Comments on: U.S. Passport problems http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/passport-info/us-passport-problems/ A critical look at nutritional science and anything else that strikes my fancy. Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:02:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Julie http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/passport-info/us-passport-problems/comment-page-3/#comment-48219 Julie Sat, 25 Aug 2007 00:17:00 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/?p=735#comment-48219 The real problem is not an incompetent government (although it clearly exacerbated the problem) but the number of Last-Minute Lucy's running to get their passports 2 weeks before they travel. Who in their right mind would plunk down thousands of dollars on a vacation - planning MONTHS ahead to purchase tickets, reserve hotels etc. and then wait until 2 weeks (or even 6 weeks) before they travel to take care of arrangements necessary to get back into the country? Apparently everyone as indicated by the many examples above. The government's error was in not anticipating the number of disorganized people that would be applying for passports at the last minute. That sudden and ongoing increase in expedited requests overwhelmed the expedite process (which has to take precedence over the regular service) pushing expedites from 2 weeks to 4 weeks to process and then pushing back the regular service from 1 month to 3 months. Even now with all the press coverage talking about delays, people who planned their trips months in advance are still rushing in to get their passports at the last minute and then whining about government inefficiency when you all aren't that efficient yourselves!!! <em>I guess you didn't read all the comments. Most people writing applied months in advance. My daughter-in-law applied several months in advance and was told that she should have her passport in a matter of weeks. In fact, the woman at the passport place told my DIL that she shouldn't spend the money (which she did spend anyway) to get expedited delivery because she had ordered it so far in advance that it would get there in plenty of time via the regular mail. It did not come in time even with expedited delivery. I'm curious. Which branch of the federal government do you work for? MRE </em> MRE The real problem is not an incompetent government (although it clearly exacerbated the problem) but the number of Last-Minute Lucy’s running to get their passports 2 weeks before they travel. Who in their right mind would plunk down thousands of dollars on a vacation – planning MONTHS ahead to purchase tickets, reserve hotels etc. and then wait until 2 weeks (or even 6 weeks) before they travel to take care of arrangements necessary to get back into the country? Apparently everyone as indicated by the many examples above. The government’s error was in not anticipating the number of disorganized people that would be applying for passports at the last minute. That sudden and ongoing increase in expedited requests overwhelmed the expedite process (which has to take precedence over the regular service) pushing expedites from 2 weeks to 4 weeks to process and then pushing back the regular service from 1 month to 3 months. Even now with all the press coverage talking about delays, people who planned their trips months in advance are still rushing in to get their passports at the last minute and then whining about government inefficiency when you all aren’t that efficient yourselves!!!

I guess you didn’t read all the comments. Most people writing applied months in advance. My daughter-in-law applied several months in advance and was told that she should have her passport in a matter of weeks. In fact, the woman at the passport place told my DIL that she shouldn’t spend the money (which she did spend anyway) to get expedited delivery because she had ordered it so far in advance that it would get there in plenty of time via the regular mail. It did not come in time even with expedited delivery.

I’m curious. Which branch of the federal government do you work for?

MRE

MRE

]]> By: June http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/passport-info/us-passport-problems/comment-page-3/#comment-43687 June Tue, 31 Jul 2007 14:01:49 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/?p=735#comment-43687 Thank you for the e-mail address your site has provided: littlefieldME@state.gov It was enormously helpful!!! I am a U.S. citizen residing in Canada, and applied to renew my passport more than three months ago. The State Dept. 877 number doesn't work in Canada (but it doesn't sound like I'm missing much!) and I couldn't get a useful human response via the various web forms I filled out to inquire about my status. One e-mail told me they needed my birthday to track it (even though it was clearly on the web form they responded to!). Another said they had no record of my application. One told me to contact the New Hampshire office, even though I sent my application to Philadelphia, and it appeared that some important supporting documents had been lost by them. I was ready to scream.... but after writing to the littlefield address above, I got an IMMEDIATE response within 24 hours, and was told my application had been upgraded to "expedite" and my passport was FedExed yesterday! Whew! Thanks again for your website. It is not only helpful, but therapeutic. It's nice to know that I am not the only one in passport purgatory. Cheers! June <em>Hi June--</em> <em>I'm glad you finally got some action.  What a nightmare.  Sorry you had to go through it. And I'm glad this site helped in some small way. </em> <em>Cheers--</em> <em>MRE </em> Thank you for the e-mail address your site has provided:
littlefieldME@state.gov

It was enormously helpful!!!

