Help! My Passport Isn't Here Yet!
One of the most important things to consider when planning an international trip: Do you have a passport? When does it expire? When do I need to send off for it? What do I do if processing is delayed and it is getting close to travel?
If you have travel planned, the first thing you need to do is get your passport out and make sure it isn’t expired. Your passport needs to be in good shape and have at least 6 months of validity after your return date. If you need to apply for a new one, now is the time to do that. Check out my Passport 101 blog post for some passport tips.
But what happens if you already applied for a passport and it is delayed at a processing center? If you do not have you passport at least 14 days before departure you will want to get the ball rolling on some alternative options.
Call the facility that has your passport. Check your Passport status to determine the location processing center. A quick google search will pull up that locations phone number. Ask for a status update.
Schedule a back up in person appointment at a passport processing facility. You can schedule an appointment 14 days before travel but the appointment cannot be any sooner than 72 hours before travel. Appointments are limited. You may have to visit a facility that is not the closest to you.
Call 1-877-487-2778 from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm EST, Mondays through Fridays. Call right at 8am Monday morning. When you call you need to tell them that you travel on X date and need an appointment less than 3 days before departure. Using this method may mean you will need to fill out a new application, take new photos, obtain a birth certificate, and pay the processing fees. In some insistences, the facility can get your file from the existing processing facility. Ask for processing details when you make your appointment.
Call your congressman and request they expedite your passport process. This may seem over the top, but this has become standard practice when there are issues. You may need to call a few to get a hold of the person that can assist with expediting passport processing. They will need the info from the Check My Passport Status site as well as an additional form that they will request you fill out. Do this as soon as you receive it.
If you are in a situation where it looks like your passport may not make it, do all of these steps. The sooner (14 days before travel), the better.
