Passports Update

Via email:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) today commended the U.S State Department for continuing to work through the backlog of passport applications that occurred due a rules change earlier this year. Passport Services continues to hire specialists to process passport applications, and the number of applications pending has dropped to 2.5 million.

The agency has set a goal of reducing the application processing time from the current 10 to 12 weeks down to eight weeks by the end of September, and down to six weeks by the end of the year. The Departments of State and Homeland Security temporarily eased rules requiring all U.S. citizens traveling by air to Canada , Mexico , the Caribbean and Bermuda to carry a passport; the restriction will be re-instated Sept. 30.

“I’m pleased to see the State Department making progress in clearing the backlog of passport applications before the new rules are put back in effect,” Boehner said. “While it’s important that we know who is traveling in and out the country, we must balance that with our constituents’ need to make travel plans without worrying whether their passports will be ready in the timeframe quoted by the agency. We continue working with Ohio 8th District constituents who encounter problems with their passport applications.”

Passport Services is on-track to issue 17 million passports by the end of the fiscal year, having issue more than 13 million passports year-o-date. Last year, 12 million passports were issued. From July 19 through July 25, the service issue 492,129 passports – beating the previous record set the week before by almost 15,000 passports.

A processing center in Hot Springs , Arkansas , opened in March with the single mission of printing and mailing passports. Soon, all Passport Agencies will be able to electronically transmit information on approved applications so that passports can be printed and mailed within 24 hours of an agency center receiving the data. Passport Services has recruited retirees with significant training and experience to help process the backlog of applications – currently 90 retirees have returned to help.

The National Passport Center now has a staff of more than 500 representatives to handle public inquiries, and temporary call centers have been set-up for overflow calls. Travelers with imminent plans will soon be able to schedule appointments at Passport Agencies online. Additional representatives are available for Congressional inquiries on passport applications. All Passport Agencies are working overtime on weekdays and weekends to process applications.

Anyone who paid for expedited service but believe the application was processed within the expedited timeframe can request a refund of the $60 fee through the passport center website, [Link]. Regular application or processing fees are not refundable.

Travelers should apply for a passport as soon as possible when making plans. Application information may be found at [Link]