Boomer TG Posted March 29, 2005 #1 Share Posted March 29, 2005 I just got an email from a former co-worker that now works for the Dept. of Homeland Security in DC. He tells me that discussions are now underway with the Dept. of State on a timeline for instituting a passport requirement for US Citizens no matter where they travel to. No more picture ID and/or birth certificates - even to Mexico and Canada. His best guess is that it's less than a year away. No matter what, he says, this is going to happen. Both agencies agree. Although they will have to give some advance notice, probably 6 mos. or so, if you were thinking about getting a passport and have travel plans in the coming year, you may want to beat the rush. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tef43 Posted March 29, 2005 #2 Share Posted March 29, 2005 The requirement goes into effect 1/1/2008. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herb Posted March 29, 2005 #3 Share Posted March 29, 2005 It's about time. The rest of the world requires a passport once you leave the country... why not U.S.? Canada and Mexico are not the United States. Don't understand why you didn't need a passport in the past! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wennfred Posted March 29, 2005 #4 Share Posted March 29, 2005 Starting my Passport process today since it takes forever, and the closer to the deadline 2008 the longer it will take to process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueHerons Posted March 29, 2005 #5 Share Posted March 29, 2005 I've never even considered leaving the country without a passport. Being a US Citizen means something. I was also told a long time ago if for some reason the US decided to close its borders then only passport holders would be able to re-enter the country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tef43 Posted March 29, 2005 #6 Share Posted March 29, 2005 Starting my Passport process today since it takes forever Huh? :confused: One of the staff here just recevied theirs in the mail, ten days from the date they applied. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flip2cruise Posted March 29, 2005 #7 Share Posted March 29, 2005 Starting my Passport process today since it takes forever, and the closer to the deadline 2008 the longer it will take to process. Lately its only been taking about 3 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derf5585 Posted March 29, 2005 #8 Share Posted March 29, 2005 Can someone in the "Witness Protection Program" get a passport? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phlydude Posted March 29, 2005 #9 Share Posted March 29, 2005 I was going to say that it took 3 weeks to get mine when I applied at the local post office. While it is true that as demand goes up the processing time will increase, it is not going to take more than 2 months I would think. But no matter what, I would apply as early as you possible can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverenufcruising Posted March 29, 2005 #10 Share Posted March 29, 2005 Can someone in the "Witness Protection Program" get a passport? Why, do you now someone?;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 01Sweetpea Posted March 29, 2005 #11 Share Posted March 29, 2005 I just took my boys to get thier passports, took 3 weeks from when we applied to when they arrived. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ehpride Posted March 29, 2005 #12 Share Posted March 29, 2005 My Grandma's took two weeks and mine only took three! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WazAnOkie Posted March 29, 2005 #13 Share Posted March 29, 2005 I am all for it. It should not be so much for where you are going, but for re-entry into the U.S. from where-ever you have been. It would also serve internationally to prove your citizenship in the event of a problem while visiting foreign countries. (hope that never happens...) Most other countries have required them for years, and is overdue for the U.S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wennfred Posted March 29, 2005 #14 Share Posted March 29, 2005 I has a passport back in 85 that took 45 days, I Guess with computers and new equipment they can spit them out quicker. Found this site that you can get the info http://www.usps.com/passport/welcome.htm Download the App here http://travel.state.gov/pdf/DS-0011.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derf5585 Posted March 29, 2005 #15 Share Posted March 29, 2005 One of the earliest mentions of passports dates back to about 450 BC. from http://www.mirabilis.ca/archives/002319.html What Exactly Is a Passport and How Long Has It Been Around? from http://travel.howstuffworks.com/passport1.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2boyzmom Posted March 30, 2005 #16 Share Posted March 30, 2005 Our four passports arrived yesterday. Also took 3 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeidiHo Posted March 30, 2005 #17 Share Posted March 30, 2005 I think that since our cruise is a year away and there are 4 of us, I might start getting them one at a time so I don't have to fork out all that money at once. Right now I'm in the process of getting xtra copies of our birth cetificates so I don't have to send in our only certified copies with the passport applications. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herb Posted March 30, 2005 #18 Share Posted March 30, 2005 We needed to renew our passports and it took us about 3 weeks to get them in the mail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remp400 Posted March 30, 2005 #19 Share Posted March 30, 2005 It took 20 days to receive mine (new) and 26 days for my wife's renewal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soccrguy Posted March 30, 2005 #20 Share Posted March 30, 2005 Heidi if you see this,, call the Hanover Township Office which is not far from you .I just read where they do passports there 2 days a month where they crank them out in a few days.. some deal they got set up with the passport office downtown... pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derf5585 Posted March 30, 2005 #21 Share Posted March 30, 2005 call the Hanover Township Office pat Hanover Township Office of the Clerk General Information ... at 608.266.2621 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeidiHo Posted March 30, 2005 #22 Share Posted March 30, 2005 Hey Pat - thanks, I'll look into it. Not in any real hurry tho. except, knowing me, I'll procrastinate until it's getting close. :o So, did you sell the house yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare silentbob007 Posted March 30, 2005 #23 Share Posted March 30, 2005 and hey ... I just used my passport for ID on a crusie and they stamped it ... woohoo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jckvpa0 Posted March 30, 2005 #24 Share Posted March 30, 2005 Plan on getting a new one after this trip, (less than 3 weeks away), but glad my passport that expired in 2002 & my dh that expired in 2000 will still work! If I'm wrong on this please let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ehpride Posted March 30, 2005 #25 Share Posted March 30, 2005 and hey ... I just used my passport for ID on a crusie and they stamped it ... woohoo They stamped it?! Cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.