New Passport Regulations - Early Renewal
Jul 14th, 2006, 04:36 PM
#26
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I didn't know about the new regulations until this week. I applied for my passport (new) 3 weeks ago and paid for it to be expedited. I still haven't received it. I applied in Chicago thinking it would be quicker being a regional location. My friend applied in San Antonio last week and already received hers. I unfortunately have non-refundable tickets to Europe tomorrow and no passport. I've even had my congressman call on my behalf and was told they are so swamped in Chicago they can't keep up with the demand. I can't even travel to Mexico if I wanted because they of course have my birth certificate too. I don't know what I'm gonna do now! I was told I would definitely have it within two weeks when I applied. This is unbelievable! Not only did I pay extra fees for nothing...I also have to pay 580 in penalties plus any additional air fees with the airline to make changes to my tickets...worst yet, I can't go on vacation unless I stay in the states!!!!! AHHHHHH! I'm so fustrated. I haven't been on vacation for 5 yrs and this was my chance to go to Europe. Ugh! Damn the passport office!!
Jul 15th, 2006, 06:45 PM
#28
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Hey everyone, my two cents (I used to be in the passport/visa business) is that extra-long delays right now might be because this is the popular travel season. We were always busier in summer. You might find more reasonable processing times once the summer rush is over.
Jul 16th, 2006, 08:27 AM
#30
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I agree that the summertime is really the busiest time for new passports and the addtion of the new reuqirement that a valid US Passport is now needed to travel by air or sea to Mexico, Canada and all Caribbean countries as of 31 December 2006 just makes the processing time longer. So don't wait another day to get that passport application started. As a travel agent I can't tell you how glad I am to see the US finally making this passport requirement obligatory for all travel. I am constanly amazed at how many people don't know what their legal name is or how many people don't have a birth certificate from the state or don't know where it is. When we have to do a name change done on an international ticket it is always a battle to avoid those change charges. I always ask for the legal name when doing the inital booking, when taking the final payment and when delivering the documents and I still get people who call at the last minute to tell me that the name on their proof of citizenship is not the same as what they told me it was. Having a passport probably won't change all of this, but at least I won't have those cleints confused as to what type of birth certificate is the right kind or not having a valid driver's license avilable. I've taken to asking for a copy of the passport.
So , I beg every citizen to apply for a passport as soon as possible so that when that great travel bargin to Mexico, Cnada or the caribbean comes along , you will be able to take advantage of it.
So , I beg every citizen to apply for a passport as soon as possible so that when that great travel bargin to Mexico, Cnada or the caribbean comes along , you will be able to take advantage of it.
Jul 16th, 2006, 08:45 PM
#32
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Janeg,
The Dept. of State offers an expedited procedure that supposedly gets you the passport in 2 weeks( as jazy said, you have to pay extra for it). I don't know if it can be used for new passports but it can definitevely be used for renewals. My sister used this option last year and I have friends that have used it as well.
The Dept. of State offers an expedited procedure that supposedly gets you the passport in 2 weeks( as jazy said, you have to pay extra for it). I don't know if it can be used for new passports but it can definitevely be used for renewals. My sister used this option last year and I have friends that have used it as well.
Jul 17th, 2006, 05:13 AM
#33
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Most of the time, the passport-expediting service works. My friend got a new passport through the National Passport Center after paying for expedited service in NYC. It arrived in about 9 calendar days. If you are on a very tight schedule---and I would consider travel in 3 weeks to be extraordinarily tight for a new passport---it is wise to use a passport-expediting service to ensure that you get your passport; this can be done in as little as 1 week if you pay for the "overnight" emergency service and use an expediter (quicker if you live in a place with a full-service passport center). If you are planning an international trip, it's always better if you allow for a buffer just in case there are delays. Granted, my friend applied back in late April, which is a less busy time. You can apply for a passport renewal anytime in the final year of validity of your passport, and I'd recommend doing it a bit early. The ideal time to apply for a new passport is about 8 months before it expires, the simple reason being that many countries require your passport to be valid for a period of 6 months after you arrive. This should protect you if you decide to take a last-minute trip.
Jul 17th, 2006, 06:03 AM
#34
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My passport disappeared. I found my birth certificate. I had the two pictures.I went to the Chicago office. I was there two hours before it opened and was a bit back in the line. I also had my airline tickets. I had a new passport that afternoon! Late arrivals were put off for another day.
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