Important Updates on Passport Processing

The Department of Point out is committed to delivering the ideal feasible company for our passport shoppers.  We motivate all People to test their passport expiration day just before building any definitive designs for international travel, and to take action to renew their passport properly in advance of global travel this year.  This is primarily critical as we technique what is envisioned to be our busiest summer months vacation season on document.

Our passport processing times are at present 8-11 months for regimen processing and 5-7 months for expedited processing, which fees an further $60 for each software.  These processing moments fluctuate during the yr dependent on desire and we foresee that they will rise, particularly as we tactic the busier travel time.  Processing periods commence when we receive an application and do not consist of shipping and delivery periods.

As much more Us residents are touring internationally all over again, we are directing means to fulfill the unprecedented demand from customers viewed so considerably in 2023.  We are on keep track of to set the history for the greatest demand yr ever, far surpassing volumes noticed for the duration of preceding surges in demand from customers in 2007 and 2017.  During some weeks this winter, the Division received far more than 500,000 apps, the maximum amount at any time for this time of calendar year, exceeding our formal projections.

We are addressing the increased workload by a selection of attempts.  We are aggressively recruiting and employing across our passport agencies and centers.  Our passport crew customers nationwide add tens of thousands of hours of extra time a month to issue the millions of passports sought by traveling Individuals.  We have opened a satellite office environment to aid procedure the significant range of applications we are obtaining.

We understand some consumers are going through prolonged wait moments when calling the National Passport Details Heart and we are getting methods to increase the phone encounter.  We inspire shoppers who have inquiries about how to implement or the status of their passport software to stop by our web page, travel.point out.gov, which has substantial information and will allow buyers to verify the position of their passport application and sign up for updates by using e-mail.

We are dedicated to transparency and will proceed to present typical updates about passport processing times, and to encourage Americans to use for their passport perfectly in progress of any prepared international journey to stay away from last-minute challenges.  We also really encourage all U.S. citizens touring overseas to enroll in the Clever Traveler Enrollment Program (Stage.state.gov) so they can acquire vital messages about their locations straight, which include timely Alerts and updates to Journey Advisories, and to enable us to guide in an unexpected emergency.