Backstory:
Wife and I have 3 kids (10, 6, 3) and went to get all three passports (2 "renewed," 1 new). We applied for routine processing for all three back in early April and received the two younger one's passports and a letter for the 10yr old in mid June saying that there was an error in her application (not sure how it happened exactly, and there was not any information really available in the letter, but something with signatures). We completed a new application and overnighted it immediately the next day and were told it would go right back in line where it was kicked out. We were unable to change the type of processing (routine/expedited) until 2wks out from our trip. I called and added the expedited processing and overnight delivery at that time. Still no change in the portal. Called today for the 5day window and in-person appointment option. Within 15min of the call center opening, all appointments were gone nationwide. We had a 9am in El Paso (we live in Huntsville), but before the lady completed the form, the appointment was gone.

The actual question:
What are some options for travel (plane preferred, for kids to scratch that itch) that we could do? Really need an option that allows for last minute cancellation in case the passport does actually come through though.

We had a similar passport issue last week where the status never changed from "in process" even after calling the passport # and mentioning we were within the 14 day window of our trip. We eventually reached out to our congress persons office and they were able to handle everything for us. We received our passport within 3 days of calling. We just had to provide them proof of travel.

We had spent numerous hours trying to get a same day appointment before reaching out to the congress person.

My wife just got off the phone with Morgan Luttrell's office and one of my employees is his cousin, so I am hoping that they can assist. She was easily the most helpful person that we have dealt with but comparing a newly elected officials' office staff to government workers is not a fair comparison. Still trying to plan a backup, but this whole process is absolutely jacked, kids are going to be wrecked

Congressional appointment is your only hope.

Someone on a previous thread said they are no longer offering congressional appointments though…

I'd DEFINITELY check and hear it from the horses mouth though. I thought the process was bad last year but it's only gotten worse. So sorry.

Also, I'd call back several times throughout the day. Sometimes they get cancellations. It doesn't really help you if the appointment is in Cleveland or Anchorage though… So fd!

I had that same error issue last September and it was a BEAR. No one deserves the Bs treatment you get from the passport office when you do everything correct and their system sucks.

If you decide to drive, you only need an original copy of their birth certificate for 16 and under.

Too bad that is with the passport application that is still pending....

bdgol07 said:

---

Too bad that is with the passport application that is still pending....

---

You should be able to get a certified copy from the county clerk's office in the county where they were born.

Still holding out hope. We mailed my Dad's expedited renewal with 9 weeks till travel. Naturally the passport office said they received it 3 weeks later with only 6 weeks to go. I have zero faith in getting it back.

Marauder Blue 6 said:

---

bdgol07 said:

---

Too bad that is with the passport application that is still pending....

---

You should be able to get a certified copy from the county clerk's office in the county where they were born.

---

Correct.....Or, this happened to us for a cruise, Passport office took over double what they projected for expedited. We didn't care, it was a cruise, figured we'd just use the birth certificate. Didn't realize we mailed the birth certificate with the passport application until the Saturday before a Sunday cruise when we were packing. We just took the short form birth certificate, I want to say the title across the top was Certificate of Vital Record, and had no issues with the cruise accepting it to get on the boat or with customs when we returned. It's still an official Texas doc with the raised seal.

Marauder Blue 6 said:

---

bdgol07 said:

---

Too bad that is with the passport application that is still pending....

---

You should be able to get a certified copy from the county clerk's office in the county where they were born.

---

My wife was able to get a copy of the birth certificate today, no cruises available at this time to even sniff Cozumel from a quick search, but will look more tonight after work. Trying to manage the expectations and the bubble bursting when we tell them tonight and begin the process of bringing them down from the high

Sorry to hear that your passport situation is such a fiasco.

To answer your question about a backup plan - Puerto Rico.
It's a short flight away, pretty safe and you'll get the opportunity to hone up on your Spanish.
My recommendation is that you get out into the more rural areas of the island.
Take a look at Fajardo, Ponce, Humacao, Rincon, Cabo Rojo, Isabela, etc.

