Major passport crunch as backlog grows | GMA
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 2 апр 2023
- Millions of Americans hoping to travel abroad are instead stuck in limbo in a mounting backlog of passport applications.
SUBSCRIBE: bit.ly/2Zq0dU5
SIGN UP to get the daily GMA Wake-Up Newsletter:
gma.abc/2Vzcd5j
VISIT GMA: www.goodmorningamerica.com
FOLLOW:
TikTok: / gma
Instagram: / goodmorningamerica
Facebook: / goodmorningamerica
Twitter: / gma
#passport #travel #internationaltravel #gma 
Развлечения
This is why I always renew my passport a whole year in advance of it expiring and never have issues
yup, common sense.
I renew mine the day after I receive it.
But you're still unable to travel until you receive the new passport since you surrender the old one. Plus you throw away a year off the PP.
Doesn't really help, regardless of how far in advance you apply, you're in limbo during the application process since you have to send in your old passport.
@@BobSmith-yo6ib in practice it's really about 6 months since it's basically useless within 6 months of expiring.
I applied, non-expedited, for my daughter and myself on Jan 26th and received them on March 23rd. It took nearly 6 weeks just for the site to even show "in process" but that was only for my daughter's; mine never changed from "not available" the entire time. I'm grateful they finally came because it was definitely holding up purchasing tickets and our visas. All I can say is do not put off tomorrow for what can be done today and have patience 🙂
You're lucky, we applied a few weeks before you and still haven't received ours.
Applied on Jan 20, online showed "in process" the whole time when the passport center had told me that I'd receive my passport by mid to late March. The original wait time posted online was 6-9 weeks. Then they extended it to 10-13 weeks in mid March. Had to call their 800 # 3 times and remained on hold for 3-4 hrs each time before I could reach a live person. Most of them unhelpful. Finally managed to expedite the processing about a week ago and got my passport yesterday. Caught a bad cold right before my trip due to all the stress. They should just state on their site that it takes 6 months for them to process an application. That would have set proper expectations and allowed travelers to apply early.
I agree. At the post office, she said they were being told 6 weeks to process, when I told her the signature pad was saying 12-16 weeks. Because of this, I already had in my mind excellent if it came within her suggested time frame, but accepted if it didn't.
They are too good to issue passport for permanent resident card holders and that'll take a year and 6 months to do so with travel documents.
I keep seeing reports like this, but got my passport in 4 1/2 weeks without paying the expedited fee.
Btw, these timelines don’t include “mailing times” of 2-4 weeks. It could take the DOS up to 4 weeks before it gets ingested into their system. At that point is when the 7-9 week or 10-13 week timeline starts.
If your trip is coming up and you still don’t have your passport, there are ways! Contact the office of either one of your US Senators or Representative because they do this regularly for constituents. I applied for a renewal on January 24, and back then the wait was 6-9 for routine. The postal worker who helped us told use we could expect them at the latest on March 28. Our trip is April 19. We still didn’t have them on April 5, so I contacted my Senator’s office. They were on it in two hours. I had my passport in hand two days later. Worst case scenario, they would have made me an appointment at our local passport agency for same day service (I realize that not everyone lives close the one).
I went and did my first new Passport Book and Card application at my local Post Office on February 27th and got my Passport book on March 27th and my Passport Card on April 7th.I expedited my Passport Application and it was the best thing I’ve could have done.
Last month I sent my expired passport using the non-expedited service and received my new passport in just three weeks! I was completely taken aback by how fast it was processed. I used the online PDF to fill out the form instead of handwriting it. It's important to carefully read and follow all instructions like taking accurate photos with four staples on each corner instead of two, supplying payment correctly and signing the form in BLACK ink, not blue! Small mistakes probably causes major delays in the approval process and even passport renewal services can mess up applications. So be extra careful to avoid any holdups in the approval of your application.
I lucked out, too. Mine came quickly and my application was hand written. I’d do it the way you did it (if I had to do it again) because it isn’t easy to write neatly in the little squares and I was worried about it.
I renewed mine 6 months in advance after hearing about the last such backlog. I was pleasantly surprised to get my new passport in about 5 weeks and my expired/invalidated passport about 2 weeks after that.
