My wife and I submitted our applications the second week of February and received them both, same day separate envelopes, last Thursday.

I do have to say, the state dept. said 10 weeks, and it was pretty darn close to that. Good luck.

Joe

Do you think they cut it close just to make you panic so that you may opt to pay the $$$$ to make it get to you quicker. That has entered my mine, but of course they wouldn't do that. They are a branch of the government correct?
thanks
Mricco

I sent mine with expedited service almost three weeks ago and it has yet to show up on the status-check website at state.gov.

I expedited my renewal and enclosed a "Express Mail" paid envelope (also sent it via Express Mail) and it was received and signed for April 23rd and I received it April 30th exactly 7 days from arriving in their hands to arriving in mine 🙂

Sorry that dosen't help you but it may help someone else in the future.

Make sure you send it Express Mail, pay the extra for Expedited service, enclose a pre paid Express Mail return envelope and write "Expedite" in red ink over the outgoing envelope.

Pia

Have you checked the state government website? It will give you an idea of the date that you should expect your passport in the mail.

One of group was first to send his application in and he just got it this last Monday...weeks..even days after everybody else.

travel.state.gov

Best suggestion is to contact your Congressman. Their staff will assist you in the processing. Mine stated, "We have never had anyone miss a trip" when they were involved.
Good luck!

Are you traveling by boat to the BVI's? If you are you only need your birth cerificate i believe...My boyfriend's mom is a travel agent and said that if you fly to the USVI's and then boat to the BVI's you only need your birth certificate?

I was trying not to sweat it. We ordered them the first week of March and are going the first week of June.
I just got some extra copies of the birth certificates and figured we can still go without them if we have to.
I'm thinking they will come though. 🙂

We are going to be traveling to the BVI by boat. Is this a for sure thing that if you do go by boat you do not need a passport? A couple of months ago someone posted something about this entire passport thing and I think I remember something about the U.S. Government putting all this into effect in phases, and I think there was something about traveling by boat.
Thanks for your input
Mricco

You can still get into the BVI until the end of Jan 2008 with a license AND birth certificate.

For anybody that is interested, I saw on the morning show that travelers should also make a copy of their passports and any other important papers and keep them with you in case you should lose your original passport. Makes sense to me, so I did that.

I also have a folder about 3 inches think now with things to do, places to go and eat. Definetly getting obsessive compulsive about this trip. At least that's what the husband says.

It is also an excellent idea to make an EXTRA copy of the passport and other important documents and leave it with someone at home. In the extremely unlikely event that everything you take with you goes missing, you can call home and have faxes sent. Not much effort and extra security.

Connie,
All I can find on the Gov's website is that it is being processed. My sons came today and he sent his in 2 weeks after my daughter and son in law. Figure that one out. My husbands corrected birth certficate came today, I will overnight it to Chicago-passport place and cross my fingers.
Thanks
MRicco

mricocco.....

When we looked on the site it always gave us a date that we could expect the passports. A couple times, the dates changed and there was only one person who waited aot longer then everybody else, but it still got here.

I think it was about a month ago they stopped estimating the date. They must have been missing too many target dates. Now it just says "we received your application and you should receive it within 10 weeks..........."

When they estimated the date, it was really hilarious how much the date moved, so the new way is not any worse.

IA Joe

You do NOT need a passport to enter or leave the BVI. They still accept birth certificates for entry. The problem arises upon your departure from the BVI and your return to St. John/St. Thomas. This is where we are required to have passports ONLY to re-enter the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition, a passport is NOT required to fly into the USVI yet, IF, you are flying in from the U.S. or a U.S. Territory/Possession.
In addition, a passport is NOT required to depart the USVI, yet. If you do not receive your passport prior to your scheduled departure, the only limitation you will have is the inability to visit the BVI.

Passports are not needed for re-entry if traveling by water. You can confirm this with the ferry or tour operator you will be using for your BVI boat trip.

Passport IS required by water.

The following quote from the U.S. CBP official website: Yes, they were allowing other documents prior to 01 january 2008 ("may be required") BUT sooner if they could. Well, guess what. It is the local CBP office decision and St. John, VI is now only accepting passports. This is reinforced with telephone inquiries to CBP, local ferry companies, SMITH FERRIES, INTERISLAND TRANSPORT and NATIVE SON.

As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons*, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.