Run, Don’t Stroll To Your Nearest Passport Renewel Workplace

You, the intrepid traveler, insider to all issues travel and keen to the newest travel trends, have been already intelligent sufficient to turn in your application before July 13, 2010, thus beating the clock on the lately implemented $35 increase in processing fees for renewing your passport. Huh, missed the news on that charge hike? What’s that? It was the fault of the travel bloggers who you stick to everyday to warn you about these points, and they, like Jimmy Carter and “Lost” following season three, utterly and completely failed you?

It is correct, but unlike the well-known peanut farmer and J.J. Abrams, I take full and total duty for this one particular, and wish to make amends by at least giving you some valuable details about that most infuriating aspect of international travel that is the passport.

Turns out a lot of folks did know about the price hike, such as quite a few 1st-time passport applicants (new passports now expense $135 it’s $110 to renew), and they, like a Shamrock Shake enthusiast, rushed out to take benefit of this swiftly closing window. This, in turn, has brought on a huge backup in the not-that-speedy-in-the-very first-spot processing workplace of the State Department. In response, they recently issued a warning stating that you can neglect about finding your passport in 30 days, and the turnaround time to acquire your document will now be a full six weeks, no exceptions, unless, of course, you spend extra.

And don’t feel this does not impact other travelers as effectively. Will need to add added pages or make a modify to your passport? Then you’re going to have to get in line with every person else as well. So plan ahead, get your forms filled out and mailed, and please, whatever you do, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Improved late than under no circumstances.