BTW, your old passport isn’t valid for travel of course, but it is still a valid ID. Pack it separately from your current passport. Should you lose your current one while abroad, you can present your old one at an American embassy and it’ll be easier to get a new one.
Not sure if it's technically valid after it get's hole punched; YMMV
This is not true and nonsense
@@eddunn3021 Not necessarily. It’s not likely to be useful in getting a RealID, and it may or may not get you into a bar, but an embassy ought to be able to key in the number and see all passports issued in your name, including the valid one you lost.
Then you will get pulled aside by tsa for why you carry 2 passport
@@wilfredoortiz3820 Not necessarily. Many people have dual,citizenship and carry 2 passports.
So glad I got mine done last year -- only took 2 months without expedited fees :)
went to the local office, only took 2 days
Same
Got my passport last year and only took 4 be weeks. Glad I did not wait
Damn, I waited to renew my passport because of Covid. I applied for my passport online on January 3 and didn’t receive it in the mail until April 4. It took exactly 3 months to get my passport. I did not pay for expedited processing or fast shipping. Fortunately my trip isn’t until July, but I still stressed the whole time my passport was not in my hands.
I wish these articles would give people REAL hints and tips on how you can better prepare your application: by using the online PDF to fill it out vs. handwriting, following all instructions accurately when taking photos, supplying payment and necessary documents, and ensuring you sign the damn form. So many applications get held up b/c people miss small things.
Also, I sent mine in and paid for an expedited renewal...got is back in less than 2 weeks to the DAY I mailed it to Philly! It pays to follow instructions.
Except much of the delays have nothing to do with filling it out properly. Of course, not doing it properly can cause delays, but doing everything right is no guarantee that your application won't take extra time.
@@jon9103 🤦🏾♂️
@@A22DNAL It's actually pretty simple, most of the wait time is in the "recieved" state meaning they haven't even looked at the application yet so how you filled it out has nothing to do with it. You might not like being wrong but you are.
@@jon9103 double🤦🏾♂️
Was that recently? I’m about to send mine off.
I called non-stop for a week (kept getting busy signal) to upgrade to expedited. Once I actually got the phone to ring, I was on hold for 4.5 hours!!!
We just got ours back. It took 9 weeks. Sent in mid February and got it back last week for a trip at the end of May. We did not expedite our application.
I applied for renewal Dec 6, 2022 and just received mine on April 4, 2023 (two weeks before travel) after reaching out to my local congressman and then senator. My online application has yet to be updated, still notes as "in process" so the online portal is not accurate and does not stay up to date. Your congressman may be able to help!
Renewed my passport for a trip in June last October, received it in the mail 4 weeks later.
I'm so glad I renewed mine in 2019. I feel so bad for anyone paying express fees right now.
In Saudi Arabia, you apply to renew your passport on a passport mobile app and receive it by registered mail within 3 business days 🤷🏻♂️
The first time I applied for a passport I was told to allow 3 months for it to show, that was in 1995. I think I got it in 3 weeks or so. But my whole life I've never heard anything other than "allow 3 months".
I applied my passport last October and it only took 3 weeks without expedited fees
Not a new problem. I sent mine in winter 2021 and it took over 6 months WITH expediting to renew.
Puhhh-lease! I did expedited renewal in January of this year and I’m still waiting 😒
@@Prophet-Yosef have you checked the status? Won't make it go any faster but at least you can make sure they received it.
Complete disaster. I was in this same situation. Submitted in January, paid for expedited when it was supposed to be 3-5 weeks at that time, luckily received less than a week before my trip in late March. I spent hours on the phone, literally 10 hours on hold one time.
I got mine in 12 weeks instead of 6-8 weeks
They make it like it’s just happening now. Got mine renewed last year, non expedited, regular shipping. Took 3 months. People looking travel abroad need to get passport first before planing a trip. Pretty simple. Unless it’s a business trip, foreign travel is a luxury. 😄
Nonsense, seeing family isn't a luxury. Business is less important.
stop complaining@@jon9103
I'm glad I applied for my passport back in November, and got it several weeks later in December.
