Frustrated, any advice or ideas welcome

So I thought everything was set for my surgery. Heck I even got my passport updated....

Well my best friend was supposed to go with since my husband cannot take off work for it. We sent her stuff to get a passport card and today she gets a letter saying basically that her id is insufficient and she needs to send 5 copies of additional documentation PLUS a supplemental packet. There is no info on how much longer this could take and after speaking with them they couldn't give us any further info on how long it will take or why her identity is in question.


WE LEAVE IN 46 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


On top of that she hasn't ever had a job that was on the books, does not have a driver's license (just a FL-state issued identity card) and has not graduated HS

 (her mother passed away when she was 14 and she was passed around between family members until she turned 18, then basically was given room and board in exchange for taking care of her cousin's children so with all that going on has not gotten a GED and is now in the process of trying to find a job)

So some of the stuff they are wanting, she doesnt have.

So far we may be able  (possibly) to get school records...but they are all the way in Virginia.
We may be able to get Emergency Room records from when she went to the ER a month ago.
She has a bank account with debit card (they said she can use this)
She doesn't have any bills in her name.
She has a social security card
They already have a copy of her ID and they also have her birth certificate


Anyways Idk... I am frustrated as FUCK right now and scared of having to go alone. We don't understand why the **** her identity is in question in the first place when they have the "required" documents they usually require. She even met with the people at the passport office when she initially went to put in her application and they said that was all she needed and now she has to PROVE she is who she says she is. I understand the whole making sure she isnt a criminal, here illegally etc etc but why is she being penalized when they have her state issued birth certificate and a state issued ID as well as she has a social security card .

Anyone else or their travel companions deal with this?! 

Anyone that did travel alone, any advice? IDK im just ******g crying my eyes out right now and feeling angry and upset.

I hope it all works out so that she can go.  If you have to go alone, in your place I would.  Don't put it off so that later you might not have the money or the time or the health to do it. 

Good luck!

S

Not sure why your friend might be under extra scrutiny....  Just the 'luck of the draw'????

I was able to get my special needs adult daughter a passport with only an ID card and birth certificate...and she can't even sign her name    

Sorry you're having to go through this....  Hope everything works out OK for you.

I think you (she) could seek help for her through her congressperson or senator's office.  Please give them a call.  They have staff members who are able to assist with problems such as this one.

 I agree with Walter's  Wife !   This is  a great time to  solicit the help of  Ur local  state senator's  office even ...  their trained staffers willgenerally  cut through the red tape pronto for loyal voters .

Ad of course you DID vote for him or her  right ?!   LOL 

 All you can do is comply with what they are asking for and send the proper documentation. If I were to guess, the red flag was raised against no funds taken out for Social Security and no Federal Tax withholding since everything was under the table. You can try expediting the matters by contacting your congress person's office. Did you pay the extra to have the packet rushed through? Has the US started issuing Biometric Passports and are requiring more information.?? Try submitting a set of fingerprints with a notarized letter or sworn affidavit attesting to identity. A library card may be fine.                                                                                                                                                   New U.S. Birth Certificate                                                                                            Requirement

 Beginning April 1, 2011, the U.S. Department of State will require the full names of the applicant’s parent(s) to be listed on all certified birth certificates to be considered as primary evidence of U.S. citizenship for all passport applicants, regardless of age.  Certified birth certificates missing this information will not be acceptable as evidence of citizenship.  This will not affect applications already in-process that have been submitted or accepted before the effective date. 

I understand your frustration. I would enourage you to continue to "jump through the hoops" that you and your friend need to to get her passport....but to not put off your chance for WLS if you feel as though this is the time! May God guide and direct you and give you peace in all this! God bless! Cindy

thanks for all the replies guys :)

I am a bit more calm now...lol.

We talked to someone a bit more helpful and found out we can also get copies of her parent's birth certificates (as well as her mother's death certificate). Also worst case scenario she said if its within 14 days of travel we can make an appt to go to the miami passport processing location . I will definitely seek out a local congressman and see if they cannot help us expedite this.

Worst  worst case scenario...I am going it alone, not postponing. Hopefully we can get things straightened out though.

I think about taxes etc never being taken out as well as just her lack of records may play part in this as well as just being a lucky one to get singled out.

The woman on the phone also told us that with overnighting it to them we should have some time still to get things cleared up.

Good luck with everything =)
Hope it all works out.

Putting good thoughts out in the universe for you and your friend. Things will work out. Dont give up.

Dani