I am a U.S. citizen residing in Canada, and applied to renew my passport more than three months ago.
The State Dept. 877 number doesn’t work in Canada (but it doesn’t sound like I’m missing much!) and I couldn’t get a useful human response via the various web forms I filled out to inquire about my status.
One e-mail told me they needed my birthday to track it (even though it was clearly on the web form they responded to!). Another said they had no record of my application. One told me to contact the New Hampshire office, even though I sent my application to Philadelphia, and it appeared that some important supporting documents had been lost by them.

I was ready to scream….
but after writing to the littlefield address above, I got an IMMEDIATE response within 24 hours, and was told my application had been upgraded to “expedite” and my passport was FedExed yesterday!

Whew!

Thanks again for your website. It is not only helpful, but therapeutic. It’s nice to know that I am not the only one in passport purgatory.
Cheers!

June

Hi June–

I’m glad you finally got some action.  What a nightmare.  Sorry you had to go through it. And I’m glad this site helped in some small way.

Cheers–

MRE 

]]> By: June http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/passport-info/us-passport-problems/comment-page-3/#comment-43678 June Tue, 31 Jul 2007 13:21:07 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/?p=735#comment-43678 POSTSCRIPT! Ok, I found a generic e-mail status-check form on the State Dept. website. After three tries, I finally got a human response. At first they wouldn't give me any info. Then they said I should contact the New Hampshire office, even though I applied to the Philadelphia office. Then one e-mail said they couldn't find my application at all, but today they said the New Hampshire office sent it out yesterday!!! So I am happy, but not completely happy, if you know what I mean. I don't trust them to have the correct info., especially after that bizarre and disjointed e-mail exchange. So things are looking up, but I won't breathe a sigh of relief until it lands in my mailbox!! Cheers, June <em>I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.</em> <em>MRE </em> POSTSCRIPT!

Ok, I found a generic e-mail status-check form on the State Dept. website. After three tries, I finally got a human response. At first they wouldn’t give me any info. Then they said I should contact the New Hampshire office, even though I applied to the Philadelphia office.
Then one e-mail said they couldn’t find my application at all, but today they said the New Hampshire office sent it out yesterday!!!

So I am happy, but not completely happy, if you know what I mean. I don’t trust them to have the correct info., especially after that bizarre and disjointed e-mail exchange.
So things are looking up, but I won’t breathe a sigh of relief until it lands in my mailbox!!

Cheers,

June

I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you.

MRE 

]]> By: June Kuwata http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/passport-info/us-passport-problems/comment-page-3/#comment-43433 June Kuwata Mon, 30 Jul 2007 12:47:17 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/?p=735#comment-43433 Hello, It's nice to know that I am not the only one in passport purgatory! I don't know where to turn. I am a U.S. citizen residing in Canada and the 877 helpline doesn't work from here (although it doesn't sound like I'm missing much!). My local U.S. embassy/consular services office just gives me automated links to irrelevant depts. or back to generic U.S. sites and #'s. I applied to renew my passport almost FOUR months ago. This week I received a letter stating that they required proof of name-change. I have ALREADY submitted an original document with my application. It sounds like they have LOST it!!!!!! I am livid and frustrated and don't know what to do now. June <em>Hi June--</em> <em>Passport purgatory?  Sounds more like passport hell to me.</em> <em>Hope you get it all straightened out without too much more brain damage.</em> <em>Cheers--</em> <em>MRE </em> Hello,

It’s nice to know that I am not the only one in passport purgatory!
I don’t know where to turn.
I am a U.S. citizen residing in Canada and the 877 helpline doesn’t work from here (although it doesn’t sound like I’m missing much!).
My local U.S. embassy/consular services office just gives me automated links to irrelevant depts. or back to generic U.S. sites and #’s.

