Greenburgh Insider: Passport agency not processing passports efficiently -wedding plans, vacations impacted.

 

Difficult to get an expedited passport. Passport agency not processing expedited passports in timely manner. Wedding plans impacted...business plans cancelled..vacations with 90 year old family members in jeopardy.

THE UNITED STATES PASSPORT OFFICE IS MAKING MANY PEOPLE MISERABLE THIS SUMMER BECAUSE PASSPORTS AREN'T BEING PROCESSED EFFICIENTLY OR QUICKLY --WEDDING PLANS, BUSINESS TRIPS BEING CANCELLED DUE TO THEIR NEGLECT, LACK OF STAFF, UNRESPONSIVENESS.

(residents who are experiencing problems willing to speak to media)

If you are planning to go to Europe or anywhere out of the country and need a passport, good luck!  In recent days I have received a number of e mails and calls from residents whose summer plans are being impacted. Even expedited passports aren't being processed.

EXAMPLE OF A COMPLAINT FROM A RESIDENT: 

My son, David, (U.S. Citizen) will be getting married on July 18th in Europe, and we have travel plans for July 14th.

 

My daughter,  is awaiting her Passport which she applied for (expedited service) in May 2021.  She just received confirmation that the processing is taking place, but we need to receive this in time for our travel.  My granddaughter  is also awaiting her Passport ). I have attached airline tickets.  This is crucial because tickets are nonrefundable.

 

In addition, if anything can be done, one more of my children would like to attend the wedding but doesn’t have a Passport and cannot even get even an appointment to go in and apply.

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE: 

I am  having an issue with my passport. I have not traveled for 1 1/2 years because of Covid. When I  looked at my passport to get finger printed for the DOE, as I am a teacher, I realized it was expiring on June 22, 2021. 

Naturally, I was hysterical.  I am supposed to be leaving for Aruba on July 30 with my mother who is celebrating her  90th birthday. I sent it expedited through Fed Ex. 

Another person contacted me --he had to cancel an important business trip due to the passport offices neglect and unresponsiveness.  I believe that there should be a Congressional investigation of the problems at the passport office --difficulty getting passports delivered on time, inability to get appointments, etc..).  So far I haven't been successful in helping so am trying this option- publicizing the problem. I am sure there are many others who have similar problems.

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Town Supervisor