US Passport Services Catches Up, Back to Standard Processing Times
The US State Department announced last week that they've restored passport service back to the standard six to eight week processing time for routine passport applications, and no more than three weeks for expedited services. For much of the busy spring and summer travel months, the Department fell behind, with processing dates up to 12 weeks.
As of last week, the department issued over 16 million passports in 2007, as compared to 12.1 million in 2006. The government worked throughout the summer to eliminate the delays in processing that developed earlier in the year.
Increased demand for US passports comes from new travel regulations for Canada and Mexico, which now require all travelers to have passports for air travel. By Summer 2008, passports will also be required for air, sea, and land entry.
The State Dept. also has announced plans to expand passport facilities and to continue hiring passport specialists to increase production capacity and meet rising demands.
If you haven't gotten a passport yet, now is the time to get one. Get one now, and you won't have to worry about missing out on those last minute trips to Canada.
Comments
i am a passport acceptance
i am a passport acceptance agent...i am the person who accepts and then sends on your DS-11 (application for a passport)...i can tell you that THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE IS NOT telling the truth...i have people who paid the extra $60 to expedite the processing time of their passports and also paid the extra fee for express mailing coming and going...and six weeks later, NO PASSPORT...a few months ago they admitted to being six million passports behind and in this short amount of time, they have caught up? and don't forget, a record number of people continue to apply since the law requiring a passport to travel by car, foot or boat accross the mexico and canada borders begins 1/08...THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE does not tell the truth...not then, not now...one bit of advice...APPLY EARLY AND BE PREPARED TO WAIT...THEN WAIT...THEN WAIT...and WAIT SOME MORE...
Passports - Back on Track
I am the spokesman for consular affairs at the State Department. During the summer, we fell behind on our work to give Americans passports, but we are pleased to announce that through months of hard, dedicated work, we have caught up and are back on track. Yes, there were delays over the summer, but we are confident that Americans who apply today will have passports back in 6-8 weeks, our usual standard. We thank those passport acceptance agents who have been our partners in this, and especially supportive during a difficult summer.
I want to ask that you correct on thing. Passports will NOT be required for land travel starting January 1. Under current Homeland Security proposals, passports will not be required for land travel in and out of the U.S. until the summer of 2008. You can read more at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1182350422171.shtm.
We recognize the value Americans put on prompt, reliable passport service. We've worked hard to catch up, and learned a lot that we will put into play to try to maintain the level of service Americans deserve.
Steve
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