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