I applied to renew my passport almost FOUR months ago. This week I received a letter stating that they required proof of name-change. I have ALREADY submitted an original document with my application. It sounds like they have LOST it!!!!!!

I am livid and frustrated and don’t know what to do now.

June

Hi June–

Passport purgatory?  Sounds more like passport hell to me.

Hope you get it all straightened out without too much more brain damage.

Cheers–

MRE 

]]> By: Ana http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/passport-info/us-passport-problems/comment-page-3/#comment-42782 Ana Fri, 27 Jul 2007 01:48:10 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/?p=735#comment-42782 I am so glad i found this site as now I feel better knowing I am truly not alone in this passport mess! We are leaving on a family trip to Portugal on 8/2. After many calls and tons of time on hold we were able to get my husband's passport 2 days ago after he submitted for his renewal 12 weeks ago. He did not pay for expedited service as at that time we were still being told it would take 8-10 weeks. Now however, we are waiting on my daughters passport. She is 2 months old so needless to say, we couldn't apply to far in advance (we've been planning this trip since March). We submitted her paperwork, paid the expedited fee and for express delivery both ways. We still have not received hers. I'd also like to point out that I fibbed and told them we were leaving today. I am a government contractor and make it a practice to always give myself a "buffer". Each time I call someone tells me something different. I actually spoke to a woman yesterday at the 877 number that told me because I keep calling to check the status, and they've send emails prioritizing our passport, I've slowed down the process! What!?!? I have called my congressmans office and they are also trying to help us. I now have 1 week until my "true" travel date. I am so grateful for all the info everyone has submitted here. I'm going to try the task force first thing in the morning. We also heard that the Washington Agency takes walk-ins on Mondays- does anyone know anything about that? We were able to get an appt. but its on Wed, the day prior to our travel. If we are unable to travel we will not only be missing out on seeing my family but my cousins wedding as well as my daughters baptism. <em>Hi Ana--</em> <em>I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.  I'm glad you got some ideas from this site.  When I posted about my daughter-in-law's experience, I never dreamed that my blog would become the passport help center.  But I'm glad it did.  I hope it works for you.</em> <em>Keep me posted.</em> <em>Best--</em> <em>MRE </em> I am so glad i found this site as now I feel better knowing I am truly not alone in this passport mess! We are leaving on a family trip to Portugal on 8/2. After many calls and tons of time on hold we were able to get my husband’s passport 2 days ago after he submitted for his renewal 12 weeks ago. He did not pay for expedited service as at that time we were still being told it would take 8-10 weeks. Now however, we are waiting on my daughters passport. She is 2 months old so needless to say, we couldn’t apply to far in advance (we’ve been planning this trip since March). We submitted her paperwork, paid the expedited fee and for express delivery both ways. We still have not received hers. I’d also like to point out that I fibbed and told them we were leaving today. I am a government contractor and make it a practice to always give myself a “buffer”. Each time I call someone tells me something different. I actually spoke to a woman yesterday at the 877 number that told me because I keep calling to check the status, and they’ve send emails prioritizing our passport, I’ve slowed down the process! What!?!? I have called my congressmans office and they are also trying to help us. I now have 1 week until my “true” travel date. I am so grateful for all the info everyone has submitted here. I’m going to try the task force first thing in the morning. We also heard that the Washington Agency takes walk-ins on Mondays- does anyone know anything about that? We were able to get an appt. but its on Wed, the day prior to our travel.

If we are unable to travel we will not only be missing out on seeing my family but my cousins wedding as well as my daughters baptism.

Hi Ana–

I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.  I’m glad you got some ideas from this site.  When I posted about my daughter-in-law’s experience, I never dreamed that my blog would become the passport help center.  But I’m glad it did.  I hope it works for you.

