Originally Posted by
Working Dog
As I mentioned in the previous post, I would like to renew ?my? U.S. Passport for the sole purpose of international travel. As an experiment, I filled out the ?renewal? form in the style of Martin Earl, as near as I could tell from his description (e.g. not for id, ?0??s for SSN, R4C most of their notices, etc.) I also included a letter, noticing them, as per the instructions on the particulars as indicated and also noting the fact that an error had been made in my original application many years ago, and asking them to correct my political status to a national of the United States for international travel purposes since I was born in a union State. I also noticed them that the funds associated with this renewal were being paid in redeemed lawful money pursuant to Title 12 U.S.C. 411. I signed in my true name but was also careful to use proper nouns for the names on the passport form. This obviously does not match the NAME on the old passport, which I provided to them as per the instructions.
Two weeks after my submission, I received a response from the Passport Office that I found educational. They pointed out that the facts of my ?birth? appear to entitle me to a U.S. Passport but that due to the 14th Amendment, I was ?U.S. citizen?. They also objected to me striking out the ?penalty of perjury? words in the ?oath? and finally noted that all funds, expect those associated with ?overnight delivery? are non refundable. The letter was unsigned and unattributed.
I responded to the letter with some questions to clarify how the 14th Amendment related to me, and if they were content to maintain inaccurate records. I finished with another request for them to reissue the passport. I have now received yet another unsigned, unattributed letter from ?customer service? saying that they will not process the request without a ?new, un-altered? ?application?. They specifically did not answer any of my questions.
I am now contemplating my approach going forward. According to their letter I have 90 days but who really knows.
On one hand I don?t mind exploring a bit more to see what I can learn as others may gain some value in that exercise. On the other hand, exploring may just be a waste of time with the ?gatekeeper? who is not trustworthy enough to even provide their name.
Interestingly, in some of my recent related research I have come across copies of passport applications from the early 1900?s, after the Federal Reserve Act but before the Social Security Act where men and women born in one of the union States were referred to as ?a Native and Loyal Citizen of the United States? ? NOT U.S. citizens. Even more interestingly, the applications are for ?Commercial Travelers? with references to the ?Trading with the Enemy Act?. I wonder what the deal is for ?non-commercial travelers?. Folks at that time seemed to usually sign their name in proper English (First and Last)
All thoughts appreciated!