Posted on May 28, 2016
Military travelers: Avoid extra passport fees and apply now
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State Department officials are advising military families to allow plenty of time to renew or apply for passports, in light of a surge in passport applications.
The wait time for standard processing of passports is six weeks, compared to four weeks last year, said Ashley Garrigus, a spokeswoman for the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs. Expedited service will get a tourist passport in three weeks, but it costs an extra $60.
While the warning about delays applies to the general public, "the military and their families are an important audience for us, and we want to be sure our messages are reaching them," Garrigus said. As the summer approaches, many military families are preparing for permanent change-of-station moves, and some are planning vacation travel. Service members who receive overseas assignments and their family members authorized to accompany them are eligible for no-fee special issuance passports.
But those stationed overseas should also have a regular tourist passport, which requires a fee, for personal travel.
Although the no-fee passports may take less time, because there are fewer people seeking them, it's a good idea to apply for or renew any travel document as soon as possible.
The current surge is expected to continue through 2018. It's the result of the 2007 Western Hemisphere Initiative, which requires U.S. citizens to have passports for travel to and from Mexico, Canada, Central and South America and the Caribbean. In 2007, the State Department experienced an unprecedented surge in passport applications and issued more than 18 million passports as a result of that initiative. Now millions of people are renewing those passports, which expire after 10 years.
As the 10-year mark approached, Garrigus said, “We anticipated the surge, and made plans. There are a lot of processes in place. Employees are working overtime to make sure it’s running smoothly.” The department hired extra employees and are continuing to hire more but officials want to make sure people are aware of the potential delays, Garrigus said.
She noted that some countries require that travelers’ passports not be withing six months of expiration in order for that traveler to be allowed to enter their countries.
Some of the circumstances military families should think about include children who don’t yet have a passport; passports that are expiring soon; and relatives expecting to travel overseas to visit military members stationed there. Garrigus advised families to also think about unexpected emergencies which could require travel to and from overseas.
For more information on applying for passports, visit the State Department's website or call the National Passport Information Center toll-free at [login to see] .
The wait time for standard processing of passports is six weeks, compared to four weeks last year, said Ashley Garrigus, a spokeswoman for the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs. Expedited service will get a tourist passport in three weeks, but it costs an extra $60.
While the warning about delays applies to the general public, "the military and their families are an important audience for us, and we want to be sure our messages are reaching them," Garrigus said. As the summer approaches, many military families are preparing for permanent change-of-station moves, and some are planning vacation travel. Service members who receive overseas assignments and their family members authorized to accompany them are eligible for no-fee special issuance passports.
But those stationed overseas should also have a regular tourist passport, which requires a fee, for personal travel.
Although the no-fee passports may take less time, because there are fewer people seeking them, it's a good idea to apply for or renew any travel document as soon as possible.
The current surge is expected to continue through 2018. It's the result of the 2007 Western Hemisphere Initiative, which requires U.S. citizens to have passports for travel to and from Mexico, Canada, Central and South America and the Caribbean. In 2007, the State Department experienced an unprecedented surge in passport applications and issued more than 18 million passports as a result of that initiative. Now millions of people are renewing those passports, which expire after 10 years.
As the 10-year mark approached, Garrigus said, “We anticipated the surge, and made plans. There are a lot of processes in place. Employees are working overtime to make sure it’s running smoothly.” The department hired extra employees and are continuing to hire more but officials want to make sure people are aware of the potential delays, Garrigus said.
She noted that some countries require that travelers’ passports not be withing six months of expiration in order for that traveler to be allowed to enter their countries.
Some of the circumstances military families should think about include children who don’t yet have a passport; passports that are expiring soon; and relatives expecting to travel overseas to visit military members stationed there. Garrigus advised families to also think about unexpected emergencies which could require travel to and from overseas.
For more information on applying for passports, visit the State Department's website or call the National Passport Information Center toll-free at [login to see] .
Military travelers: Avoid extra passport fees and apply now
Posted from armytimes.comPosted in these groups: 
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Posted >1 y ago
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Remember there was a time when a military member could just travel with their military ID, in place of a passport. As long as we must continuously change our life style out of fear of terrorism, they are winning. Look at the airports and the ridiculous security measure that are in place. I am not saying they aren't needed, now. But since when has treating everyone as a criminal been the law, according to our Constitution. I remember when I could meet my father at the gate, or say goodbye at the gate... it won't be long before they'll restrict your access to the airport grounds itself, unless you have a ticket. We need to eliminate the threat not keep changing our way of life. The whole point of terrorism is to disrupt and cause fear, well they are and have been. Enough is enough.
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SSG Pete Fleming
PO2 Shabazz B. - we would have to change it if we just took terrorism serious and eliminated the threat, instead of changing our way of life out of fear.
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Thanks for sharing the news SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL that State Department officials are advising military families to allow plenty of time to renew or apply for passports, in light of a surge in passport applications.
Hopefully many will take advantage and start the process early.
Hopefully many will take advantage and start the process early.
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