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Government Efficiency - Who Woulda Thunk It?
Author: Jenn, Category: Life
I just have to say - I’m pretty damned impressed with the State Department.
I’m hoping to make time to visit England in February. It’s my first international trip (other than a trip to Canada as a kid, which I don’t count). I didn’t have my passport yet.
While I knew not to expect the 12-week-style delays of last year, I was expecting it to at least take 2 - 3 weeks before I’d get it.
To my amazement, it arrived yesterday - just 5 business days after applying. I don’t know if I’ve ever been that shocked on checking the mail.
I was anxious for it for a few reasons:
1. I didn’t want to seriously look into hotels and flights until I knew I had that in-hand.
2. I found out recently that I was born a dual-citizen (US and German). I needed to get this passport before I could go up to NY to the German mission and apply for a German passport as well.
Because it came so quickly (and if I get some news I’m expecting this week), I may even have the German passport before going to England. I don’t really need it while I’m in England, but if and when I go back to Europe, it means I can travel a bit more freely (read: quickly) between EU countries. Being the family history buff that I am, it’s also pretty exciting uncovering a birthright like that - especially one that connects me to the most difficult branch of my family tree to trace (my namesake no less).
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