Passport Rules Relaxed: Travelers May Use Photo ID and Official Proof of Application

Via email:

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Boehner today announced that the U.S. State Department has temporarily relaxed passport rules implemented this year.

Effective immediately, U.S. citizens traveling by air to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda who have applied for but not yet received a passport may use a government photo ID – such as a driver’s license – and official proof of application for a passport. Children under the age of 16 traveling with their parents will be permitted to use official proof of application. Travelers who have not applied for a passport should not expect to be accommodated.

“It’s important that we know who is traveling in and out of our country, but the long delays experienced by many in the 8th District and around the country are unacceptable,” Boehner said. “Temporarily easing the restrictions will allow the State Department to catch up on the backlog and give travelers peace of mind that their trips – whether vacation or business – won’t be cancelled.”

Boehner recently joined his colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice asking that the State Department’s website be updated to accurately reflect the processing times for passport applications. The website indicates standard applications will take 10 to 12 weeks while the expedited process will take two the three weeks. However, Boehner’s office found that standard applications were taking 12 to 16 weeks to process while expedited applications were taking three to six weeks.

“We understand that recent changes in Federal law, coupled with the busy summer travel season have led to the current passport processing backlog. However, we are concerned that six months after the change went info effect the problem of delayed passports has actually gotten worse,” the letter states.

The flex rules will be in effect until Sept. 30. Travelers should apply for a passport as early as possible. Application information may be found at http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html [Link].