On 6/29/07, Juan Lang juan_lang@yahoo.com wrote:
Thanks for the heads up, Steven. Do you know whether that applies to passport renewals, too?
No problem....my son and new wife both don't have one so I am going to be bit by this.
I assume it applies to everything including renewals. The recent changes requiring passport for re-entry from Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas have caused a 3 million application backlog. Apparently congress or DHS decided it would be a good idea to get everyone using them but did not allocate any additional agents to process the applications. The only solution I've read has been, to fudge your dates a little for when your trip is (line 18 on the application form) and then call and email the passport information center everyday after 3 or 4 weeks to get them expedite it (1-877-487-2778 / NPIC@state.gov). There is an extra fee you can pay to have it rushed but according to everything I've read that has not helped at all and even having someone from your congressman's office pester them has not helped to speed up processing.