Passport backlog leads to relaxed restrictions for Americans
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Posted on: June 14th, 2007 by Jennifer Jones
After introducing new regulations requiring American citizens to carry passports even on visits to neighboring Canada and Mexico, the U.S. State Department is so backlogged with applications that it is unable to cope. In the face of a flood of passport applications, the State Department has relaxed requirements, allowing that Americans can go abroad in North America if they carry proof of their citizenship in addition to proof that they have applied for the passport.
The relaxed restrictions will be in place until September 30, when the State Department projects that it will have dealt with the backlog. Until then, if Americans want to travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean, and can’t get a passport in time, they should carry with them:
- An original or certified birth certificate
- U.S. Passport Application Status document (official proof from the State Department that you have applied for the passport)
- Government issued photo identification such as a driver’s license
The US Passport Application Status document can be printed from the State Department’s website where it is also possible to track the status of your passport.
If it sounds too easy, it might be: most people submit their birth certificates with their passport application.
Boma
I don’t get it. If your passport is with the State Department and you can’t get your passport and your birth certificate is with the State Department and you can’t get your birth certificate… how does this solve the problem?
Christi
Apprently, if you are one of these super prepared people, you would already have a certified copy of your passport with you. Actually, it’s a good idea to have one although many places don’t accept them anyways. Of course, if you didn’t do this before submitting your application, you’re hooped.