[christinarn2000]

Hello Everyone!
I was wondering if anyone has encounted problems getting a US passport for their adopted children from guatemala. I am hearing horror stories. We applied for a passport in mid-april and my son is still not in the system. I am calling tomorrow. I was just wondering if anyone had any stories to share or advice. We adopted our son from guatemala in July 2005. This forum was a lifesaver for me when we were going through the adoption.
Christina

[saranbr]

Christina,
We didn't have any problem getting DD's passport (4/06) but I know the whole system is horribly backlogged right now cause of the new regs about needing one when flying into Mexico and Canada. There was some reference to it tonight on the news as well. My folks applied for their passports (finally ) in April and they haven't heard anything either. They were told it would be at least three months. Perhaps it's just the delays?

[DPline]

What do you mean when they said he is not in the system? That he doesn't show up as a citizen? Or just that they have not processed his application yet?

[sfalone]

I heard on the news the other night that since they put in the new regulations about needing passports to go to the Carribbean and Canada that they have over 1 million applications. Especially since vacation season is upon us. My parents are going to Jamaica in Aug. They applied for their passports back in March. My mom is now in the system as applying and my father is not in the system yet as applying. My parents were told it is taking about 4 months to get passports and my brother who applied this past week was told about 16 weeks through regular processing (not that rushed service they offer, which is also backlogged).

On the travel/passport website they are saying that if you have already applied and you have not yet received anything you can print this prrof of applying so you can fly out to the Carribbean until the end of Sept. The only catch is that they have to have you in the system as applying.

[krafmatic]

We renewed our kids passports in Feb and just got them two weeks ago so most likely it is not because your kids aren't adopted, but instead the system is VERY backed up.

[annaguat]

We just applied for several family members including the girls and were told three months. Anna

[nwparents]

My passport and my son's never showed up as "recieved" or was ever in the system you can check online. We called and they weren't helpful, either. We just eventually got the passports in the mail.

I wouldn't worry. They are horribly backed up right now.

[SaraAvaandLileesMama]

Same here. We applied for my son at the end of April.
I tried to call yesterday and go online. If you go online they said it will take a week to find out. I had no luck. I was told 12 weeks in Apr. But I was going to take my son to visit his sister in July and don't know if it will be here then.

[SkippyRCIS]

After waiting nine weeks we got a letter that they needed proof of citizenship (we did not have his new COC yet) so we mailed off his Guatemalan passport with his entry VISA and got his US passport 2 weeks later.

[KKR213]

I just applied for my son's last Thursday and asked for expedited service. I just checked the online system and it is already logged and states it is in process and I should receive it within 2 - 3 weeks after the date I applied.