GREEN BAY (NBC 26) -- The Brown County Clerk’s Office is reporting a large backlog of passport applications.
The office said Monday that anyone planning a vacation or traveling in the near future is encouraged to apply now because it will take months to get applications processed and returned.
The office cites a shutdown that happened back on March 19, when the Department of State US Passport Services stopped processing passports at all 17 agencies. Following, they suggested agents not to accept applications. In the past several months, the agency primarily had processed passports only for emergency situations.
The Brown County Clerk’s Office said remaining passports applications have accumulated. As of July 22, there are 1.23 million passports waiting to be processed, the clerk’s office said. Agencies will be processing passports in the order they are received.
Many applicants that applied in February are still awaiting receipt of their passports.
The Brown County Clerk’s Office said it takes applications weekdays between 8 am and 3:30 pm. Those applying are asked to call ahead to make an appointment in order to maintain social distancing (920-448-4016, option 2).
The office said it can’t expedite passports at this time. There is no scheduled time frame for applications in which they will be processed and returned.
The Brown County Clerk’s Office said Congressman Gallagher and Senator Johnson offices are monitoring the backlog and their offices are willing to help applicants get their passport in a timely manner.
