The State Department says a massive backlog that slowed the process to a crawl last year to get a passport has cleared, but it never hurts to plan ahead. They are advising students making the annual trip to sandy shores to apply now for the travel documents, which are required for all passengers traveling in and out of the United States by air.
The State Department said spring breakers should start by filling out the passport application.
In its annual guide for spring breakers, the department puts the passport requirement first among numerous pieces of advice for the beach-bound, ahead of warnings on drugs and alcohol, sexual assault, robbery and poor road conditions.
The State Department says it takes four to six weeks to receive your passport and expedited services three weeks. The cost of a passport has gone up, adults cost $100 dollars and children cost $85 dollars.
If you need a passport within two weeks or have questions you can call the national passport information center at (877) 487-2778.
