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Passports

Passport Applications

The United States Passport Agency is experiencing an unprecedented demand for expedited passport processing and is currently prioritizing inquiries for applicants who have life or death emergencies or scheduled travel within the next two weeks (or within the next four weeks if they need to apply for a foreign visa). The agency has requested that congressional staff limit inquiries for passengers traveling more than two weeks out (or four weeks for visa applicants), in order to reduce the demands on their inbox and to access the most time sensitive requests first.
The agency has updated the guidance on their website on steps applicants can take if they need their passport as soon as possible: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast.html

Congressional Inquiries

If you have followed all the steps recommended by the Passport Agency and you still need your passport within two weeks of travel (or four weeks for visa applicants), you can submit a privacy release form to allow our office to submit an inquiry to the agency on your behalf. Please review the below instructions before you submit your privacy release form:

All Privacy Release forms MUST include:

  • The full name, birthdate, and passport application number for the passport applicant/s.
    • If you do not know your passport application number, you can find it by looking up your application status online at: https://passportstatus.state.gov/
    • If you do not have a pending application, please indicate why in the description box.
    • All adult passport applicants must submit a separate form, but if you are inquiring on behalf of a child's application, then a parent or legal guardian must sign the form and include the names, birthdates, and application numbers for each applicant.
  • The date you submitted the application, and whether you paid for expedited processing or expedited shipping.
    • If you did not initially pay for expedited processing or shipping, you want your passport faster and you are still within current processing times for your application, you may be asked to pay the expedite fee. You can do so over the phone by calling 1-877-487-2778
      • If you already paid for expedited processing and shipping, this step is not necessary.
  • Proof of your date of travel within the next two weeks (four weeks for visa applicants), or of the urgent nature of your request.
    • Date of travel proof could include: a pdf or screenshot of your email receipt from the airline, the cruise line, your foreign hotel accommodations, etc.
      • Make sure that the proof you provide includes your name in addition to the date of travel. If you send a screenshot, make sure it does not crop out your name.
    • If you do not have travel accommodations booked, additional evidence could include: a doctor's note or death certificate for a relative abroad, a funeral invitation, a letter from your employer detailing the urgent need for work travel, a copy of an invitation to an event abroad, etc.

Note: Please do not submit congressional inquiries through more than one Member of Congress or Senator. Duplicate inquiries increase the processing time for everyone.

Please click here to submit your privacy release.

After you submit a privacy release:

After your privacy release form is submitted, it will be assigned to a caseworker who will submit an inquiry to the appropriate agency office on your behalf. When we receive a response from the agency, we will share it with you via email. If you wish to flag a case that is within five days of travel, you may call (415) 556-4876. Be sure to leave a message if a staffer is unavailable.

Immigration

The following information is for immigrants. Please contact my office for assistance with any questions or problems you may have.