Passport snag

[Fussballman 7]

I am planning on going to Germany with a friend of mine to see the US repeat another quarterfinal appearance but it has hit a minor snag. I did not get my tickets through FIFA when they were available, rather I have opted to wait for US soccer's sale. So I filed for my passport on August 15 and come to find out most were being processed in the New Orleans office; after talking to a passport rep I feel very discouraged. I realize my passport is not the most important thing in New Orleans now nor should it be, but what should I do? Now I am without passport, birth certificate and the money involved. When will US soccer start selling tickets? Don't I have to have my passport number to get tickets? Any suggestions or information would be welcomed. Thank you.

[metroflip73]

Damn.

[Bill Archer]

Call the National Passport Information Center. They have a toll-free number I'm sure you can Google for.

They have established procedures for people, like you, who are in the same boat. Basically ALL US Passports are processed out of NO, and they are working around the problem.

(Replacement Birth Certificates are available quite easily, although ou may have to apply in person in the city where you were born. Rules vary)

You might also consider starting over with an expedited application, which only takes two weeks instead of six, but you pay more. There are also commercial agencies which, for a fee, can walk a passport though for you in 24 hours, but they did that in NO and I'm not sure whether that service will be available near term.

Anyway, start with NPIC - like I said, toll-free 24/7. They'll get you sorted out.

[pasoccerfan]

Try the District Office of your local Congressman. District staff deal with problems that constituents have with federal agencies.

They may be able to expedite the process for you.

[DaniD]

Official notice on State Department's website: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

Looks like you would fall in the non-urgent category, but they don't tell you what happened to your application.

Not all passports are processed at NO; when I changed my name I sent it to South Carolina.

[big spaniel]

The Department of State is looking to transfer New Orleans passport work to other passport agencies. The workload in New Orleans is huge - about 17% of all passports issued nationwide. The agency in New Orleans is on something like the 12th floor of an office building, so hopefully the files, pending applications, etc., are safe. However, can't say when those applications will start moving.

Realistically, filing a new application might not be a bad idea, unless the passport office says otherwise.

[Mikeymike15]

You can use your Social Security Number now and change to a passport number later.

[Brook]

My renewal says Pittsburgh PA

[Fussballman 7]

Thanks for all the advice.

[nancyb]

Start working on a replacement birth certificate now, just to be safe.

[Eddie26]

I am planning on going to Germany with a friend of mine to see the US repeat another quarterfinal appearance but it has hit a minor snag. I did not get my tickets through FIFA when they were available, rather I have opted to wait for US soccer's sale. So I filed for my passport on August 15 and come to find out most were being processed in the New Orleans office; after talking to a passport rep I feel very discouraged. I realize my passport is not the most important thing in New Orleans now nor should it be, but what should I do? Now I am without passport, birth certificate and the money involved. When will US soccer start selling tickets? Don't I have to have my passport number to get tickets? Any suggestions or information would be welcomed. Thank you.

The World Cup isn't for over a year. You have plenty of time. No need to worry yet.

Anyway, here's the Passport Agencies official site. They'll sort you out: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html