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PASSPORTS
UPDATE: June 8, 2007 the Bush Administration initiated a reprieve on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Effective immediately, citizens traveling within the Western Hemisphere (Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean) who have applied for but not yet received passports can temporarily enter and depart the US with a valid and clear photo ID and official proof of application for a passport from the Department of State. The reprieve will be in effect through September 30, 2007.
Official proof can be obtained by going to www.travel.state.gov and selecting “online application status check” from the menu on the left hand side of the page, or by emailing the National Passport Information Center on the same website.
Children under 16 may travel with just official proof of application from DOS. Although a certified birth certificate is not required to travel, it may be a good idea to carry one. If your birth certificate is pending with Passport Services, you may obtain a copy from Vital check at 1-800-255-2414.
If you have applied for a passport and requested a name change, you may also need to carry a copy of a certified marriage license (etc) if the name on the passport and photo ID differs.
This reprieve comes as a result of the large delays in processing passports. This accommodation does not affect entry requirements to other countries; therefore, Americans traveling to a country that requires passports must still present the appropriate documents. As always, the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security consider border security, travel document security, and safety of travelers to be of utmost importance.
Passport Services will continue to process applications based on travel date and also by destination. By the end of 2007, it is expected that Passport Services will hire over 400 new staffers as well as open 2 new facilities to accommodate the demands of travelers, as well as continue to work 24-7.
Passport Services are working with airlines as well to make sure that these new regulations are being followed.
Statistics:
January - December 2006: 12.1 million applications processed
January 2007: 1.8 million applications processed
February 2007: 1.7 million applications processed
March 2007: 1.997 million applications processed
January – May 2007: 776 new staffers hired by Department of State
End of 2007: additional 400 staffers expected to be hired and 2 new facilities to be fully operational, including one in Arkansas that will help to process over 10 million applications a year.
New Passports:
To obtain a passport for the first time, you must go in person to one of 7,000 passport acceptance facilities located in the United States. Locate a local facility through the U.S. Department of State Passport Acceptance Facility Search Page.
You will need to bring:
· two photographs of yourself (most facilities can do this for you for a fee)
· proof of citizenship (usually a certified birth certificate)
· a valid form of photo identification such as a driver’s license
The passport acceptance agent (generally located at a post office) will assist in mailing the application. At this time, it will take 6-8 weeks to renew or obtain a new passport. If you pay to expedite your request, it may take 3-4 weeks to obtain your passport. These timeframes are subject to change so please check the Department of State website at http://www.travel.state.gov for the most up-to-date information on processing times. Individuals will also need to show proof of travel to allow those with more immediate travel needs to be assisted first.
Renewing Passports
You can renew by mail if:
· your most recent passport is not damaged and is available to submit
· you received the passport within the past 15 years
· you were over age 16 when it was issued
· you still have the same name or can legally document your name change
You can download a passport renewal application from the U.S. Department of State Passports Home Page. If your passport has been altered or damaged, you must apply in person. For a renewal, you will need 2 new passport photos to submit.
Passport Fees
· For a person over 16, a passport costs $97
· For a person under 16, a passport costs $82
· A renewal costs $67
· Expediting is an additional $60 per passport plus overnight fees
Obviously, there are exceptions and many details and intricacies of the system. The Department of State - http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html -- has a wealth of information. If that doesn’t answer your question, feel free to call one of my three state offices -- Charleston: 843-727-4525, Columbia: 803-771-6112, or
Greenville : 864-233-5366 -- and ask to speak with the staffer who handles passports. |
