| The U.S. Department of State Passport Services | | | | my wife and me first week in January for March 18 |
| recently increased the waiting period for passport | | | | trip. Now told they will not be ready until March 27, |
| processing causing chaos e frustration for would-be | | | | well after our departure date. Please advise." |
| travelers. Routine passport processing which, for | | | | "I need to know the status of three passports for |
| many years, took only six weeks to complete now | | | | my children. We are leaving the country in two |
| requires up to 10 weeks or more. Expedited services | | | | weeks and I thought we would have their new |
| can take up to four weeks instead of the usual two. | | | | passports by now. Please advise." |
| The increase in processing times is a response to a | | | | "My application has been processed, but will arrive |
| 44% increase in passport applications. Two factors | | | | too late for my trip. Can I expedite the process |
| have contributed to the greater demand. One, the | | | | before 3/16? I cannot get through [to National |
| months of February through April are usually | | | | Passport Information Service] by phone or e-mail to |
| high-volume months due to the fact that travelers | | | | save my life." |
| are preparing for both Spring break and summer | | | | "My family and I applied for passports in January and |
| vacations. | | | | when we went online to find out the status they |
| Two, a new law that went into effect January 23 of | | | | said they would be sent on or about March 28th. We |
| this year requires all persons, including U.S. citizens, | | | | our leaving on our vacation on March 29th. We need |
| traveling by air between the United States and | | | | our passports to travel. We are leaving in 2 weeks!!! |
| Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the | | | | Please direct me to the right person to speak to. I've |
| Caribbean, and Bermuda to present a valid passport, | | | | tried calling the National service but can't get through |
| Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant | | | | because of the large volume of calls." |
| Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, | | | | Travelers who are able to get through to the |
| Form I-551, if applicable. | | | | National Passport Information Service and set up an |
| Many travelers who were unaware of the increased | | | | appointment as a regional passport agency found |
| demand applied for a passport thinking they would | | | | themselves facing extremely long and chaotic lines. |
| receive it within a few weeks. They then found | | | | An efficient, although costly, alternative is to contract |
| themselves desperately seeking a way to get their | | | | a private passport and visa expediter. Expediting |
| passport in time for their scheduled trip. Following are | | | | services have a special relationship with the U.S. State |
| just a few of the numerous messages U.S. Passport | | | | Department that allow them to hand deliver |
| Service Guide has recently received. | | | | applications and pick up prepared passports for their |
| The National Passport Information Service has | | | | clients in 10 days or less. Fees start at about $59 and |
| representatives available from 7:00 am to 12 midnight. | | | | can reach $169 for same day service. This does not |
| However, you have about as much a chance to get | | | | include fees charged by the U.S. government nor |
| through as you do winning the lottery. Following are | | | | overnight delivery. |
| just a few of the numerous requests from | | | | While the cost of passport expediting through a |
| desperate individuals seeking assistance to get their | | | | private service may be expensive, it can mean the |
| passports on time. | | | | difference between actually receiving your passport |
| "Are you able to expedite a passport application that | | | | before your departure date and having to cancel |
| is already being processed? Filed for passports for | | | | your trip. |