In a letter to the U.S. State Department, New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez is asking that the department bring back its online passport renewal website, as passport delay issues continue to wreck travel plans for people in Lakewood and across the country.
The U.S. State Department has seen unprecedented demand for passports in 2023 with an increase in travel compared to previous years.
The Department’s website states that as of March 24th, routine processing times are seven to nine weeks, and that does not include the estimated two weeks applications take to arrive by mail at a passport agency or center, nor does it include the two weeks needed to receive a completed passport in the mail.
“When it comes time to travel overseas for vacation or for a family emergency, many New Jersey residents, and Americans across the country, may not receive their valid passports in the mail on time – despite having paid the additional $60 for expedited service,” Menendez said at a press conference.
“This is why I’m encouraging the State Department to improve the online passport renewal initiative in an effort to ensure Americans are able to freely travel to other nations – especially with the upcoming busy summer travel season.
“I also urge New Jerseyans and all Americans to look at their passport expiration dates before booking any travel outside of the United States,” Menendez added.
The Senator’s letter suggests that an improved version of the online passport renewal initiative, that has been suspended since March 8, after many users voiced difficulties using the site, could offer an avenue to alleviate the excessive wait times.
I dont know if this will work??- I applied for my passport through the online system. After 16 weeks it had still not been processed. Then I had an emergency and had to sit all day in NY passport agency to get it that day.
Congressman Smiths office is super nice and helpful. They truly bend over backwards to help.
Who voted for this Menentallyillnendez?
I don’t go out of the USA but definitely I’m moving out of NJ