State Department Changes Passport Rules in Response to High Demand

Washington, D.C. - Washington, D.C. - Today, the State Department, in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security, temporarily revised passport rules to accommodate US citizens traveling by air to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

According to the State Department:

"Due to delays in processing times for passport applications, the federal government is making an accommodation for air travel. U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda who have applied for but not yet received passports can temporarily enter and depart from the United States by air with a government issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport through Sept. 30, 2007."

The State Department's travel website, travel.state.gov has been updated to reflect this change. Constituents who are in the process of planning a trip overseas to the effected locations are strongly encouraged to visit the website for up-to-date information.

Constituents taking advantage of this new temporary exemption can print-out the online passport status check that may be accessed through http://travel.state.gov/passport. This status check can be used to prove that a passport application has been received by the State Department.

Passports are still required for people traveling outside of the newly exempted areas. Constituents should be aware that processing times for passports are still running at least 12 weeks. Expedited passports applications are taking lat least 3 weeks to be completed.

Constituents can call the National Passport Center at 1-877-487-2778 to get information on a passport application.

If travelers need help with their passports, timing remains extremely important. Congressman Shuster can help, but his office recommends that constituents contact him at least two weeks from their planned departure date. Congressman Shuster's district offices can be reached toll free at 1-800-854-3035.