Stressing over passports (or lack of)

[BasUR]

We have now been waiting 12 weeks for our children's passports. We have two more to go! I am beginning to get a little worried. I know that you can print out the verification of application page and take that with birth certificates BUT they have the birth certificates! We have contacted our senator's office and they have put an "urgent request" on them. We have also requested certified copies (expedited) of birth certificates but our daughter's bc is in New Orleans. We don't know if we have access to it or not (b/c of Katrina). We are going to try to have student id's made for the kids at the dept of motor vehicles. Does anyone have any other ideas? Oh, we are staying a week in the BVI's in addition to STJ (that's why we need the passports).

Thanks for any help.

[martini girl]

For what it's worth, my sister had applied for her passport in the beginning of March, her check was cashed in the middle of March, and it just came on Friday 6/29. Approx. 14 weeks. Hopefully yours' is just around the corner. Wishing you lots of luck.

[Ksea]

Basur - One guy in our party did not have his passport, or proof that he even applied for one. He was fine with Certified Copy of Birth Certificate and Drivers license. I really think your kids will be fine with just a birth certificate...they understand that kids dont have other forms of ID. Dont worry......I can say it because we were just there and really no need to "worry" about anything! We did a day trip to Jost Van dyke and it was noooo problem!

[b-as-u-r]

I'd take as much as possible. Go ahead and get the id cards from the dept of motor vehicle, as well as printing out the passport application verification and if you can get the certified birth certificates, that too. Did you keep copies of the certified birth certificates? Perhaps if you were to get the copies certified as true and exact copies of the originals and notarized. Do you by chance have expired passports for the kids? If so, I'd take them also. I think in this case more is definitely better. Good luck! Ali~

[RickG]

Take it all.... But, air travel to and from STT is the same as air travel anywhere in the US. Children under 18 do NOT need any id to travel with parents. Adults need government issued photo id.

Not only is the USVI part of the US, it has voring representation in the House of Representatives - more part of the US than Washington, DC.

That being said, the INS folks at the STT security checkpoint will ask for passports, birth certificate, etc. whether it is required or not. My brother took his 10 year old son through security in November, left his son's birth certificate in his packed bag, and it was no problem.

TSA on ids for kids: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/ ... dex.shtm#2

There's a lot of angst on this issue. I recommend that everyone bring passports. We had folks that spent the $400 to get the family passports for our November trip who were irked that they could have avoided the cost.

Cheers, RickG

[PA Girl]

2 of our 9 travelling for Feb 08 just mailed their applications in last week. We are all curious to see how long it will take until their passports get issued.

[RickG]

2 of our 9 travelling for Feb 08 just mailed their applications in last week. We are all curious to see how long it will take until their passports get issued.

I'm with you, I'd love to find out. We are going to send in our passports for early renewal after our Spring Break trip March 2008. I hope to have them back in 5 months with expediting.

Cheers, RickG

[PA Girl]

I will post the results of the turnaround! The applications left Northeastern PA July 27th.

[CShell1019]

Not to worry ... I sent my passport in for renewal on 12 June and had it back in my hands on 28 June. Had seen articles that the "problems" were letting up - Citibank (who processes them)was hiring more staff and they were doing better! I was pleasantly surprised!