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If your summer plans include a trip abroad, now is the time to apply for your passport, as wait times are on the rise.
The Washington Post reports that routine processing is currently estimated to take anywhere from eight to 11 weeks compared to six to nine weeks last month, while expedited applications are taking five to seven weeks (versus three to five last month). That’s from the time the State Department actually receives your application, so tack on at least a few days for the mail to arrive. (The online renewal pilot program was recently suspended and is expected to relaunch later this year.)
That means that if you apply for a passport now, you’ll likely be waiting until at least early May for a regular application and early to mid-April for an expedited request.
The State Department does still offer 72-hour processing for life-or-death emergencies involving immediate family members as well as a faster service for urgent, non-emergency travel, which involves booking an appointment at a passport agency within 14 days of your departure. In both cases, extra documentation is required.
Note that it’s normal for passport wait times to fluctuate throughout the year, and some people may still receive their documents in less time or be able to snag last-minute appointments at a processing center. But it’s probably not worth the risk if you know you need your passport in the coming months.
How to apply for or renew your passport right now
We’ve outlined the steps to apply for or renew a passport, including the documentation needed, where to apply, and the costs involved. Outside of situations that qualify for emergency and urgent processing, you potentially reduce your wait time by paying the $60 fee for expedited service as well as a $19.53 charge for 1–2 day delivery.
At the moment, wait times are actually down from the height of the pandemic, but some travel experts are still suggesting that applicants pay for expedited service just in case.
