Jun

More Passport Issues: Government Offering Refunds on Expedited Passports

The State Dept.’s passport offices have been swamped with passport applications, largely as a result of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which requires all airline passengers flying to Canada, Bermuda, the Caribbean and Mexico to posses a valid passport. Next year, the government intends to extend to the rule to land border and seaport crossings.

However, due to the huge amount of passport requests that have backlogged the system, the State Dept. decided last week to institute a temporary policy permitting travelers that have applied for but are still awaiting passports for trips this summer to use government-issued photo IDs to exit and enter the U.S. The policy, effective through Sept. 30, only involves travelers flying out of the U.S. to destinations in Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico.

Despite issuing more than 1.5 million passports each month, the State Dept. said it is still trying to keep up with a glut of passport applications. Consequently, all passports, including those expedited, are taking longer to process.

And now, making some more efforts to alleviate travelers concerns, they are offering to reimburse the $60 expediting fee for applicants who paid the fee but did not receive their passport in a timely manner. Of course, the fun part is to get that reimbursement, applicants need to contact the State Department “to request that the government consider refunding their fee, which must be made in writing and sent directly to the State Dept.’s headquarters in Washington.” Here is the page on the State Dept.’s site. But, for your enjoyment, here is the process laid out on that page:

Applicants who pay for expedited service receive priority attention. We process those applications more quickly than those for standard passports. In addition, we frequently use overnight courier services to return expedited passports more quickly.

We deeply regret inconvenience caused to any travelers whose passport was not available in time for their planned travel.

Travelers who:

A) Paid the $60 fee for expedited service and

B) Have reason to believe that they did not receive expedited service should contact the Department of State at:

Department of State
Passport Services/PPS/Refunds
2100 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20037-3202

to request that the Department consider, on a case-by-case basis, a refund of the expedite fee.

Customers should submit a written request with their passport number, if available, name, date and place of birth and approximate date(s) they applied for their passport and received their passport (if applicable). Mailing address and phone number should also be included.

The Department cannot refund passport application and execution fees or compensate applicants for missed travel.

Sounds like a process that will make your summer a happy one.

At least you can go to lay on a beach in the Caribbean while you’re waiting for the State Department to decide if they want to give you $60. If you are waiting for your passport still, you can go to the State Dept.’s web site to print out a proof of application document to take with you. Not a bad idea.

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