Why Does It Take So Long To Issue A Passport?

[lligrd]

Seems the new rules are creating havoc at the State Department. My question, why does it take so long anyway? Why can't you just take your papers to a local office and have it processed right away?

[Subdivisions]

1. Investigating you takes time. n/t

[oldtime dfl_er]

2. Not to mention they have to put the chip in it

They're doing that now, aren't they?

http://www.cafepress.com/scarebaby/2704524

[nosillies]

12. Yep, they're phasing it in...not all offices are doing it yet, though

If yours is about to expire, get a new one now so you'll have years before you have to get one with a chip.

I have to get one for my baby this month, and if his has a chip, I'll be using the metal bag that came with my toll pass as a passport holder!

[lligrd]

4. It Shouldn't - Don't They Even Have Records Of Our Phone Calls

now? Do they deny passports? And if so, for what?

[nebenaube]

5. if you've written anything against the goverment they...

can deny you a passport.

[lligrd]

8. Yikes, Sure Hope They Don't Read DU

:rofl:

[nebenaube]

15. It has to advocate the overthrow of the constituion

not just bitch about a part of it...

[sam sarrha]

3. hardly anyone works at the state dept anymore. object of Rethugs is to destroy government , it works

[Robson]

9. I tend to agree.

Private sector employees (usually retired government double dippers)now represent what were formerly government bureaucrats.

Instead of a high level GS government employee in-charge of a department, the GS is in-charge of a group of private sector consultents (ex-G-workers) that are being paid by a company headed by a Bush donor. This is this the new government culture. Retire young under government civil service, then double dip as a private sector employee headed by a pro Bush Ranger donor.

Whether you are civil service or military this is the new America.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

6. If you think that's long...

just imagine all the work you have to go through to get a gun in this country.

[walldude]

7. I got mine in 2 days

Had to pay through the nose though. Did it online through the Seattle Passport Agency.

On edit.. that was 2 years ago though so things may have changed with the new chips in them...

[lligrd]

10. Yep, Says The Expedited Ones Are Taking 4 Weeks Now

And 10 for the regular.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070316/ap_on_re_us/passport_problems;_ylt=AtJSu_lw7jJD2.yfqE2eYWnMWM0F

[Possumpoint]

11. Now Coming Up On 10 Weeks

Waiting time at Post Office to file the application was over two hours in late January. Was told then that I would receive the passport in 6 weeks. Was also told that around the first of the year the waiting time to file was closer to 4 hours.

Now,I haven't heard that the State Department has hired more employees nor brought in contractors to process all these applications so I expected delays. Good thing my wife and I didn't need ours for a trip right away. My mistake was that I was honest and said on the application I wasn't taking a trip right away.

[nedbal]

13. just received my renewal today, it took about 7 weeks. No chip , looks similar to the old one

Some were saying the new ones had a smart chip in them. not my renewal

[no_hypocrisy]

14. Part of the reason is simply more people have to apply to get a

passport in order to take short jaunts to Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, etc. which was not necessary six months ago. The extra applications has slowed things down in the State Department.