Passport Delays?

[Maggimus]

DH and I are flying to Mexico in late April. We went and applied for our passports and the 'end' date that they were supposed to come in was 2 days before we leave (the last week in April). I told the man I wanted them expedited. He told me that he didn't think I should do that, that I would be waisting my money because they would come before the day of my departure. After having discussed this with him several more minutes I finally just figured he knew what he was talking about.

Now I am hearing that there are delays in getting the passports. Anyone know anything??

 

[lovemygoofy]

Last week there was an article in our local paper that it was 10-12 weeks possibly more for standard processing of passports. You might want to check online to see your progress.

 

[Maggimus]

does anyone know how to do that?? Thanks for your reply!

 

[Maggimus]

nevermind i just found the website- lets cross our fingers and hope i wont have to call and expedite!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

What used to take six weeks now seems to be taking 10. So keep that in mind.

 

[Maggimus]

Yeah, I just checked and we arent in the database-- go figure! AHH-- im gonna pull my hair out over this waiting and wondering thing

 

[Amlee]

Some from the DCL forum have called and added the expedited process to their passports.

You can call the National Passport Information Center @ 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778) to see about doing this with a credit card.


http://travel.state.gov/passport/about/npic/npic_898.html

 

[Maggimus]

Thanks very much for the phone number-- im really starting to worry. It really makes me upset that I insisted on it in the first place and the man kept telling me not to. Apparently he must not have wanted to fill out the added paperwork or something

 

[Miss Jasmine]

You won't appear in the database until about three weeks after your application has been received. I don't think you will have it in time unless you do expedite it. http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/processing/processing_1740.html

 

[lovemygoofy]

Thanks very much for the phone number-- im really starting to worry. It really makes me upset that I insisted on it in the first place and the man kept telling me not to. Apparently he must not have wanted to fill out the added paperwork or something

In the article I mentioned above, it was stated that the workers at the local offices had no idea how long the wait was. The local reporter told the worker here and she called to confirm it. Apparently the dept isn't putting it out to the local offices of wait time.

 

[hydster]

My parents friends applied just after Thanksgiving and didn't get their passports until after Valentines day. Honestly I think I'd call the passport office and pay to get them expedited if at all possible. It would be worth it to me to have them even if it cost a lot more...but then I hate to worry about stuff like that!

We got them before the prices went up a few years ago and it was almost as big of a joke then as it is now!

 

[Amlee]

When did you apply? As it was mentioned it takes normally 3 weeks to appear in the data base. I had my expedited years ago and the only extra paperwork was on my part as I had to write a bigger check. Other than writing expedite on the envelop, there was nothing else to do.

Ton's of people are running into the uneducated when getting a passport, which is really really sad!

 

[Maggimus]

GEEZ-- im definately going to call. It erks the pee out of me though that I wanted to do this in the first place. When did these longer waits start? I guess its because of the recent changes

 

[Toby'sFriend]

it has been all over the news here that the passport agencies are flooded with apps. Even Expedited is taking over a month.

 

[Amlee]

I pulled this post I made about passports a few weeks ago.

How Long Will it Take to Process a Passport Application?


Updated Processing Times

February-April is the busiest time of year for Passport Services, with Americans planning spring break and summer trips. The best advice is, “Apply Early!” Or even “now’” if you might be checking out deals on airfare or hotels outside the U.S.

If you are traveling or need your passport in order to get a visa within the next 10 days, please call us at the National Passport Information Center or use the link below to check the status of your application online.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/about/npic/npic_898.html

If you have already applied but will not need your passport within the next two weeks:

Don't worry, please!!! There should be no need to contact us at this time. Our goal is to make sure that no one misses a trip. We have added staff and are working overtime across the country.

Checking the status of your application: You can check the status of your application online. Currently, it is taking up to 7 days for Expedited Applications and up to 3 weeks for Routine Applications to be tracked online. Please allow that much time before contacting us to check on your application.

*One of 8,000+ facilities accepting passport applications, such as your local post office, municipal office, courthouse, library.

** Normally Routine Service passports are received within 6 weeks. Currently, it is taking up to 10 weeks. If you are not traveling within the next 10 days, please check the status of your application online, keeping in mind that it is taking approximately 3 weeks for our system to start tracking your application. If you are traveling within the next 10 days, please call or email the National Passport Information Center.

*** Normally, Expedite Service takes 2 weeks to receive your passport from the date you applied. Because of unusually high demand, it is now taking 3-4 weeks and possibly longer if you renewed by mail and did not mark “Expedite” on the mailing envelope. If you haven’t received your passport and are traveling within the next 10 days , please call or email the National Passport Information Center .

 

[Maggimus]

it has been all over the news here that the passport agencies are flooded with apps. Even Expedited is taking over a month.

thanks for the discouraging news

 

[Crankyshank]

thanks for the discouraging news

Would you rather she lied?

DH was told last month that it would take approximately 10-14weeks for his passport application to be processed because this is their busiest time of year. My brother expedited his 3 weeks ago for his Easter cruise and is still waiting.

 

[Maggimus]

no i wouldnt have-- i was just saying that that wasnt good news..


Getting a customer service rep on the phone is like pulling teeth-- they just cut your phone off if there isnt someone who can come to the phone right then-- they dont even let you wait!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

well, I'm sorry to be discouraging. I think the State Dept really tried to get the news out to everybody last year about the changes, but it seems like many people still put it off.

this is a reuters article

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN1621296120070316

 

[Bob Slydell]

For those who have applied in the past few months, how accurate is the date listed on the website? I checked this weekend and it says on or about the 20th for my renewal and the 27th for my sons passports. Our trip is on the 9th of April -- do I start worrying yet?