I didn't even pay the expedited fee.
We applied in the middle of February for our baby and got it 4 weeks later with expedite
1:18 damnnnn🤯 I got mine renewed at the end of 2020 when everyone was too scared to go out.. I got it within 3 days (expedited)
I just need it in 3 months. I think I’ll likely get it closer to my flight leaving home !
😂😂😂 These people are writing their own sad Walt Disney scripts!!
You apply on time but they go over and you're not allowed to book an appoint until 5 calendar days before but counting weekends that could only be 3 days, but those who don't even bother to the last minute can book a full two weeks early. No guarantees either way, but that means the person waiting till the last minute has a better chance of getting an appointment than someone who did the responsible thing by applying 3 months in advance. BS.
You can't renew your passport if it has expired and was issued over 15 years ago. You will have to start a new application. Worse yet, you have to make an appointment to apply in person and the USPS does not even have any available appointment for weeks.
I renewed my passport online mid Jan and it was finally shipped last week. My advice is to email if you see your status is not changing.
Wow I am so glad I got mines done in January 26 paid for expedited service and received mines like the second week of February as I have a trip booked to go out of the country in a few weeks so glad I got mine done
I've been waiting for over a month and the website only says they received it, but no movement.
It just took me 2 months to renew mine. But why would this guy wait until the last minute to renew it?
good luck getting an appointment 2 weeks in advance. i saw somewhere someone called for an appointment and the only office that had time before she left was hawaii. they were on the east coast. i have heard before though theres a way you can get it instantly without an appointment if you go directly to dc but dont know how true that is
If there is any truth to the DC thing, it's probably only if you're connected.
Whole process needs to be overhauled. Was told I need to call within two weeks of my trip for an appt. Called to make an appt was told no openings then got hung up on.
I dual citizenship and for my other passport i can just go to the embassy take a picture there and wait about 2h to get it but i get it the same day. I think the US should do this for the passport process as well. Like if you going to get a driver's license. 1 day process
I applied last year in May and still nothing to date
I renewed mine last year , a month after it expired. I printed the documents online and filled it out , turned it into the post office, and got it a month later. Expedited, no problems at all.
Applied for mine in early Feb with plans for August. So I'm not worried....yet.
Same except my plans are for June so I’m a little worried now
No one should book a trip before making sure their passport is in order.
See, this is why I book a quick international trip if I need mine renewed from now on, because I can go to the passport office and get it renewed on the same day. I like to get what I purchase on the same day so that’s why I went to Cabo Mexico in addition to staying at my very first all inclusive resort.
I sent the renewal in beginning of February. Im just now yesterday received an alert that it's in the mail 2 months later. Crazy
I was told 10-13 weeks for regular and 7-9 weeks for expedite at USPS, so that sounds normal
My application status shows still "in process" since October 2022. Got an email saying it was approved in January. Later the same day got an email saying it was "in process" again. Last year I was able to talk to an agent through their main number, but was told they couldn't help or expedite because my application still showed the application was in process. They told me to keep checking the online status which has not changed since 10/11/22. Now you can't even talk to anyone through their main line. I try calling at least twice a week and it is perpetually busy. They must have a mess on their hands!
I applied in Nov 2022 it took 14 weeks. It's called hurry up and wait.
Sounds more like an ad than anything. “Pay the $60 expedited fee to get it faster…but it will still take months.”
I applied renewal online on 01/04, just got the passport TODAY (04/05), it took 3 months. I’m in California btw.
Regular or expedited?
@@soapgirlsrule keep in mind that standard processing time then was supposed to be 6 to 9 weeks which is shorter than the expedited time now.
@@soapgirlsrule regular
Huh, I got my passport renewed last year in August and it only took 4 weeks (I chose to expedite, though). 7-9 weeks is crazy
Received my sons passport in 4 weeks after expideted processing. Applied end of February and received end of March.
I did expedited renewal end of January. I’m still waiting friend.. smh.
Wait time back then was 3-5 weeks, by March it was 5-7, now it's 7 to 9 for "expedited" service.
Same. Paid for renewal in early February. Paid expedited fee and received in March. 5 weeks later.
