Traveling Overseas? Anticipate Long Passport Processing Times

If you need to apply for or renew a U.S. Passport, it’s best to be proactive and allow more time than usual. The U.S. State Department is warning of extended processing delays, which can take several months to receive your passport.

Current Passport Processing Times

Processing a routine passport is taking 10 to 13 weeks, not including the time it takes to arrive and depart the processing facilities. By paying an additional $60 fee, expedited processing of passport applications is averaging seven to nine weeks.

It’s essential to note that it can take up to two weeks for the processing center to receive your application. Mailing times are not factored into the potential 13-week processing estimate.

These time estimates have increased since March 2023, when it could take up to 11 weeks for routine applications and five weeks for expedited.

The State Department mentions that passport application volumes are up 30% to 40% compared to the calendar year 2022. Further, the agency hopes to have processing times back to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023, which were six to eight weeks for routine passports and two to three weeks for expedited profiles.

One way the agency hopes to reduce processing times is by relaunching the online renewal platform that has been temporarily taken down to correct programming errors.

Passport Renewal Deadlines

As it has been several years since many travelers have gone outside the country, they may not realize in time that their passport is expired or near expiration.

First-time applicants should start the application process at least three months before planning to book travel. The travel provider may request passport details when paying for the itinerary to verify certain traveler detailers, making a current passport necessary.

Renew With At Least Six Months Left

Travel restrictions are at a minimum, but many countries now require international visitors to have a passport that has at least six months left before expiring. So, travelers may need to delay their overseas vacation until they receive a new passport if it’s within six months to 12 months from expiring.

Being proactive can also mean avoiding paying the expedited processing fee.

Complete All Paperwork

Processing delays can also occur when documents are missing details or incorrectly completed. It’s also important to have valid passport photos.

Needing to submit updated information extends the processing times.

Contact The National Passport Information Center

For special situations only, travelers needing to travel outside the United States can call the National Passport Information Center when the trip starts within 14 days.

Contact is only to be made for urgent or emergency travel reasons. It’s possible to make an appointment at a local passport center or agency for in-person processing. Each request is made on a case-by-case basis.

Final Thoughts

It was possible to get a passport quickly, not too long ago. Plan on it taking at least two or three months to get a passport, even with expedited processing, as international travel is popular. Planning ahead can prevent last-minute travel stress.

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