Passport Delays May Create Headaches And Extra Costs For Travelers
May 15, 2007, WASHINGTON – New passport requirements and backlogs at the U.S. Department of State are causing headaches and increased costs for travelers, says U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon.
“Many summer travelers have been caught unaware by the new passport regulations and the delays in getting passports,” said Gordon. “At this point, a three month wait for a passport is not uncommon. If anyone is planning to travel internationally this year, I would recommend starting the application process now.”
According to the State Department’s New Orleans Passport Agency, 2.27 million passport applications were pending at centers across the nation at the end of April. At the same time in 2006, there were only about 1 million applications pending.
A new requirement took effect in January requiring all air travelers to present a passport when traveling between the U.S. and any country within the Western Hemisphere. Previously, passports were not required for citizens traveling between the U.S. and Bermuda, Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean.
The change has created delays at passport agencies across the nation. The New Orleans Passport Agency, which processes applications from Tennessee residents, has announced that travelers should expect 10 week waits. Expedited passports will require three to four weeks.
Fees for a first-time passport application total $97 for adults and $82 for children under age 16. Passport renewals are $67 each. Expedited passport service will add $60 more per passport.
Gordon says his office has received an increased volume of calls from travelers who need help getting a quick return on a passport application.
“Waiting too long to apply can cause the costs to add up quickly,” said Gordon. “Expedited passports for a family of four people would add $240 to the cost of the trip. That can be quite a blow to a family vacation budget.”
For more information on passport application requirements, contact Gordon’s office at (615) 896-1986.