Not me! Just received mine last week!
Sounds like the agency needs to get its act together. If you applied for a renewal in the winter, your passport should be ready like…now.
Mine and my son's passport was lost.stolen (idk) and didn't realize until airbnb asked for the IDs. Was able to get an appt the same day I was traveling. Got my passport within 4 hours . Thankfully my appt was at 8AM and my flight was at 8PM.
I call BS on the estimates for Expedited. I had to wait 13 weeks even with an expedited renewal application.
I did my renewal like 3 weeks ago, had to expedite it and it was a 5-7 wait and it got approved and will be in the mail tomorrow
Same here 3 weeks ago and still processing 😞
I did an expedited renewal in January and still waiting to receive it.. smh.
Where do you call to expedite it?
I applied, not renewing. There’s one number on the website, but they never pick up!
@@jeremyagosto-santana5280 it was an option on the Form you send in mail
If you are near an airport office, you can get an emergency passport in person. The trip has to be under 14 days. You get your passport the same day
I have a trip in less than 14 days. My infant needs his passport. After calling and calling for days (they don't even pick up the phone). They gave me the option of doing it in person. The only available appointment is in Seattle, Washington..... I live in San Jose, California. 😢
Expediting or in person doesn't work. This whole situation is ridiculous.
What is an "airport office"? Do you mean just live bear an airport? What office sells an immediate passport? Never heard of this before. Thanks.
i guess this doesn’t apply to us consular services abroad. from application to passport in hand, no more than 3 weeks…
I applied for first time for passport on January 27th 2023 and got my passport on April 2nd regular service delivery and my passport card came today.
I was able to apply online in January and just received the passport on April 4!
I’ve been waiting for my passport since November… the 6-9 weeks/now 10-13 weeks is long passed! 🤨
Have you checked the status? Make sure they received it and haven't sent the new passport to you yet (e.g. it's possible the USPS lost it).
It sucks, I paid extra to get expediated service in Feb, still waiting.
I see you Passport Bros 🛫😂
Its going take months no matter if you expedite it or not. Side note, your not going get any updates until a week before its ready. Speaking from experiences. Its best to do these types of things a year in advance.
I applied mine on 01/21 (routine) and got it delivered on 04/08.
WE NOT TRAVELING
WE LEAVING YALL AZZ 🇺🇸
I applied for my renewal December 28 & I still haven’t got mine as of April 6. Have talked to them several times & it still says on line that it is in process. Try to call now & always get a busy signal. I had to cancel my trip that was scheduled for April 8 . I figured 4 months was plenty long, no need to expedite!
Citizens living in the US are being played. I got my passport renewed while living abroad. It took all of 2 weeks to get the new one, no expedited fee required.
Got mine renewed 4 months ago. Only took like 30 days?
Mine was expiring in December and I applied in March and just got it in April. The whole process was 7 weeks (I didn’t expedite it). My friend expedited it and it came within 4 weeks.
One of the problem is people already known about this delay in the passport office and yet they do not start the process enough early and wors even they think that paying the fee for faster service they will get it right away and that is false we are millions of US citizens asking for a US Passport so we have to wait in the line.
geez I just sent mine in 2 weeks ago... thank god I have no international flights to catch any time soon
The problem is that most people expect smooth sailing and don't prepare for rough seas. I always hope for the best, but expect the worst. I renewed right before the pandemic and got my passport in five weeks. I got lucky and was pleasantly surprised, but I wouldn't count on it happening again anytime soon. You all didn't mention that they estimate it will be up to two weeks before they even get your passport for processing after you mail in the application and up to two weeks for you to get your passport back once they are done processing it. Up to four weeks added to whatever time it took to process your passport. I don't know why people wait and assuming everything will be fine. Don't wait until you need a passport to get one. Just get one so you have it when you need it. I got my first passport in my mid 20's and have had a valid one for over 40 years. It is recommended that you renew your passport NINE months before it expires.
Humble braging pos
9 months isn't long enough, our have been in the "received" state for over 3 months, so they haven't even began processing and it was supposed to take 6 to 9 weeks. Most countries require at least 6 months after your expected departure so realistically you need to apply around a year in advance.
