I have applied for a US passport and still havent recieved it. I have a trip in 10 days, what shoudl i do?

Question

I applied 15 weeks ago but have yet to received it. They are given 12 weeks but its way beyond that. I have yet to get my passport so what should i do? My trip is on the july 1st and its impossible to connect tot he automated passport service so i was wondering if anyone knew what to do.

Answer 1

As Chris said this depends on where it is you are traveling. If it is within the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico then by using your Birth Certificate/license/passport application up until Sept. 1st 2007 you can travel. Any other places there will be no exceptions, period.

You can call the Governor, senator, etc. But that isn't going to matter you are talking about countries that for as long as I have known NEED a passport. Even if you have travel insurance, this will not cover it. Unfortunately many people waited to long, even after they have been talking of this new requirement for a few years now.

Best of Luck and hopefully you get it in 10 days. Hey I literally got mine the day of my departure. I applied for it late as it was a last min. international business trip and I didn't have a passport yet. So you never know!!

Answer 2

I saw a news clip about passport office crowding day before yesterday. At one office the line was so long the end could only be seen from the air, I mean it was blocks long!

Try calling the passport office ASAP to find out the status of your application. Then you might want to reschedule your trip. The backlog is unbelievable. the Passport Office is practically choked with applications. No telling when yours will be ready.

Doc

Answer 3

If you are heading to Mexico, Canada, or one of the US territories (US Virgin Islands, etc...) you should be able to use your paperwork that you applied for a passport. It was recently decided to allow this exception because of the extreme backlog of new passport applications.

Alternatively, you can contact your congressman or senator's office, explain the situation, and they may be able to have your application expedited.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Call you state Senator's office and let them help you. Saw it on the news that others are having luck with it. Saw that IN hired 5 extra people to answer questions and help.

Answer 5

You're cutting it close but there may be hope. There is a link below to a website where you can get help. Good luck!

Answer 6

did you check your status on line and print of the proof of application? below is the link:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html


if you can use those for travel, great. if not, and a passport is required and you cannot get through to them, try contacting you senator or representative, only as a last resort.

hopefully this will help:

Travel Accommodation Announced June 8, 2007

* Maura Harty, Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs on the Temporary Travel Accommodation
* How Does This Affect Me?
* Are you a child who is a U.S. citizen traveling to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region by air and you have applied for a passport but have not received it yet?

The U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security announced Friday, June 8th that U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region, who have applied for, but not yet received passports, can re-enter the United States by air. This accommodation does not mean that Americans are exempt from meeting the entry requirements of Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region. Entry requirements for those countries remain in effect. Americans traveling to those countries must verify the specific entry requirements for that country before departure. To access entry requirements for all countries, see our Consular Information Sheets.

Entry requirements for countries are self-determined. We are reaching out to the governments of countries affected by WHTI to consult with them about our announcement. We hope they also will be able to take a flexible approach. We will communicate the results of our consultations with the airlines to facilitate boarding. Please check this page for updated information.

U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region who have applied for, but not yet received passports, can re-enter the United States by air by presentation of a government issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport through September 30, 2007. The federal government is making this accommodation for air travel due to longer than expected processing times for passport applications in the face of record-breaking demand.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) was mandated by Congress in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to strengthen border security and facilitate entry into the United States for citizens and legitimate international visitors. WHTI requirements for air travel took effect on January 23, 2007.

Adults who have applied for but not yet received a passport should present government-issued photo identification and an official proof of application from the U.S. Department of State. Children under the age of 16 traveling with their parents or legal guardian will be permitted to travel with the child’s proof of application status. Children traveling alone should carry a copy of their birth certificate, baptismal record or a hospital record of birth in the United States in addition to their passport application status documentation. This accommodation applies to all American citizens who apply for passports, until September 30, when this accommodation period ends. U.S. citizens with pending passport applications can obtain proof of application at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html.

Since implementation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has and will continue to exercise its current authorities in unique circumstances to allow individuals subject to the WHTI requirements into the United States based on other evidence of identity and citizenship.

Travel document security remains a top priority for the U.S. Government. Both the 9/11 Commission and the U.S. Congress urged strengthening of travel documents to prevent entry of terrorists across our borders, reduce use of fraudulent documents, and speed up entry procedures.



How does this affect me?

1. Are you a U.S. Citizen traveling to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region by air who HAS APPLIED for a passport but has not received it yet?

* If so, go to http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html and follow the instructions to print out your passport status page. Keep this status page with you during your entire trip for both exit from the U.S. and re-entry to the U.S.
* Next, find out what the entry requirements are for the country you are visiting. In some cases, you may need to contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
* Be sure to present the documentation required by the country you are visiting along with your printed passport status page to the airline personnel upon departure and re-entry to the U.S.

2. Are you a U.S. Citizen traveling to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region by air and you have NOT APPLIED for a passport yet, or, you HAVE NOT APPLIED TO RENEW an expired passport yet?

* If so, access the Passport Page to apply for a new passport or to renew an old passport

* Once your application is in process with the U.S. Department of State (which could take up to 7 to 10 days to track online), you should:

* Go to Checking the Status of Your Application and follow the instructions to print out your passport status page. Keep this status page with you during your entire trip for both exit from the U.S. and re-entry to the U.S.

* Next, find out what the entry requirements are for the country you are visiting. In some cases, you may need to contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.

* Be sure to present the documentation required by the country you are visiting along with your printed passport status page to the airline personnel upon departure and re-entry to the U.S.

3. If you are a U.S. Citizen traveling to ANY OTHER COUNTRY and your passport application and delivery has been delayed,

* Please go to U.S. Passport Application Status to check the status of your application. The online status check will verify that the application is in process, and will update to confirm when the completed passport has been mailed.

4. If you are a U.S. Citizen traveling to ANY OTHER COUNTRY and your passport application and delivery has been delayed and trip departure date is within two weeks, please e-mail the National Passport Information Center.

5. Are you a child who is a U.S. citizen traveling to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region by air and you have applied for a passport but have not received it yet?

* Children 16 and under traveling with a parent or legal guardian will be required to present the proof of passport application status from the Department of State (DOS) for departure from the United States as well as re-entry to the United States. Acceptable confirmation of a passport application may be found at the Department of State’s website at http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html.

* Children 16 and under traveling alone should carry a copy of their birth certificate, baptismal record or a hospital record of birth in the United States as well as the proof of passport application status from the Department of State (DOS) for departure from the United States as well as re-entry to the United States. Acceptable confirmation of a passport application may be found at the Department of State’s website at http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html.

* Children older than 16 and traveling alone are required to have a government-issued photo ID in addition to the proof of passport application status. Acceptable confirmation of a passport application may be found at the Department of State’s website at http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html.



Media Notes

* 06/08/2007 Joint Departments of State and Homeland Security Announcement: U.S. Citizens with Pending Passport Applications Allowed Temporary Travel Flexibility Within Western Hemisphere

Frequently Asked Questions

* Frequently Asked Questions about the U.S. Citizens with Pending Passport Applications Allowed Temporary Travel Flexibility (FAQs)

Federal Regulations

* Final Rule - Air Phase (pdf PDF)
* Proposed Rule - Passport Card (pdf PDF)
* Comments Submitted in Passport Card Rule Making Proceeding (DOS-2006-0329-0001)

Other Relevant Links

* Department of Homeland Security
* U.S. Customs and Border Protection