Plan to Wait a Long Time for Your Passport
If your summer plans include traveling abroad, now is the time to apply for your passport as waiting times increase.
Routine processing is now estimated to take eight to 11 weeks, up from six to nine weeks last month, while expedited processing takes five to seven weeks (down from three five last month). This is from the moment the State Department actually receives your application, so wait at least a few days for the mail to arrive. (The online upgrade pilot program was recently suspended and is expected to resume later this year.)
This means that if you are applying for a passport now, you will likely have to wait until at least early May for a regular application and mid-April for an expedited request.
The Department of State continues to offer 72-hour processing for immediate family -related life-or-death emergencies , as well as faster service for urgent, non-emergency travel that includes making an appointment with a passport agency within 14 days of your departure. . In both cases, additional documentation is required.
Please note that passport waiting times fluctuate throughout the year and some people may still receive their documents in less time or be able to make a last minute appointment at the processing center. But it’s probably not worth the risk if you know you’ll need a passport in the coming months.
How to apply or renew a passport right now
We have outlined the steps for applying for or renewing a passport , including required documentation, application locations, and related costs. Except in situations that require emergency and urgent processing, you can reduce your waiting time by paying $60 for expedited service and $19.53 for 1-2 day delivery.
For now, wait times have actually been reduced from the height of the pandemic, but some travel experts still suggest applicants pay for expedited service just in case.