Tired of dealing with bureaucrats when it comes to getting your passport? Maybe it's time to call your Member of Congress. While they can't perform miracles, they can get things moving if you have at least done your part.  Note, things are  much better this year so get that passport now. It's good for 10 years for adults.

Travel Deadline nearing and you don't have a US passport
Don't despair or give up quite yet. Many people have been trying to get their US passports so that they can take their dream vacations to Europe, China and Australia. However, the Passport Agency at the US State Department is totally swamped. They are doing the best they can, but that may not be enough when it comes to your vacation plans.

In fact, several Millennial Living website users have contacted me asking what other steps they can take to get their passports. These folks are not at fault. They have done the following:

• Filed their applications and paper work 6-8 weeks in advance,
• Have not heard anything from the US Passport Agency about the status of their US passports,
• Have not been able to get a satisfactory answer via email on the status of their application, and
• Nor have they been given any assurance that their US passports would arrive in time.

What to do next?
Of course you can cancel or delay your trip. That seems very unfair, after all you did what you were supposed to do. You may even be at risk for losing money if you cancel. Don't do either right now, instead follow these instructions about 2-3 weeks before your scheduled trip.
Get out the copies of your passport application:

1. Call 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778), TDD: 1-888-874-7793 and speak to a live operator who should be available 6:00 am to midnight. It is a mad house at the Passport Agency so keep calling until you get through, and
2. You must get through to a live person and explain your situation. I would forget about email. Tell them when you applied and see if they can track the status.

• If you can't get through to a live person from the US Passport Agency, you should contact your US Congressman or US Senator. We've provided an easy way to search for your US Congressman by State as well as your US Senator's contact information,
• Call your member of Congress at their local number or the number in Washington DC. Explain that you applied weeks ago- its better to provide a date, and that despite your efforts to contact the US Passport Agency that you just can get through or get any assurance that you will have your passport in time for your trip,
• Ask your member of Congress to intervene for you and help you get your passport. Keep in mind that your US Congressman is their to serve you and that they norm ally come to the rescue of many constituents who are the victims of bureaucracy, inefficient operations etc.,
• Provide the Congressman's staffer with a telephone number that you can be reached at and be prepared to travel to the Passport Agencies. That is where you will be taken care of once your Congressman gets US Passport's attention, and
• Be prepared to pay extra to have your US Passports sent to you via overnight mail unless you want to return to the Passport Agency.