I am taking my parents on a trip to South Africa next month (first time out of the country for bothof them). My mom got her passport the other day, 3 weeks after submitting it, and is set to go.

However, my dad got a letter today saying that since he was born in the Canal Zone (Panama), he needs a certified birth certificate from the State Department as well as one of his parent's passports to complete his passport application. Anybody else have an experience with this? Is there any way to expedite the process?

We leave in 5 weeks for Jo'burg. Is my dad out of luck? If not, any suggestions? Thanks!

My brother was born on a U.S. military base in Japan. Both of my parents are American. When he first traveled abroad, he was required to get a certified copy of his birth certificate from the U.S. State Department in Washington, where they keep the records. Check the U.S. State Department website and call them. The snail mail way entailed a call requesting an application, receiving the app, completing and submitting the app along with a check for the certificate. From the initial call to receipt of the certificate it took four months! Perhaps you can download the app and fedex. I believe there is a service to expedite the processing time for a fee. Not sure about that. Better hurry!

I can't imagine why they would need the passport of one of your father's parents. His birth certificate should state his parents' nationality.

Long form birth certificates state the child's parents' identities--not their citizenships.

Form FS-240 issued by the Department of State, entitled "REPORT OF BIRTH / CHILD BORN ABROAD OF AMERICAN PARENT OR PARENTS," with regard to citizenship of parents, provides three areas for determination of the parents' citizenship: 1)naturalized (if foreign born)...; 2) registered as American citizen at...on...; 3) passport no. ...dated...valid to...

I could be wrong, but isn't their a passport office in Houston where you are from? One of the 8 or so passport offices should be able to take care of this in a couple of hours. I had my reissue done in 2 hours. I believe you have to appear in person if you do that though. No one can go for your dad.

There is an additional charge of around $50 for the same day issuance but for slightly less, you can have it expedited in less than 7 days.

You have to make an appointment at most if not all of the passport offices now, they do not take walk ins. The number to call will be listed on the website (www.state.gov), you put in your social using a touch tone phone and they give you a window in the next day or so to show up.

Show up early, they will make you wait, show up late and you have to start all over again. It cuts the lines down dramaticailly.