US Passport Agency experiences major delays as more people plan to travel abroad

Dozens of people tell News 12 that they applied for passports with what they thought was enough time, but they're still in limbo.

News 12 Staff

Jul 27, 2021, 2:23 AM

Updated 1,168 days ago

Share:

The United States Passport Agency is experiencing major delays with more people itching to travel abroad again.
Dozens of people tell News 12 that they applied for passports with what they thought was enough time, but they're still in limbo.
Kathryn Daly, of Chappaqua, says what was supposed to be a dream milestone has now become a nightmare.
"I am a two-time cancer survivor, so these are memories that I just can't afford to not be part of," says Daly.
Daly's son is getting married in Mexico City on Labor Day, and she could miss it.
She says she submitted her passport renewal on April 30. On the U.S. Passport website, it says expedited service could take 12 weeks due to mail delays - double the time it took pre-pandemic.
For Daly, those 12 weeks is up now.
"What's heartbreaking is that I could potentially be FaceTiming my son and somebody else dancing the mother of the groom dance, and it's not me," she says.
Daly has gone to every length she can think of, even reaching out to Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Mondaire Jones for help.
"I submitted my airline ticket as proof, my son's wedding invitation as proof. My medical records - I actually sent them," she says
In an email, Rep. Jones' office says it is also so inundated with passport requests that it can only expedite those with life-or-death emergencies 72 hours before their trip.
"It would be a disaster if it was up to the 72 hours," says Daly.
If she has to cancel her trip, Daly could also lose nearly $3,000 for her flight and hotel. She also already paid for things like special clothing and preparations.
The U.S. Passport Agency says people should apply for a passport at least three to six months before you plan to leave.