By Debbie McGoldrick

“I was born and raised in New York. My parents applied for a U.S. passport for me when I was five years old. I am now 29 and have re-applied for another one as my Irish husband and I want to travel to Ireland at the end of the year. Getting my new American passport, though, has been a nightmare. I submitted my birth certificate and old passport, paid my fees and even put in for expedited service. However, I have been notified by the agency that they need several more documents from me, including school transcripts and bills with my name on it. I checked the paperwork again in case I missed a section, but there’s nothing that says I have to submit such documents. The more I submit, the more they say they need. Can this be? And what can I do to sort the mess out?”

THIS column never came across a letter like yours before. Given that you’re an American citizen, it shouldn’t be so difficult to obtain a passport, especially as you’ve been issued one before.

But according to Kelly Shannon, press officer at the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs in Washington, D.C., that’s not necessarily the case. Though a problem like the one your experiencing is rare, it’s not unheard of, she says.

Basically, it all comes down to having to prove identity beyond a shadow of a doubt. “It’s a matter of security for us and for the traveler as well,” she said. “We take all necessary steps when adjudicating passports, and the same goes for visa adjudication.”

Shannon readily acknowledges that U.S. passport issuance is, by and large, a routine matter easily accomplished when the applicant provides proof of citizenship (certified birth certificate or naturalization certificate) and identity (for example, a driver’s license.)

Though not wanting to comment on the particulars surrounding this week’s questioner, it’s likely that something was flagged when security checks were undertaken on her name, Shannon said, adding that every precaution must be taken in order to insure the integrity of the passport being issued.

What could have happened? Your name could have shown any number of things — perhaps an attempt by someone to have a passport issued in an identical name with identical information (identity theft). 

Background checks on all applicants for U.S. immigration documents are extremely thorough, especially since September 11. Though what you’re experiencing is obviously alarming, it will undoubtedly be sorted out and chalked up to a misunderstanding.

A friend of mine was approved last year for an H-1B visa, but was detained by the American Embassy in Dublin for an extra month because his name appeared on a criminal database. He couldn’t move until the matter was sorted out, and it was, eventually. The same will be true in your case.

In the meantime, work with the passport officials as much as you can, and provide them with all the information they request, odd as some of the documents may be. All they’re trying to do is prove that you are who you say you are. The quicker you give them what they want, the sooner you’ll have your passport.

It would also be a good idea to give a call to the offices of Senator Hillary Clinton and/or Senator Charles Schumer. Let them know what’s going on, and ask for their assistance.

One other thing Shannon advised — it’s a good idea to keep passports current. Letting a period of many years go by before renewal could delay the process, as this week’s questioner is finding to her detriment.