Of course if everyone follows that advice it will make the lines that much longer for a while, so better make it 18 months...
Hello. I got a passport until Aug 2024 since it will almost 10 years. What should I do in this case?
People just expect everything quick. They don't prepare. They were hugged too much as a child lol
Renewed my 11-yr old daughter’s passport on 2/13 and got it in the mail on 4/3. It was just regular processing.
Lucky I renewed mine on Feb 8 and haven’t received yet and I am traveling in 2 months
I renewed in January expedited and had my new passport 5 weeks later. I did it the old way by mailing my old passport instead of the new online system. You would think that would be slower but it seems like I got mine a lot faster than most people that are using the online system.
Because everyone wants to travel. My rural USPS had 3-5 appointments for passport applications before covid daily. Now every weekday we have fully booked appointments (guess who gets blamed for US Department of State's slow process on applications when all USPS does was proofreading and transfer them there?)
Renewed mine in 2021....took 3-4 months. Didn't care, couldn't travel anyway. But renewing is a heck of a lot easier than re-applying. Also, the passport card is 100% worth getting for the extra $30
What is the benefit of passport card? I got one for my daughter. But, not sure where to use that.
@@PhilStinnet A passport card can be used as ID for domestic flights. It cannot be used for international flights, except land and sea travel to select countries/islands.
Their "estimates" are BS we applied when the standard processing time was 6 to 9 weeks, it's now been in "received" status for over 15 weeks meaning they haven't even started processing it but they have acknowledged receipt. We can't apply for an urgent appointment until 5 calendar days before but since they aren't open on weekends that really means 3 days but at which point all appointment slots will be filled since those who didn't bother to apply ahead of time can book the spots 14 days ahead of time. Complete BS policy, rewards people who make the situation worse.
Call them and pay the expedited fee and express shipping . We got ours in 3 days after months of waiting
Trevor
I miss watching you on KOIN 6 News in Portland Oregon!
I would pay to get mine processed quickly
Soon as I return from my Jordan trip in Oct 2021, I submitted my renewal. I know I have time until my next trip. It took 6 months to get a new book back, I'm ready for my next trip to Machu Pichu
You can’t call anyone! You can’t check online! March 1, 23 I renewed my PP & paid for expedited shipping. Here it is April 8 & I haven’t gotten any updates online, in the mail, I can’t call to speak to anyone & my trip is in May 25th. I’m so irritated by this.
It's going to take 7-9 weeks. So technically they have a few more weeks to get it to you. But you can check the Status online
Took us three months to get ours. Applied in Jan 2023. Just received yesterday!!!
does this happen every year?
But...but...but...They cashed my check so quickly.
This is why you go for the expedited service in person, in and out within 2hrs 💯
Surprised as I was I checked the time for my own country. It's seems to be 5 working days and 2 working days for the fast procedure.
I guess in the USA they want you to pay for the expedited processing
It took exactly one month with the expedited fee.
I was just at the DMV to get a REAL ID and was so happy the lines were super short but the workers were barely trained. It took them an hour to approve my passport as a form of ID. Maybe their computer system is a mess too.
You can get it same day if you have purchased a traveling ticket and have a valid excuse to get it same day
I applied in Jan and got mine at the start of March right before all of this! 😮💨
Wasn't there a thing about a person in office saying that all Americans must have a passport or be deported? Wonder if this is what is really going on.
I applied and they received march 22 2023. Still in process. I wonder how much longer? Mine is number 79;;
Mine took 4 weeks😅
I got mine within a few weeks of applying. My birth certificate came in later surprisingly
Good to know, thanks!
Glad I applied for my passport in September 2022. We got ours within 6 weeks.
Did mine at the beginning of February and got it April 14th
i applied in december and got it in February it was pretty quick
Is this for new Passport requests, renewals or both?
Both
First time passport applicant here I really don’t need it till next June so I’m glad I didn’t wait and do last minute
I applied on line the beginning of January, 2023, and finally received my passport this week (April 5, 2023). I was very happy to see it, particularly since I depart for France in two weeks.