Even with travel season months away, Congressman Peter T. King (R-Seaford) is advising that any U.S. citizen who needs to obtain or renew a passport apply no later than 12 weeks before their scheduled trip.

"With the implementation of the first phase of the United States Departments of State (DOS) and Homeland Security (DHS) Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) last year, which requires all U.S. citizens traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda to present a valid U.S. passport, there has been an enormous increase in the volume of passport applications," King said.

The congressman added, "That increase will only multiply when the second phase of the WHTI is initiated later this year, which would require all U.S. citizens traveling by land or sea between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda to present a valid U.S. passport. DOS and DHS expect the date of full WHTI implementation to be this summer. The precise implementation date will be formally announced with at least 60 days notice."

King said that Routine Passport Service, which is normally processed within six weeks, is predicted to take up to 12 weeks. While Expedited Passport Service, which is normally processed within two weeks, is predicted to take up to six weeks.

"To obtain a U.S. passport for the first time, you need to go in person to a U.S. passport acceptance facility with two passport-style photographs of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship, a valid form of photo identification such as a driver's license, and the appropriate fee," said the congressman. "Acceptance facilities include many post offices and a number of municipal offices.

"If you are looking to renew an expired U.S. passport, you can renew by mail if your most recent U.S. passport is available to submit and it is not damaged; you received the U.S. passport within the past 15 years; you were over age 16 when it was issued and you still have the same name, or can legally document your name change," Congressman King stated. "You can obtain a U.S. passport renewal application form by downloading it at the Department of State's travel website www.travel.state.gov."

According to Congressman King, the U.S. passport requirement does not apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. territories include: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

WHTI requirements are the result of recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission, which Congress subsequently passed into law in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004.

King added that for additional information on U.S. passports and the WHTI to visit the Department of State's travel website www.travel.state.gov or call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778; TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793.