Saturday, February 21, 2009

Birth Certificates and Passports

Do you know where your birth certificate is? I thought I knew where mine was, and after spending a week looking for it, I knew it was time to get a new one. When you apply for a new birth certificate, the form plainly says allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery. I know that government agencies don't get in any hurry. First they have to wait for your check to clear, and then allow time for it to bounce and come back. Then they get around to processing your order.

I don't have 4 to 6 weeks to wait, but I ordered one last week by snail mail. That was $12.00. I knew that wasn't going to work, so I called the Arkansas Bureau of Vital Statistics and was told exactly what I already knew. But the lady to whom I spoke suggested that I go to a web site and I could have one expedited for a nice fee. That was another $12 for the certificate, $11 for the expeditious treatment, and $15 for FedEx to deliver. I ordered it on Tuesday and got it yesterday. And it has an official seal, so I think I'm in good shape.

I'm up early this morning to make a trip to the nearest 'Receiving Agency' to apply for the passport. I guess then I'll see how long it takes for it to make it here. You may be wondering what a 'Recieving Agency' is. Well, that's a designated post office. The one on the Campus where I work is one and I think the main post office in town is one also. I don't know for sure if the post office on campus is open on Saturday morning, so I'm heading that way in just a bit to see.

I got my mug shot taken last week for my passport, and I have my application filled out, so if I can just get it expedited, I'll be in good shape.

It's been a busy week at work. We have a lady who may have to either go to part time or go on disability, and we have been doing some reorganizing this past week. Someone has to learn her job, and someone has to learn their job, and we begin to feel like dominos falling. So, I'm doing my job, and learning a new one. I have been living in a comfort zone for a while now with my job. But now, I'm having to go outside that zone and learn lots of new information. It will be all right. You really can teach an old dog new tricks. I just worry about the people who will have to put up with my learning curve. Hopefully, it won't bee too long.

I hope you have an enjoyable Saturday. Pray for our country. Love one another.

2 comments:

Lisa said...

Are you skipping the country??? Why are you in need of a passport so quickly? They are processing them quicker now than say a year ago. The big rush seems to be over. We got ours back very quickly it seems and did not pay for the extra to rush it. So good luck. But still wondering why you are leaving in such a hurry. That's my suspucious police mind wondering!!!

Christina @ Cookies are my Canvas said...

Where you goin??? Tara and I might want to go with you!

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