Passport Renewals Taking Several Months
General Topic
Contributors to this thread:
I applied for a passport renewal back in February, and was told at that time it would take approximately 4 weeks to process, which was fine because my Canadian fishing trip was scheduled for late June. Now, 3 months later, my renewed passport has not arrived, yet.
Upon calling the US Department of State, I was told that applications could take up to 7 MONTHS to process due to Covid-related delays. So, even if the Canada border is opened on June 21st, as currently scheduled, I probably won't be able to travel there without a valid passport.
I just wanted to forewarn those of you who may be in the same boat as me.
Matt
Got to love government efficiency! I bet apps for passports is down 90% in the same time.
If push comes to shove, use an expediter (presuming those services are still operating).
Matt,
I'm not sure an "expediter" would help under these circumstances. Apparently, the department that processes passports has been gutted to a bare minimum staff, with no time frame on when a normal staff will return.
I can't help feeling this is just another attempt to discourage international travel right now, and further suppress our freedoms.
Matt
Is your driver's lic. the enhanced version? If so that still might be valid to cross from Canada back into the US. OK just started to produce the enhanced lic. so I was forced to have the passport long ago. Travel to Canada, or anywhere for that matter, may be real iffy over the summer.
Yes, I have the enhanced driver's license, but I doubt that will suffice to get me across the border from the US to Canada. I'm certainly not driving up there from Colorado on a hunch that my DL will suffice.
BTW, is it a prerequisite that any federal employee must be an absolute a-hole over the phone when dealing with the general public? I wanted to reach thru the phone and grab the pencil neck of the jerk I spoke with at the USDS.
Matt
That sucks Matt
Don't think there is much that can be done right now. There are expedited services available now but ONLY for life or death emergencies. I'm pretty sure fishing is not going to qualify for those services
We sent some through for some of our clients in early Feb but we had them walked through 2-3 day service. They made it before this disaster all started.
I hope it gets sorted out for you quickly
Matt, A bit of research seems to show that the passport is necessary! I may have mixed up that the enhanced lic. allows plane travel within the US.
I am in the same situation, my passport renewal was shipped out but who knows when it will be issued, just another thing to worry about I guess.
Thanks RK.
The worse part of this is our fishing trip is primarily for my favorite uncle. He lost his wife of 60 years 2 years ago, and he's been steadily declining ever since. He told his son (my cousin) that looking forward to this fishing trip was the only thing that was keeping him going right now. I fear if the trip doesn't happen, I'll be attending another funeral, soon.
Matt
Might be worth seeing if Canada and US on reentry will accept a slightly expired passport due to Covid issues. I know there is a difference between local authorities and crossing a border but with things like driver license and car tags they have not been enforced if expired during the Covid.
John,
The problem with that is they send in your old passport with the renewal application. So, I don't even have an expired passport to show.
Matt
I don't think they want you to go. I am surprised I'd figure they the US government would want to get you out of the country. ;)
Can you claim asylum from the persecution of the evil Trump regime?
grey Ghost you can cross border if you are essential worker.
"Matt, I'm not sure an "expediter" would help under these circumstances. Apparently, the department that processes passports has been gutted to a bare minimum staff, with no time frame on when a normal staff will return."
If only there was a way to ask so you would know. If only.....
I just got off the phone with the passpart renewal department. She stated they were short staffed and will be until they are allowed to due to shut downs. She said it could be many months is it stays the way it is now. When I went to renew my passport it was already after the corona virus had started so there was no option to expedite the process. She said to go to travel.state.gov and click on the yellow tab "covid 19 update". They apparently continue to update the latest info. She said once they open back up fully they will allow you to upgrade to the expedited process which should hopefully help.
In the grand scheme of things, a lost fishing trip isn't the end of the world. The lost time spent with a dwindling loved one will hurt much more.
Rob, sorry to be the bearer of bad news. You have much more riding on your passport renewal than I do. Hopefully the feds will have their sh** together by the time you need your passport this fall.
Matt
GG. That double sucks for sure Hope something positive happens soon with all of that
They cashed my check and processed mine on March 9th. I never received it. When I check on line it says "processing". I called two weeks ago and initially was told the same thing as NJbuck. After pressing her a little bit she admitted that the is no one processing passports, there is not a limited staff and they won't start up again until this is completely over.
Matt.... no need for lost time with your Uncle. Be flexible and plan a fishing trip somewhere in lower 48. Northern Minnesota, Wisconsin comes to mind.
Confident the journey and time spent together will mean all to your Uncle. You can make it memorable.
Don't surrender, adapt.
According to USDS statistics, over 20 million passports are processed per year. That's roughly 1.7 million per month. So, when the processing department get's back to work, there will be several million backlogged applications. If you applied this year, my guess is you won't see your passport until some time in 2021. I guess that's the best we get for our tax dollars.
Matt
I hear you, Dan. My cousin and I have already discussed the option of staying in the lower 48. If anything, I'll travel to MO and spend a week with my Uncle doing whatever he wants to do.
Matt
Hard to envision that passport renewal couldn't get creative like so many other entities and businesses have done, and find a way to keep going. The TSA is still going, the Postal Service, banking systems, food supply chains, etc. Then again, government bureaucracies are not famous for their ability to adapt and think out of the box.
Matt,
Hope you can resolve this. My passport card needed to be renewed by May 31st for my annual bear hunt. I did it right after the first of the year and had a new one within 3 weeks. Covid sure has changed much, this fiasco needs to be on Pat's thread.
Good luck Buddy!
Call your Congressman's local office and ask them to get involved.
TSA is still going because there are no customers going through.
I think you’ve been red flagged :)
JL's Link
I believe a valid military ID card (Retired/Active/Reserve??) will work when crossing between Canada and the US. If you have that, I would also bring your birth certificate. Anyone can call the Canadian border folks where you're crossing and see if that still works.
JL's Link
Forgot to add this link talking about it.
Matt, I've only fished it a couple times, but the fishing is outstanding at Lake of the Woods in Northern Minnesota.
There are a lot of resorts with guides and they really kill the walleyes. For the price difference of going to Canada you could easily stay at a full service resort and have a great time with your uncle.
I'm sure there are some northern Minnesota boys on here that know the lake and could steer you to a great resort.
Bob,
Thanks. MN is definitely a possibility.
Matt
grey Ghost i wish i could give you my essential worker id that will get you across.