US Passport Processing Times: Good news for people who tend to delay things: The U.S. government is now taking less time to process passport applications.
If you send in your passport application on a Monday or later, you’ll have to wait between eight and 11 weeks for it to be processed if you choose the regular service. This is faster than before when it used to take 10 to 13 weeks. If you need your passport sooner, you can use the expedited service, which will now take five to seven weeks instead of seven to nine weeks. However, this faster service comes with an extra $60 fee.
Keep in mind that these timeframes don’t include the time it takes for your passport to be delivered to you.
The State Department mentioned that they have been working hard to speed up passport processing. They have also increased their staffing by 10% and have plans to hire more people. From October 2022 to September 2023, they issued more than 24 million passport books and cards, which is a record.
Even with the shorter wait times, it’s still a good idea for travelers to plan ahead and check their passport’s expiration date. The State Department recommends applying for a new passport at least six to nine months before it expires and well before your planned trip.
