I need some advice and insight on my passport application and wasn’t sure where to post this.

We are taking a trip to Scotland in September, and I’m concerned about my passport application. Reports are that it’s taking 10-13 weeks for regular speed, and 7-9 weeks expedited. We have 18 weeks until our trip, and I wouldn’t worry except for the fact that I submitted my passport application with bad intelligence from both the state department AND my local county clerk’s office.

Both of us have less than run of the mill cases— my husband had a government passport issued years ago, which was taken when he retired from the military. And I had an expired passport issued within the 15 years mentioned on the travel.gov website AND I’ve changed my name since we got married.

Here comes the bad intelligence. On the renewal application form it says a COPY of your marriage license. It does not say a “certified copy”. I also double checked with the clerk’s office, and they said “don’t send your original, you won’t get it back. Send a copy.” Not a certified copy. But just a copy. So that’s what I sent. A photocopy.

I don’t know what to do at this point. My application will be delivered on Monday and it may take 2 weeks to get a number assigned to my application. I will call to upgrade the speed, but I don’t want to just blindly send a certified copy until I know it will get added to my file.

Should I just upgrade my application and ride it out, and hope they take pity on me and just process the application? Or should I call the number they have listed and explain all this, and get their advice on what to do? (I should also note the nearest official passport location is 5 hours away. I don’t mind driving it, but it’s still a hurdle.)

I appreciate any guidance here!

I'm no expert on passport applications, but if there is a phone number to call, call it! Always better if you can talk to an actual person.

Definitely! The hotline takes you to an automated series of questions, but I found out how to get to an actual person. I hope they’ll work with me on a game plan.

I applied online for a new passport in January and received mine in late March. I did change my delivery from normal to expedited about 5 weeks into the process. I started hearing horror stories about 6 month backups and got very concerned since we are leaving for London in early May, but total turnaround time was around 8 weeks. I also read that calling and getting any kind of help was very difficult, but it sounds like things have calmed down and I would definitely get on the phone asap. You could also see about making an appt to go in and talk to someone. Here’s the thread I started-
Passport renewal

Welcome to Fodors. We moved you thread to the United States Forum

You could also contact the office of your Member of Congress. They can be very helpful.