I applied for my passport expedited overnight on 8/2, it arrived there on 8/3. I'm going to Mexico on 8/10!!

Question

My application status hasn't showed up online at the Department of State's website yet. It originally said expedited passports would appear in progress before 7 days, but now it says 7-10 days even with expedited applications. Am I screwed? Can anyone tell me if they had a similar situation or if there's a way I can have them dig out my passport application for me? Anyone use a congress member for help?

I have all the documents they gave me at the post office as well as an original U.S. birth certificate. Will they let me on the plane with that?

Answer 1

Here you go boss. don't freak!

TEMPORARY TRAVEL FLEXIBILITY FOR UNITED STATES CITIZENS AIR ENVIRONMENT


Since January 23, 2007, all citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean have been required to present a valid passport when entering the United States at any airport. This includes:
• Children of any age, including children of Legal Permanent Residents who are United States citizens.
• Mexican citizens who have a Border Crossing Card (BCC) when entering the United States by air. (The BCC is still valid in lieu of a passport and visa for land border crossings within the border region.) The BCC may be used as a visa.
Due to longer than expected processing times for passport applications in the face of record-breaking demand, the federal government is making an accommodation for air travel. U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda who have applied for but not yet received passports can temporarily enter and depart from the United States by air with a government issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport through Sept. 30, 2007.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Who is affected?
This accommodation is available to Americans traveling by air and returning from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
U.S. citizens who take advantage of this accommodation will need to present the official proof of passport application to air carriers and to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at air ports of entry. Such individuals may be subject to secondary inspection.
What will be acceptable proof of application for a passport?
A print-out of the online status check accessed at http://travel.state.gov/passport, showing an application has been received by the Department of State.
When does this accommodation go into effect? How long will it last?
Since January 23, 2007, all citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda have been required to present a valid passport when entering the United States at any air port of entry.
Due to longer than expected processing times for passport applications in the face of record-breaking demand, the federal government is making an accommodation for air travel. U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda who have applied for but not yet received passports can temporarily enter and depart from the United States by air with a government issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport through September 30, 2007.
Do I need a passport to go on a cruise or to travel by vehicle across the land border to Canada or Mexico?
No, but it is recommended that U.S. citizens carry and present government-issued identification when requested. Although not currently required to present a document, U.S. citizens arriving by land and sea must still establish to the satisfaction of the inspecting officer that they are U.S. citizens.
As early as January 2008, the Departments of Homeland Security and State will begin to implement WHTI at land and sea ports of entry. A Notice of Proposed Rule Making outlining a phased implementation is expected to be published in the Federal Register within the next two weeks.
Do I need a passport if I'm flying within the United States, for example from Puerto Rico to New York?
Domestic travel within the United States does not require the presentation of a passport.
The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. U.S. territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
What is your advice to travelers?
• Travelers who have applied for passports should monitor the status of the application online at http://travel.state.gov/passport. Customers may track the progress of their applications within one week of applying. The online status check will verify that the application is in process, and will update to confirm that the completed passport has been mailed.
• If a customer is within two weeks of travel and the website does not show that the passport is completed, travelers should call the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) at 1-877-487-2778 for information and assistance in arranging to have their passports ready for their trips.
• We ask that other travelers leave these phone lines open for those with immediate travel needs. Our goal is for all travelers to get their passports in time for their trips.
• If you benefit from the flexibility permitted for travel to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, you do not need to contact the NPIC about your application. We will continue to process your application and mail your passports.

Answer 2

Oh sure, you can get to Mexico. You need your passport to get back in!

The gist of the last response is basically that you need to have proof that you've applied for a passport.

Definitely check that site, though!

OH! And try *not* to take your birth certificate with you! Get a few copies of it to have around - you have to pay a fee to the health department of your state but they'll make you an official copy.

Have a great trip!