Question:
I'm getting off of probation on
Feb. 11th and I have overseas travel
plans for the 24th. Should I apply
now for a passport or should I wait
until after the 11th?
Answer:
Probation? I suppose you should
ask your probation officer. Also,
there's info about passports at
http://travel.state.gove/ that might
be helpful to you. Ignoring the
probation issue, which I don't know
if it affects getting a passport
or not, you have to keep an eye
on the calendar. If you apply now
and want it back by the 24th you
are cutting it very close to the
six week processing time.
Depending
on where your application is being
processed, when they are set to
have their digital imaging processing
equipment installed (New York is
in Feb, they are cutting appointments
in half), if you apply now you may
not get it back in time (remember
there are still a couple of holidays
in there too), unless you pay the
expedite fee, and the extra postage.
If you are
near a passport office you can go
in after the 11th and pay for the
expedited processing and get it
back in a few days, but can only
do that when your trip is within
14 days (or 21 depending on the
office) from the date you apply.
Further information is at travel.state.gov,
click on the services link. You
should apply now. You may need expedited
processing as you are cutting it
close to the normal 6 week time.
