Passports

We are coming up on the June 1, 2009 date when the final stage of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will go into effect.  This essentially will mean that everyone who wishes to enter/re-enter the United States by ANY travel means will need to present a valid passport.

The Passport Agency has begun to see a sharp increase in applications for both new and renewal passports and are now slowly stretching the processing times out further - around 8 weeks for regular service, 3 weeks for expedite via mail.  To avoid panic and a repeat of the summer of 2007, PLEASE  heed the following:

Apply early - check your PP validity date now if you have travel scheduled within the next 4 months.

Consider paying the $60.00 extra for expedited service at the time of application if you are cutting your travel deadline close (within 8 weeks).  You can call the national hotline if you need to expedite after the fact.

If you are in need of a passport and are travelling within 14 days, you should visit a Regional Passport Office in person for same-day service or please visit www.travel.state.gov for detailed information.