El Conquistador in Fajardo is a great spot with kids. Ponce is really cool too. It has an iridescent lake IIRC. Rincon has amazing surfing. I think there's a place called the Crows Nest in Vieques that's really cool, too.

I speak Spanish and I can't understand most things that're said in PR or the Dominican or Cuba.

What about the Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico as mentioned above as a fall back?

Congressional office help is still very much a thing so whoever said that on the other thread was FOS. Believe it or not, assisting with passports (and help of that nature) is actually one of their specific, interactive jobs that most congressman's offices are pretty good at.

Now they may be getting overwhelmed because of the backlog and it may not be quite as fast as it used to be, but I've never heard of one simply saying they won't/can't do it anymore. Many of them even have a specific staff person (at their local office or more rarely their DC office) that handles requests like that.

Good luck

Jackson, Wyoming. Go see the Tetons and Yellowstone. See old Faithful, go white water rafting, and do some hikes.

I always forget about PR and the USVI since we always went to the western Caribbean. The Tetons would be fun as well. I am holding out some sliver of hope as last night the status changed from routine to expedited, so at least someone is actually looking at the application at this point

When's your flight? Did you hear back from your congressional office? You should be able to give them the tracking number.

Manifest a passport.

JustPanda said:

---

When's your flight? Did you hear back from your congressional office? You should be able to give them the tracking number.

Manifest a passport.

---

Flight is Saturday morning. Not sure if it just happened by processes or if Luttrell's office pulled some strings, but we did receive a shipping notification and a tracking number today for the 1-2 day shipping that I added. The woman at Luttrell's office made it sound like they made a call when she spoke to my wife today. He will be touring our hospital next month, so I will be looking to thank him in person either way.

I've had good luck with passport processing companies getting 24-48 hour turn around without having to mess with chasing down appointments or flying across the country.

Sounds like it'll make it. Crisis averted. You've hella earned a cocktail.

When did you use them? Supposedly they're almost worthless now but maybe that's changing.

We used Fast Passports in The Woodlands, their office is in market street. During the height of the covid backlog they got our passports in 48 hours. Kids are a bit tougher because they can't help with the stupid packet you have to get some library to stamp, but we just walked into Lone Star on 249 and they fit us in.

JustPanda said:

---

Sounds like it'll make it. Crisis averted. You've hella earned a cocktail.

---

You aren't kidding. I will be fully relieved when we have it in hand and out of the government's paws. Even the USPS is capable of throwing a wrench in this whole thing

Did I read that right? Cozumel is the destination? From reading the updates on this thread, it sounds like it will work out.

Have a great trip.

I am going through a similar situation with my daughter's passport. We submitted her application back in April and as of yesterday still didn't have her passport. I reached out to Pete Session's office on Monday and they were super helpful. I have a tracking number now and it's supposed to be delivered by UPS today before 7:00 p.m. I really can't say enough about how kind and helpful the staff was at Pete Session's office.

USVI.

I feel bad for the congressional offices but I also feel like the passport office is earning them ALOT of votes. I know I didn't vote for my congressperson until my passport FUBAR, and now I feel like I owe them my vote for life and an annual fruit basket.

If you're going to Cozumel, hit up the Cabana Beach Club. The cabanas are great and the park next door is great for kids.

Also make sure to check the exchange rate on purchases. It's down to around 17/1 but sometimes the resorts CC rates are trash and push 15-16/1.

CanyonLakeAgbu said:

---

Did I read that right? Cozumel is the destination? From reading the updates on this thread, it sounds like it will work out.

Have a great trip.

---

Yes, Cozumel is the destination. Tracking say it will be here today, it just arrived in North Houston facility this morning, so Saturday is looking better and better

Buccanos and Mr Sanchos beach club are great too. Buccanos is north and Mr. Sanchos is south. Sometimes one will be closed for sargassum and the other is crystal clear.

Mamitas in Playa is probs the most famous. Xelha is great too if you're off the island.

IT SHOULDNT BE THIS DIFFICULT! THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!