Keep me posted.

Best–

MRE 

]]> By: Kevin http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/passport-info/us-passport-problems/comment-page-3/#comment-42133 Kevin Mon, 23 Jul 2007 19:03:17 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/?p=735#comment-42133 I cannot say how grateful I'm to all the wonderful message posted on this website. I got my passport this morning (07/23). My travel date is early morning (07/26). I called Phaedra at the task force 1-202-647-7948 last Friday (07/20). Apparently, the systems worked. Phaedra told me my passport was processed and approved on Saturday. I actually got a false scare Sunday afternoon when the on-line status showed my application changed from expedited-service to regular service. I know I'm incoherent because I still cannot believe the system can work so effectively! I am a naturalized US citizen in June. I really love this country more now. <em>Hi Kevin--</em> <em>I'm very happy that it all worked out for you.  Enjoy your trip.</em> <em>Cheers--</em> <em>MRE </em> I cannot say how grateful I’m to all the wonderful message posted on this website. I got my passport this morning (07/23). My travel date is early morning (07/26). I called Phaedra at the task force 1-202-647-7948 last Friday (07/20). Apparently, the systems worked. Phaedra told me my passport was processed and approved on Saturday. I actually got a false scare Sunday afternoon when the on-line status showed my application changed from expedited-service to regular service. I know I’m incoherent because I still cannot believe the system can work so effectively! I am a naturalized US citizen in June. I really love this country more now.

Hi Kevin–

I’m very happy that it all worked out for you.  Enjoy your trip.

Cheers–

MRE 

]]> By: Jeff http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/passport-info/us-passport-problems/comment-page-3/#comment-40522 Jeff Sat, 14 Jul 2007 14:39:14 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/?p=735#comment-40522 I read post #51 and 42 also and when I called the task force I found out that they are inputting "000-00-0000" for ssn to expedite the app process in some instances. we mailed our renewal on may 1 and nothing was in the system. after talking to a supervisor at the 202 number she provided a letter. this was on friday. this morning at 930 cst, fedex delivered my wifes passport. <em>Hi Jeff--</em> <em>I'm glad you got it in time.</em> <em>Cheers-- MRE </em> I read post #51 and 42 also and when I called the task force I found out that they are inputting “000-00-0000″ for ssn to expedite the app process in some instances. we mailed our renewal on may 1 and nothing was in the system. after talking to a supervisor at the 202 number she provided a letter. this was on friday. this morning at 930 cst, fedex delivered my wifes passport.

Hi Jeff–

I’m glad you got it in time.

Cheers–

MRE

]]> By: Vera http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/passport-info/us-passport-problems/comment-page-3/#comment-37623 Vera Thu, 28 Jun 2007 16:19:38 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/?p=735#comment-37623 First, I would like to thank Kelly (#42) and Mike (#51), although I found the latter after I have finally received the passport. The information offered was very valuable helping to make me feel little better and more in control. Calling the main Passport office # was like praying to Santa Claus, or a "black hole", feeling totally lost in a Kafka's Castle. Being doomed no matter what you do... I was very stressed out with passport renewal problems. My passport was valid till Jan, 8, 08, but the travel agency insisted that we need to have 6 months left after departure from South Africa (I had over 5 months). Anyway, on March 30, I have applied for a new passport and 11 weeks later it was not coming. I have called legislators, Governor's office, Clinton’s office, public advocate, representatives, you name it. I must have spent at least 50 hours on it including calling passport office where nobody responded and than the New Hampshire # where I finally got a response from a human. It looked like that I will not be able to go and we would lose all the money (travel insurance that we did get would cover only sickness not this). Anyway passport finally did come on Friday 6/22 one week before our departure and I drove to FedEx office to pick it up.. I don't know what finally helped and I made sure to call back and thank everyone who tried to help. The irony is that South Africa only insists on one month after departure and two empty pages in the passport. Maybe I did not have to go through this hell and I could have used my old passport? I do not know if Americans require the whole 6 months when returning back to the USA from another country. Anybody knows? <em>Hi Vera--</em> <em>I'm glad you got your passport in time.  I'm sure it's a huge load off your mind.</em> <em>Thanks for giving us the report. </em> <em>MRE </em> First, I would like to thank Kelly (#42) and Mike (#51), although I found the latter after I have finally received the passport. The information offered was very valuable helping to make me feel little better and more in control. Calling the main Passport office # was like praying to Santa Claus, or a “black hole”, feeling totally lost in a Kafka’s Castle. Being doomed no matter what you do…

