Passport Question

[custompcsys]

This is a long shot, but I'm going to ask on the off chance this has happened to someone here and you can shed some light on this fun experience. A group of 6 of us are on the Diamond next month. In early May, those who didn't have passports applied for them (I know they aren't mandatory for this itinerary but just thought it was more convenient). Everyone got them already except 2 folks who applied at the same post office the same day. One of them just received a letter from the State Dept today indicating that their application wasn't completed by "an authorized person". Seems the post office they went to didn't do their part correctly. The other person hasn't gotten the passport or a letter, and trying to get status on the phone is impossible.

 

The letter said to go back to the post office with a new completed passport application, have them do their part correctly, and send the new application back to them along with the letter requesting the correction. The State Dept. held on to the pictures and birth certificate and said they would complete the processing once they got the form completed correctly. Problem now is that we're less than 4 weeks from departure.

 

I contacted a passport expediting service just for yucks to see if they could help, but they won't get involved since the application is still in the system. They suggested paying the $60 expediting fee when he went back to the post office so that they will rush the processing. Having dealt with government agecies before, I shudder to think what is going to happen!

 

Has this happened to anyone else? If so, how were you able to resolve it and how long did it take? Thanks :)

[calikak]

I don't have any experience with this particular situation, but it sounds like a phone call to get another certified copy of the birth certificates is a good idea, in case they can't get the passport to you in time. Then they can still get on the ship, with the birth certificates and drivers' licenses. Also, if you have a passport office near you (they're in some major cities) maybe a visit there could help to speed things up?

[custompcsys]

Thanks Calikak - no passport office near us, closest would be Boston which is a 4 hour drive each way. We've already discussed another copy of the birth certificates as our Plan B, but we're hoping Plan A can be worked out. :)

[Dreamer333]

I would expect the post office to pay the $60 expediting fee since it was thier error that caused the delay!!

[Douglase]

I would expect the post office to pay the $60 expediting fee since it was thier error that caused the delay!!

 

 

That will never happen.

[cruiseaway]

If you go onto the US Passport website you can check the status of the passport still not back. I believe you need the date it was applied for and the person's social security number.

[wtevrfltsurbt]

If you send the $60.00pp expedite fee they have 3 days to review and send out your passport. We had the same problem and sent the extra fees, they did not get to it in the required 3 days, (took 'em 15 days) but they did sent the money orders back uncashed.

[custompcsys]

Well, he went back to the post office today and paid the extra fee, so we'll see what happens. Even if it takes them another 15 days he would still get it in time - only a week or so to spare, but it would work. We were worried about it taking another 6 weeks.

 

Thanks for the insight!

 

PS - the post office didn't even let the idea of them paying cross their minds! :cool:

[wtevrfltsurbt]

Great! Good luck!

 

You might want to go to the US Passport website in a few days, on the home page there is a tab "Check the status of your passport application" click on that and get the 1-800 #, call the passport center and give them the SS # and birth date of the applicant and they can see where in the process the app is. It usually goes to 2/3 locations during the approval process, so it can get bogged down at one, and zip thru the next.:rolleyes: Explain every time you call that your departure date is x-xx-xxxx and that you have sent the extra fees. This gets their attention right away. Call them every day and know that the extra fees require them to address the situation within 3 working days after they recieve the app. So 1st find out when the app. was recieved, then wait the 3 days, then call again and if the process is NOT completed at that time remind them that the fees need to be refunded back to you as they did not comply with the 3 day rule. Worst case scenario you can contact you local passport agency, explain the situation (keep copies of all your paperwork), make an appointment with them and drive the 4 hrs. They have the capability to issue a passport in 48 hours if you present the documentation and your cruise tickets.

 

Hope this helps!

Well, he went back to the post office today and paid the extra fee, so we'll see what happens. Even if it takes them another 15 days he would still get it in time - only a week or so to spare, but it would work. We were worried about it taking another 6 weeks.

 

Thanks for the insight!

 

PS - the post office didn't even let the idea of them paying cross their minds! :cool: