I HAVE A FRIEND WHO'S FLY DATE IS ABOUT 80 DAYS AWAY. THEY ARE STARTING TO WORRY ABOUT THEIR PASSPORT. THEY APPLIED IN EARLY JANUARY. I KEEP TELLING THEM IT WILL GET HERE, THAT IT TAKES ABOUT 12 WEEKS. DOES ANYONE KNOW OF A WAY TO CHECK ON A PASSPORT?

Tell them try http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html

That does seem a bit long. I sent in for a renewal, no rush, on Feb 23 and got it last Thursday (Mar 25). Perhaps a new one takes longer, but I seem to recall my original only taking about 6 weeks. You maybe better look into this. Has his check cleared the bank yet?

Last year when we got ours, the folks at the courthouse told us to expect it in six weeks. I took this to mean more likely three months. But they showed up in about four weeks. I'd check on it.

If anything is wrong or just done in a manner not to their liking, it could take longer just for the bureacrats to let you know there is a problem.

Joe.

Go to a post office in a major city, pay the extra and get one in a week or two. I've seen signs in Downtown Houston for 24hr passports.

Your friend should go and ask if there is a problem. A new passport should really take only about 3 weeks at most, and an expedited passport takes about a week, even after 9/11, I think. Your friend should call the State Department issueing office they sent the required information to and see if there is a problem.