Washington, DC, Mar 19, 2007 -

Congressman John Carter (R, Round Rock) warned constituents that the State Department is experiencing an extreme backlog in issuing passports due to record demand. Applications for passports are 44 percent higher than this time last year and despite hiring more passport adjudicators, the State Department is advising citizens to allow 9-10 weeks for routine processing and 3-4 weeks for expedited processing. In the past, citizens were advised to allow 6 weeks for routine and 2 weeks for expedited service.

“Assisting constituents with passport requests is one of the many services my district offices provide,” Congressman Carter said. “We have noticed a significant backlog in recent passport applications since air traffic between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico now requires a passport. Because of these factors, please plan your passport requests with plenty of time before your departure date.”

For passport assistance, citizens can go online at http://www.travel.state.gov or call the State Department passport hotline at 1-877-487-2778 from 6:00 a.m. to 11 p.m. CST, Monday-Friday, except on federal holidays. Residents of District 31 in Texas may contact Congressman Carter’s Round Rock office at