The office of U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-9, has received many requests from constituents recently seeking help expediting their passport applications.

This is because many tourist destinations now require U.S. citizens to have at least six months of validity left on their passports in order to travel, a requirement of which many are unaware.

Meuser has added a “passport” section on his website with helpful information. Constituents can visit the passport section of the website at https://meuser.house.gov/services/passports.

Always check the expiration date on your passport before making plans to travel internationally.

The routine processing time for renewing a passport through the State Department is 10 to 13 weeks, and the expedited passport renewal time is 7 to 9 weeks.

If residents of Meuser’s district find themselves in a bind with limited time before traveling, his office may be able to help. If a constituent’s passport is expired or expiring and they are within 14 days of traveling, residents should contact Meuser’s office.

To request assistance with a passport, residents can fill out the privacy release form or call the Meuser’s Pottsville office at 570-781-6370 or his Washington, D.C. office at 202-225-6511.