ARGH! *stress*

[tephra]

Due to the fact that the shortest route between home and the family involves a short cut through Ontario, I applied for a passport back in May. Since that was cutting it far too close with the normal passport wait times (and impossible with the current 10-12 week wait due to increased volume) I paid the extra for expedited service, which claimed I would get it in 2-4 weeks.

I'm currently in the 6th week. I want to travel in 2 weeks, but could push it back a week or two if I had to, but I have to get there before the end of July to settle some paperwork.

So I went and checked the progress of my application online... and I'm not in the system. *OMGWTF!!*

It will take two days to get a response to my email (which they recommend over the phone for prompt service!?) but now I'm in a complete ball of gut twisting stress. Yes, worst case, I can drive down and around the Lakes and get there without leaving the US, or maybe I can still get through the border with just a drivers license (I need to check that) but what has me tied in knots is the fact that in order to get your passport you have to send your birth certificate with your application....

The government has lost my birth certificate... with a passport application that includes things like my mother's maiden name and my social security number.

I think I'm going to be sick.

Comments

[watanukisuki.livejournal.com]

Oh gosh, I hope that they really haven't lost it, but that it's just piled in a huge stack somewhere like in Raider's of the Lost Ark. And FWIW, I think that you can apply to get back a portion of your expedited passport fee. I remember seeing something about that in my recent web adventuring, but don't know where exactly.

I hope that it all works out and you get your passport soon.

Oh, and it looks like since you have applied but have not yet received your passport, you can still travel through September(?) according to this:
<http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2007/jun/86206.htm>

[tephra]

It would take something spectacular to really lose it since I applied at the Post Office so it was in the hands of federal employees from the get go. But talk about an instant ball of stress seeing the big red text that boiled down to "we don't have it".

Now it is possible, given my surname is the 6th most common in the US, that I got a "we don't have it" response because the online search uses just surname, DOB, and last four digits of the SSN. There could be another person that meets those criteria. The email form asked for more specific information (full name, where I applied, when I applied, have I been called about my application, etc) so maybe I'll know more by Thursday night/Friday.

I'll have to look into the possibility of getting that extra fee back, that was a goodly chunk of money I could have used for bills.

At least that link seems to say that I'll be okay driving through Canada this year. Assuming they find my application so I can get proof I applied.

All this hassle (and money) for a few hours drive and one pit stop for the ladies room. :P

[kat-chan.livejournal.com]

The story on passports:

Only require for airport entries right now. On 1 Jan 2008 for land and sea crossings. But the airport entries have been modified as linked above, through September. And there's talk about delaying the implementation of the land/sea crossing enforcement, possibly to 1 July 2008. And there are people who want to ditch that change altogether, as well, which I'd be well in favour of.

[tephra]

It bugs me to have a passport required for a few hours of driving. It's not like I have any contact with my Canadian relatives so literally all it will get used for is driving from Port Huron/Sarnia to Fort Erie/Buffalo (and back) once a year.

[dhstein.livejournal.com]

calm down! Passports are not mandatory anymore at the boarder crossings. The Presidentia said so. You should do fine.

[tephra]

I'm calm about the border but I'd really like my birth certificate back, or at least some assurance they have received that handy identify theft kit I sent them.