseas Emergencies
Check here if you have an overseas emergency, or call the State Department Hotline for American Travelers: 202-647-5225
Passports and International Travel Updated: 05/15/07
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