 More and more Americans are discovering what was once a simple and rather efficient system for acquiring a U.S. Passport has developed into a more cumbersome and difficult process. In fact, hundreds of thousands of Americans who have applied for passports are still waiting for issuance, often forcing them to delay their international travel plans because of the extended time it takes to get a valid passport.
In fact, never before in the history of the U.S. Passport office has there been such a consumer rush to acquire a passport. Federal officials report the passport office has been clogged with a large volume of passport applications streaming into their offices in recent months and say the sheer volume of requests has caused a serious back log. The passport application process that once required a few weeks to complete can now take up to several months, and the process keeps getting slower as more applications continue to flood into federal offices.
The problem, of course, started with the change in passport regulations passed down by the State Department last year. Until that change, there was never a passport requirement to travel into and back from Mexico and Caribbean destinations. But thanks largely to 9/11 events in 2001, passport laws have changed, and that change is causing what has been described as a major blow to the travel industry.
 At fault are new requirements for passports for U.S. citizens to re-enter the country from Mexico and Caribbean nations. Effective this year, travelers who are using air transport or traveling by cruise ship must have a valid passport for re-entry into the United States.
But while this recent change has complicated travel in and out of the country for thousands of Americans, it’s the second phase of the new passport laws that is causing problems passport acquisition problems for Texas residents.
Effective in June of 2008, not only air and cruise ship travelers, but land travelers will be required to present a passport for travel into Mexico. So even day shoppers in Matamoros, Progreso and other border towns will have to show a passport in order to cross back across the border into Texas. Since a large percentage of Texas residents cross the border multiple times a year, this has caused a second rush on the passport office as locals scurry to get their passport applications filed ahead of the approaching deadline.
And while the regional U.S. passport processing center in Houston says the first phase of the new law has forced them to add additional manpower to meet the demand, the second phase is beginning to further complicate and slow the process, causing additional back logs that will delay issue times ever further.
Regardless whether you agree with the new passports laws or not one thing is for certain. If you plan crossing over international bridges beginning next June, you had better start the application process soon.
While most U.S. postal service offices accept passport applications, it is best to call ahead and make certain. In addition, post offices in Harlingen and McAllen in the Rio Grande Valley are already advising customers to call ahead and schedule a passport application appointment.
In Harlingen, for example, Postmaster Jeff Jenkins reports his office processes about 70 passport applications a day, a sizeable increase over normal numbers. In McAllen, postal officials say they have processed as many as 140 applications in one day, with Weslaco and Pharr post offices noting marked increases as well.
And it’s not just the post offices who are seeing marked increases in the number of passport applications. At the Cameron County courthouse officials are reporting they are processing about 220 applications in July. In Hidalgo county that number was about double. Even far from the border, like in Dallas, passport applications are up considerably, and the wait is not any better than in the Valley.
BEING PREPARED
Federal and county officials say to help speed your filing process, applicants should be well prepared with all the required documents and photographs.
To obtain a passport for the first time, you need to go in person to one of over 9,000 passport acceptance facilities located throughout the United States with two photographs of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification such as a driver’s license.
Acceptance facilities include many Federal, state and probate courts, post offices, some public libraries and a number of county and municipal offices. There are also 13 regional passport agencies, and 1 Gateway City Agency, which serve customers who are traveling within 2 weeks (14 days), or who need foreign visas for travel. Appointments are required in such cases.
You’ll need to apply in person if you are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time: if your expired U.S. passport is not in your possession; if your previous U.S. passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago; if your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16; or if your currently valid U.S. passport has been lost or stolen.
Renewal of a U.S. Passport
You can renew by mail if: Your most recent passport is available to submit and it is not damaged; you received the passport within the past 15 years; you were over age 16 when it was issued; you still have the same name, or can legally document your name change. You can get a passport renewal application form by downloading it from the U.S. Passport Web site. If your passport has been, altered or damaged, you cannot apply by mail. You must apply in person.
GET IT FASTER
If you need your passport urgently, generally in less than 2 weeks, you may contact one of our Passport Agencies listed below. All agencies take applications only by appointment. Please call in advance.
HOUSTON Passport Agency
Mickey Leland Federal Building
1919 Smith Street
4th Floor
Houston, TX 77002-8049
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., local time, M-F, excluding Federal holidays
Automated Appointment Number: 1-877-487-2778
NOTE: Houston Passport Agency serves customers who are traveling within 2 weeks (14 days), or who need foreign visas for travel. An appointment is required.
|
