passports

[Jennifer]

Does anyone know how long passports are taking to process? I heard that if you go to Mexico or the Bahamas you don't have to have your passport back, just proof that you applied for one. Does anyone have any info?

[Mellifluous]

I have heard around 8 weeks.

You can pay for a service to have them carried through in person for you which is faster.

[Terry Wallace]

12 weeks and the "fast service" is way behind now too....

[Pam M]

It used to be lenient with Mexico and the Bahamas but as of January, that was scheduled to change. I was in the Bahamas in February and was told that I needed to have a passport, not just the proof of citizenship like it used to be, so check on this carefully before you go. You can also go in person to a passport office to speed the process up a little. If you're in a pinch, call your local congressional or senate representative. They can help you get it faster if you've got cause (such as already purchased plane tickets).