Staff no longer make “door-to-door” estimates. One thing the department official mentioned that is important to take into account, is that there have been changes in what the state department counts when estimating wait times. The department expects to return to pre-COVID renewal times “once resources allow.” The department official told TPG that staff will “continue to work to reduce processing times” in both categories, “while protecting the health and safety of our staff and customers.” Related: Here’s how and when to renew your passport That’s when it announced anticipated wait times of eight to eleven weeks for routine service and five to seven weeks for expedited service.
The State Department updated its public guidance for service expectations on Oct. (Getty Images) Better now, but not completely The delays created logistical problems for some travelers, including members of our TPG staff. The problem peaked in the summer of 2021, when processing times reached 18 weeks, and the department was not able to offer any expedited service. TPG has reported for well over a year on the delays the pandemic has caused for passport renewal times, with COVID-19 having “drastically reduced the department’s capacity to issue passports,” a State Department official shared with TPG this week. While I admittedly did not need the passport during the four-and-a-half months that followed, it wasn’t until mid-July of 2020 that I eventually received a new one. getting new passport designĪnticipating a May 2020 trip to the Bahamas (that got canceled), I mailed my passport in for renewal during the last week of February 2020, weeks before it became clear the virus would have a significant impact on all facets of our lives and indeed on travel, particularly of the international nature. citizens to experience firsthand how the pandemic slowed passport renewal times. The department did not know when turnaround time might go back to what it was pre-pandemic. Those estimates represent a significant improvement from the earlier days of the pandemic, when people waited several months for their new passport.
For expedited requests, wait times are estimated at five to seven weeks, compared to two to three weeks before March 2020.įor more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. State Department official, wait times for standard passport renewals currently fall between eight and eleven weeks, longer than the six to eight weeks it took prior to the pandemic.
If you changed your name within one year of getting your passport, click here for a renewal form.Wait times for passport renewals have drastically improved from last year, but they’re still not back to pre-COVID-19 timeframes, Biden administration officials told TPG this week.Īccording to a U.S. Department of State recommends applying for a passport 4-6 months prior to planned travel.įor the most current information and questions related to passport processing and travel, be sure to check Īdult passports are valid for 10 years, children (under 16) for five years. Department of State receives the application **Return Mail time varies across the country, which may affect the date the applicant receives the passport. **Return Mail time varies across the country, which may affect the date the applicant receives the passport.Įxpedite Service (for an additional $60) – Processing time is 5-7 weeks from the day the U.S. Department of State receives the application. Routine Service – Processing time is 8-11 weeks from the day the U.S. Processing times begin the day your application is received by the US Department of State, not the day it is mailed from the Acceptance Facility.Ĭurrent Processing Times (new applicants and renewals): Per the US Department of State ( ), USPS mail delays are impacting when passport applications are received for processing. – 3:30 p.m., BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.Ĭompleted passport application packets are mailed from our office to the National Passport Center who approves the application, creates and mails the passport book and/or card to the approved applicant. Passport Application Acceptance Service for new applicants is available in the City of Casa Grande Clerk’s office Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m.
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