For Immediate Release
March 22, 2007
Media Contact: Ray Yonkura
(202) 225-2676
Jordan Urges Residents to Plan Ahead for Passports
Washington, DC -- Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Urbana) encourages Fourth Congressional District residents to be aware of delays in passport processing by the Department of State.
U.S. residents traveling by air to and from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda are now required to have a valid passport or another accepted document that establishes the bearer's identity and nationality. This has greatly increased the demand for passports, resulting in longer processing times.
"In the past, it might not have hurt to wait, but in today's environment it's best to begin the passport application process as soon as you decide to travel," Jordan said.
A passport is not currently required to travel to these locations by land or sea, but will be required starting on January 1, 2008.
According to the State Department, the number of passport applications received over the last five months is roughly 45 percent higher than in the same period last year. Travelers are advised to allow ten weeks for processing of routine passport requests and four weeks for expedited processing.
"Planning ahead will help alleviate most problems, but my staff and I stand ready to assist individuals and families in any way we can," Jordan said.
To check on the status of a passport application or ask further questions, Jordan urged residents either to contact one of his district offices or to visit the State Department's special website at travel.state.gov.
