Platts Advises Constituents of New Passport Requirements

Citizens urged to apply as far in advance as possible to avoid travel delays

Washington, D.C. – In January, the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State launched the “Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative,” which requires all persons - including American citizens - traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda to now present a valid passport when re-entering the United States at any airport.  This change in passport travel requirements has precipitated an unprecedented demand for passports. As a result, many people have waited longer than predicted for their passports. 

“My office stands ready to assist constituents with their passport applications as the federal government continues to deal with this increased demand,” said Congressman Platts.

Congressman Platts’ office offers the following suggestions for travelers:

What advice do you have for travelers who have not yet applied for passports?

• Applying as far in advance as possible is always the best advice.
• Travelers who have not applied for passports should plan 10 to 12 weeks for standard passport processing and two to three weeks for expedited processing. 
• Complete information on how to apply for a passport is available at the Consular Affairs website, http://travel.state.gov.

What is your advice to travelers who have already applied for passports?

• Travelers who have applied for passports should monitor the status of the application online at http://travel.state.gov/passport.  The online status check will verify that the application is in process, and will update to confirm that the completed passport has been mailed.
• If a customer is within two weeks of travel and the website does not show that the passport is completed, travelers should call the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) at 1-877-487-2778 for information and assistance in arranging to have their passports ready for their trips.   

I haven’t applied yet and I need my passport soon.  How do I get expedited service for my passport application? 

• Applicants traveling in two to three weeks may apply using expedited service at their nearest passport acceptance facility.  Your nearest passport acceptance facility may be found at http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/.   
• Those traveling in less than two weeks who have not yet applied for a passport should contact the U.S. Department of State by email using the form at http://travel.state.gov/passport/about/npic/npic_896.html or by calling 1-877-487-2778 for information and to schedule an appointment.

For passport applicants with travel planned to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean in June, July, August or September 2007:

Due to longer than expected processing times for passport applications in the face of unprecedented demand, 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. 

What will be acceptable proof of application for a passport?

A print-out of the online status check accessed at http://travel.state.gov/passport, showing an application has been received by the Department of State. 

What documents are needed to enter Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean?

The Department of State provides some information of requirements for entering foreign countries at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html.  It is recommended that passport applicants, if traveling to these countries, obtain a certified or original copy of their birth certificate in order to travel without a passport, if necessary.

For more information on the above-discussed changes, please contact one of Congressman Platts’ district offices.