Frustrated and angry. That's what many travellers have been -- by the long lines at the Post Office to get an application, or waiting more than the promised 6-8 weeks for an app to be processed, and a shiny new blue U. S. Passport to arrive in the mail.
As the wait has turned into more like 12-16 weeks, it's been nail-biting season for those of us with expensive airline and hotel reservations that might be wasted because of the beaurocratic backlog..
In the effort to combat terrorism, the U. S. State Department and Homeland Security ruled any American citizen -- including babies in diapers -- would have to have a valid passport after January 23, 2007. Including for travel by air to destinations that didn't require a passport before -- Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
Back to the beaurocratic mess. On June 8th, after arm-twisting by members of the U.S. Congress who had been themselves lobbied by unhappy, frustrated and angry constituents, the State Dept. and and Homeland Security backed down a bit.
Just in time for the big Fourth of July travel weekend, they announced that U. S. citizens who have applied for -- but not yet received their passport -- will be able to to enter and leave the United States by air with only a government issued photo identification such as a driver's license and a State Dept. official proof of application for a passport.
The rules for children are a bit different. Children under the age of 16 traveling with their parents or legal guardian will need the child's proof of application. Children traveling alone should carry a copy of the passport application, plus their birth certificate, baptismal record or a hospital record of birth in the United States as identification.
You were smart enough to make a copy of your application, weren't you? If not, there's more nail biting ahead.
To get a receipt for your pending passport application, you'll have to request one at http://travel.state.gov. This is important to do if you are travelling within the next few weeks and not confident your actual, physical passport will arrive in time for your planned trip. Be sure to print out several copies, especially if you are visiting more than one country on your trip, just in case one of those border officials decides to hold on to your document.
You can track the status of your application online. This website also will tell you when the completed passport has been mailed.
The application copy is good for travel through Sept. 30th, by which time, hopefully, the passport processors will be caught up.
If you are planning to go overseas for the Thanksgiving, Christmas/Hanukah or New Year's holidays and do not have a valid passport, apply now, so you will have it in time.
