I need a passport, by saturday?

Question

I filed for my passport on Jan 24, 2007. They said plenty of time for March 24. The schedule first said the week of March 18, now it is March 24 the day I leave. I cannot get through the phone lines, sent an email but no response there either. Do I not go on my ski trip?

Additions to my original post,

I also received an email says it will be sent from South Carolina, 3-5 days. Hopefully 3 days and it arrives Friday.
I have it being tracked but no update for today. I hope they notify me it is in Lansing tomorrow.
The nearest passport center would be Chicago, and as mentioned I would be out of luck anyway.
We shall see. Thanks to all for the response

Answer 1

2nd change to original post: My friend had sent an e-mail Sunday to the National Passport Information Center, and he actually got a response today. They said that they mailed off the passport today from South Carolina (to San Diego) using priority USPS mail which takes 2-3 days. Since your passport has the same arrival date as his, hopefully yours was sent out today and will arrive before the 24th. Send them an e-mail to see if it was sent out yet, and if it hasn't been, ask them if they can send it express mail (USPS) (overnight) if you pay the extra fee. Good luck. And pray hard.

Change to original post: I just called one of those private emergency passport providers (Last Minute Passports) and the lady there said that if you go to your closest Passport Agency 24 hours before your flight (in your case Friday) and you go to the will call window and wait there (I'd get there two to three hours before they open) and show that you're leaving within 24 hours (show itinerary or tickets, plus have any other important info w/ you also), and they can see if they have your passport in their facility, and they'll give it to you. But before I'd go, check the status online, and if it has already been mailed, I think you're out of luck. She also said you can't go two days before, only one day before, and to not line up to go in, but only line up at will call. I'd call a couple other emergency passport companies and try to verify this info.

Original post: Unfortunately, I think you're screwed. My friend is in the same boat. Coincidentally, he applied the same day 1/24, and his supposed arrival date is also 3/24. He has a flight on the 22nd though. Yeah, getting through by phone or e-mail is futile. Dam government changes the law requiring people to have passports to fly back from Mexico and Canada, but doesn't hire enough staff to process the increase in passport requests (they say they've hired more staff, but obviously not enough). If you (and my friend) had realized that you weren't going to get your passport on time, you could have scheduled an appointment at the closest passport agency 14 days or sooner before your flight, shown your info and flight itinerary to them at the appt. and likely could have gotten a passport made the same day or the day after. But it's too late. My friend didn't call soon enough, and the L.A. agency didn't have any appointment til March 26th. He's gonna change his plans (if it doesn't come miraculously in the mail) and probably buy a ticket for the 28th or 29th (if the airline will allow him to change the departure date w/o a fee) and go to LA and hopefully they can get him a passport right then. He's already probably gonna have to pay $200 to cancel his flight, so he doesn't want to buy a ticket and then have the LA agency not give a passport and then have to cancel again. (Oh, and you have to show the agency that you have a flight within 14 days or they won't help you.) Sounds like you'll have to reschedule your trip. Sucks huh. Dam government.

Answer 2

flow to Victoria Passport place of work. the fairway Line coach 773 will take you close up(ish)..expensive(about £14 go back!) from the centre of Hemel on the bus station with assistance from the marketplace. The end is with assistance from the major highway on a similar area because the bus station,no longer in the bit the position the buses pull in.Get an early coach-you're in for a lengthy day!They flow a minimum of each hour,perchance each 0.5-hour.journey takes virtually an hour so a coach round 8.15 or so will be ok.The place of work opens at 9.30 and also you do not favor a huge queue in the front of you. they could in person-friendly words do such fairly some in an afternoon,and once you're previous due in they gained't do it. Take each of the stuff,like start cert,pictures,and so on.and fairly some money. they're going to charge a minimum of £50,perchance a lot more advantageous.you'd be waiting for hours,even if it should be executed. Visas for Turkey are gained on the visual attraction airport (Istambul,Antalya,and so on). it really is no longer a 'genuine' visa like maximum governments situation ,in simple terms an excuse for a centred visitor tax. you position your passport and £10(English notes are ok) via the slot below the window and walk away ten seconds later with a visa sticky label on your passport.No questions or something. useless ordinary! No issues there! All they favor is the ten quid. magnificent needs to you and Hemel and feed the geese for me eh? perchance even as your waiting for the coach.Now how ought to i be conscious of that?

Answer 3

You just have to keep trying to get through on the phone. Be patient and try calling in off peak hours. When I had to call, I had the best luck first thing in the morning, as soon as they opened which I think was around 8am EST.
Once you get through they can tell exactly where in the process your application is. It is probably too late to request a rush processing, but you can try.
If your trip involves leaving the country, then yes-you will have to cancel if you can not get your passport before you leave.

Answer 4

There have been a number of articles about passport backlog even for people who paid to expedite. Try contacting your consulate in the place you are traveling to for alternate acceptable documentation in the event of non receipt. Your travel agent may be able to assist you as well. If you can travel out have the passport overnighted to you as soon as possible for your return. Good Luck!