I was very stressed out with passport renewal problems. My passport was valid till Jan, 8, 08, but the travel agency insisted that we need to have 6 months left after departure from South Africa (I had over 5 months). Anyway, on March 30, I have applied for a new passport and 11 weeks later it was not coming. I have called legislators, Governor’s office, Clinton’s office, public advocate, representatives, you name it. I must have spent at least 50 hours on it including calling passport office where nobody responded and than the New Hampshire # where I finally got a response from a human. It looked like that I will not be able to go and we would lose all the money (travel insurance that we did get would cover only sickness not this). Anyway passport finally did come on Friday 6/22 one week before our departure and I drove to FedEx office to pick it up.. I don’t know what finally helped and I made sure to call back and thank everyone who tried to help. The irony is that South Africa only insists on one month after departure and two empty pages in the passport. Maybe I did not have to go through this hell and I could have used my old passport? I do not know if Americans require the whole 6 months when returning back to the USA from another country. Anybody knows?

Hi Vera–

I’m glad you got your passport in time.  I’m sure it’s a huge load off your mind.

Thanks for giving us the report. 

MRE 

]]> By: U.S. Passport public service announcement » Michael R. Eades, M.D. http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/passport-info/us-passport-problems/comment-page-3/#comment-37323 U.S. Passport public service announcement » Michael R. Eades, M.D. Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:03:18 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/?p=735#comment-37323 [...] A truly industrious reader (who finally got his own passport) sent the following information for anyone having passport troubles. You can find more information by reading his full comment (#51) on this post. Good luck to all who are having trouble. [...] [...] A truly industrious reader (who finally got his own passport) sent the following information for anyone having passport troubles. You can find more information by reading his full comment (#51) on this post. Good luck to all who are having trouble. [...]

]]> By: Michael http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/passport-info/us-passport-problems/comment-page-3/#comment-37320 Michael Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:53:53 +0000 http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/?p=735#comment-37320 June 21st Just started calling today 14 days before a month long trip to Europe. I have included all tips so that it may help others. National Passport Center 1-877-487-2778 Passport status requests 1-606-526-7600 Washington passport desk at 202-647-7948. US Consular Task Force (WATCH DOG) 202-647-7948 US Department of State phone directory unclassified http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/82073.pdf The following is a list of the abbreviations you will see next to the employees name in the directory. Assuming you know where it’s being processed look for the following. Once you have found someone make sure you have your passport locater number, name, DOB, SS# ready. CA/PPT…………………………………………………….Office of Passport Services CA/PPT/BN…………………………………………………..Boston Passport Agency CA/PPT/CG………………………….……………………..Chicago Passport Agency CA/PPT/HH……………………..…………………………Honolulu Passport Agency CA/PPT/HN……………………………….………………..Houston Passport Agency CA/PPT/LA………………………………………….…Los Angeles Passport Agency CA/PPT/MM…………………………………………….……..Miami Passport Agency CA/PPT/No…………………………………...……….New Orleans Passport Agency CA/PPT/NPC……..……………………National Passport Center, Portsmouth, NH CA/PPT/NY……….……………………….………………New York Passport Agency CA/PPT/PA…………………….………………………Philadelphia Passport Agency CA/PPT/SE……….………………….……………………….Seattle Passport Agency CA/PPT/SF……………………..……………………San Francisco Passport Agency CA/PPT/SIA…………………………………………….……Special Issuance Agency CA/PPT/SM……………………….……………………….Stamford Passport Agency CA/PPT/WN……...…………………………………….Washington Passport Agency Email your congressman at http://www.house.gov/ Email your Senator http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm Just for fun call Maura Harty. Her line is 202-647-9576. Update: 25th of june Update: Just read this last night on the state travel site: We have finished processing your passport, and it has been mailed to you. You requested delivery by regular mail. Passport Agencies use Priority Mail. This means you should receive your passport on or about 06/30/2007. That would be 4 days before my trip... We will see Update: June 26th Final update!!! Just called the talk force and they gave me a fed ex tracking number that says the following: Jun 26, 2007 8:10 am On FedEx vehicle for delivery How happy am i!!! Wooohooo I have renewed faith in our system!!! With deepest sorrows for all of you who haven't received your passports in time for your trip. And to those who are panicking use the task force at 202-647-7948. Ask for Jamie or Dave they are great!!! Thank you all. <em>Hi Michael--</em> <em>Thanks on behalf of all the readers who will get their passport due to this info that you've uncovered and passed along. I'm going to use part of your comment for a post all its own. Hope you don't mind.</em> <em>Best and thanks again.</em> <em>MRE</em> June 21st

