Editor’s Note: This story is regularly updated.
U.S. passport processing times have not improved since the State Department announced service delays March, and the agency expects them to remain consistent for the rest of 2023.
As of July, Americans can expect regular passport service to take 10 to 13 weeks and expedited service to take 7 to 9 weeks, plus two weeks for processing and mailing. .
“We are working hard to get back to pre-pandemic processing time towards the end of… 2023 [by] increase hiring and training, allow overtime, and invest in automation and other technologies,” a State Department official said.
The State Department advises travelers to extend at least six months before planning a trip. It is also important to renew at least six months in advance as most countries require visitors’ passports to be valid. valid for six months at the time of travel. Be sure to check country-specific requirements as some requirements are valid for six months from the date of entry and some six months from the scheduled date of departure.
Current processing time
Applicants for new and extended passports should expect 10 to 13 weeks for regular service. Alternatively, they can pay an extra $60 and expedite the service sign-up a little faster in seven to nine weeks.
The quoted wait time does not include mailing time, which could add several weeks to home delivery time to receive your passport.
The delayed wait time is due to the increased demand for passports caused by the pandemic. In 2022, the agency processed nearly 22 million passport products and is expected to surpass that number this year with half a million passports a week, according to a State Department spokesman.
This need leads to a backlog of apps and longer-than-average wait times across the board for certain U.S. government agency services, including passport services. Four Trusted Traveler programs operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Global Entry, Pre-check TSA, joint And SENTRI) are also affected, albeit to a lesser extent.
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Even so, processing times continue to fall from the peak of the pandemic. Case in point: I caused it myself A hopeless search to expedite my passport renewal in June 2021, when the typical processing time is 18 weeks.
Although I finally received my passport seven weeks later, travelers can retroactively process their passport applications by calling 877-487-2778. Before you call, check your status online to see where your passport is in the process.
I shared my own experience of not being able to connect with someone at the National Passport Center over the phone (this reflects stories from others I’ve heard).
If an applicant pays an additional $60 for expedited service and does not receive their passport within the provided expedited timeframe, they can apply for a refund.
Other things to know
Because emergency international travelYou can try to book a limited face-to-face appointment in two cases:
- For emergencies — such as deaths — that require travel within 72 hours or three business days, you must provide proof of a qualifying incident.
- For non-urgent trips within 14 days or if you need a foreign visa within 28 calendar days, you must provide proof of travel.
Emergency Travel and Emergency Travel appointments can only be made by phone.
Online passport renewal is still unavailable as the agency takes customer feedback to improve the process. While it anticipates rolling out online passport renewal services for applicants by the end of the year, the timing is yet to be decided, although previously announced March implementation date.
However, the processing time reflects the processing time in person or by mail.
bottom line
Regardless of your travel plans, submit your passport as soon as possible for processing, as times will likely remain unchanged for the rest of the year.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will update its website with the latest passport processing times for travelers.
“We continue to advise travelers to carefully consider current passport processing times … before undertaking any definite or non-refundable travel plans,” the State Department official said.
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