Need a Passport? Apply early.

Citizens of the United States have been required for years to present a valid passport when re-entering the U.S. after an overseas visit. The requirement went into effect earlier this year that air travel returning from travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean need to show a valid passport. The requirement for land and sea travel returning to the U.S. is scheduled for January 2008.

These new requirements set off an avalanche of passport applications and a backlog in processing those applications. Historically, processing an application took six weeks with an option to expedite the process only taking two to three weeks. Today, the processing time is 10-12 weeks or longer. The State Department estimates it will process a record-breaking 17 million passports in 2007, compared with 12 million in 2006. That number will jump to 30 million by 2010.

Tips for preventing passport problems:

• *Apply of your passport at least three months prior to a trip.
• *First time? If you have never had a passport, you must apply in person at any one of the designated facilities that include some post offices, libraries, clerks of court, municipal offices, etc. For the one nearest you: iafdb.travel.state.gov.
• *In a hurry? Pay $60 for expedited delivery. Paying for overnight delivery both ways may also help speed things along.
• *If you are traveling within two weeks and need a passport, make an appointment to visit the Colorado Passport Agency in Aurora in person. The phone number is 1-877-487-2778 and the office is open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. This is an option only for travelers who have proof they are leaving within 14 days.
• *Travelers can check the status of their pending passport applications online at http://travel.state.gov. Information is normally available online approximately four weeks after the application is submitted.
• *Those who have applied and are leaving within two weeks can visit http://travel.state.gov/passport/about/npic/npic_895.htmlto send an email inquiry to check the status or call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.
• *Sign your passport after you receive it and fill in the emergency information page.
• *Always keep your passport in a safe place. Never leave your passport in your luggage, backpack, purse, car or hotel room. E-mail yourself a copy of your passport and other documents so you can access it from anywhere in the world.
• *Schedule the renewal of your passport at least 9-12 months prior to its expiration. Some countries will not accept a passport that is within six months of expiration.

The moral of this story - apply early. Many a dream vacation has been ruined while waiting for that little document to arrive. If you have any questions or need help applying for a passport, call Becky at City Lights Travel Club, 303-432-3188, www.citylightstravelclub.com.