Just started calling today 14 days before a month long trip to Europe. I have included all tips so that it may help others.

National Passport Center 1-877-487-2778

Passport status requests 1-606-526-7600

Washington passport desk at 202-647-7948.

US Consular Task Force (WATCH DOG) 202-647-7948

US Department of State phone directory unclassified
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/82073.pdf

The following is a list of the abbreviations you will see next to the employees name in the directory. Assuming you know where it’s being processed look for the following. Once you have found someone make sure you have your passport locater number, name, DOB, SS# ready.

CA/PPT…………………………………………………….Office of Passport Services CA/PPT/BN…………………………………………………..Boston Passport Agency CA/PPT/CG………………………….……………………..Chicago Passport Agency CA/PPT/HH……………………..…………………………Honolulu Passport Agency CA/PPT/HN……………………………….………………..Houston Passport Agency
CA/PPT/LA………………………………………….…Los Angeles Passport Agency CA/PPT/MM…………………………………………….……..Miami Passport Agency CA/PPT/No…………………………………………….New Orleans Passport Agency
CA/PPT/NPC……..……………………National Passport Center, Portsmouth, NH CA/PPT/NY……….……………………….………………New York Passport Agency CA/PPT/PA…………………….………………………Philadelphia Passport Agency CA/PPT/SE……….………………….……………………….Seattle Passport Agency
CA/PPT/SF……………………..……………………San Francisco Passport Agency CA/PPT/SIA…………………………………………….……Special Issuance Agency CA/PPT/SM……………………….……………………….Stamford Passport Agency CA/PPT/WN…………………………………………….Washington Passport Agency

Email your congressman at http://www.house.gov/

Email your Senator http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Just for fun call
Maura Harty. Her line is 202-647-9576.

Update: 25th of june
Update: Just read this last night on the state travel site:

We have finished processing your passport, and it has been mailed to you.

You requested delivery by regular mail. Passport Agencies use Priority Mail. This means you should receive your passport on or about 06/30/2007.

That would be 4 days before my trip… We will see

Update: June 26th
Final update!!!

Just called the talk force and they gave me a fed ex tracking number that says the following:

Jun 26, 2007 8:10 am
On FedEx vehicle for delivery

How happy am i!!! Wooohooo

I have renewed faith in our system!!! With deepest sorrows for all of you who haven’t received your passports in time for your trip. And to those who are panicking use the task force at 202-647-7948. Ask for Jamie or Dave they are great!!! Thank you all.

Hi Michael–

Thanks on behalf of all the readers who will get their passport due to this info that you’ve uncovered and passed along. I’m going to use part of your comment for a post all its own. Hope you don’t mind.

Best and thanks again.

MRE

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