DOS Takes Longer to Issue U.S. Passports
Posted Mar 23, 2007
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Citizens of the United States who are planning international travel need to apply for their U.S. passports with more lead time than was previously necessary. As of March 2007, the recommendation is that passport applications should be made at least ten weeks before scheduled travel. In the past, four to six weeks would have been considered sufficient. This change is due to an unprecedented demand for U.S. passports. The U.S. Department of State (DOS) is warning travelers to expect lengthy delays, even when they pay the additional expedite fee for new passports or passport renewal.
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Suspected Cause : New Travel Requirements
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The flood of passport applications is believed to be the result of recent changes requiring passports from U.S. citizens traveling by air to any country, including Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. This new requirement is known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). It also coincides with a regular increase in passport applications occurring from the late winter through the early spring, when U.S. citizens are making spring and summer travel plans.
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Recommendation
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U.S. citizens planning to travel abroad this spring or summer should apply for passports as soon as possible. Individuals with naturalization cases pending decision may run into problems obtaining passports if their citizenship is granted shortly before anticipated travel. Many of our clients have children born in the U.S., who also need U.S. passports in order to travel. Parents should be mindful of this potential delay if the family is planning a trip outside of the country.
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Many MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers travel abroad regularly - to visit family and for business. To those who have some flexibility in their plans, we remind them that the vastness of the United States and variations within this country offer countless entertaining, interesting, educational, and beautiful vacation spots. If passports are a problem and alternative plans are desirable, our readers may like to consider travel destinations in the U.S.
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Reminder : The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
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Under WHTI, and since January 23, 2007, all U.S. citizens are required to have passports when they travel by air to any country, including Mexico and Canada. WHTI also is expected to require all U.S. citizens to start using passports as early as January 1, 2008, when they travel to Canada and Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or by sea (including ferries). This requirement does not apply to travel to and from a U.S. territory, which includes Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. There are very limited exceptions.
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Procedures for Obtaining a U.S. Passport
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Persons applying for U.S. passports for the first time must apply in person. There are more than 8,000 passport acceptance locations in the United States. To find the facility nearest to you, go to the Passport Acceptance Facility search page on the DOS WebSite.
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According the DOS guidelines, in-person applications are also required in the following instances: if an expired passport is not in the possession of the applicant; if it was 15 years since the issuance of an expired passport; if a previous passport was issued when the applicant was under the age of 16; if the applicant legally changed her/his name; or if the previous passport was lost or stolen. In all other instances, an applicant who has previously held a U.S. passport may apply to renew his/her passport by mail. Applications for renewal are also available on the DOS WebSite.
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How to Inquire about a Passport Application
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Status of pending U.S. passport applications is available online at the DOS WebSite. Due to the unusual demand for U.S. passports, the DOS has hired additional staff who can answer urgent inquires at the National Passport Information Center at 1.877.487.2778. This should not be confused with pending applications for U.S. citizenship.
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Conclusion
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Travel requires planning, and now there is just a bit more forethought needed. It may be best for eligible individuals to consider applying for U.S. passports, even if there are no immediate plans for international travel. In situations where there is any chance of an emergency that could necessitate travel abroad, it may make sense to obtain the required travel documents in advance. Even if the parents of U.S. citizen children have valid passports from their own countries of origin, passport applications for these children should be submitted early enough to avoid travel difficulties. We wish our MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers happy and safe travel during the upcoming spring and summer vacation season and in the future.