The State Department Announces Faster U.S. Passport Processing

From October 2022 to September 2023, the U.S. State Department issued a record-breaking 24 million passports in just one year, the highest in the nation’s history. However, distributing these passports to travelers has occasionally posed challenges.

Following the pandemic, a significant increase in international travel demand, along with understaffed passport processing centers, led to delays in obtaining new or renewed passports. Earlier in 2023, the standard processing time had stretched to between 10 and 13 weeks.

Fortunately, for the second time in two months, processing times have decreased, nearly returning to the pre-pandemic averages of 6 to 8 weeks. Last month, wait times were reduced to between 8 and 11 weeks for routine applications and 5 to 7 weeks for expedited processing.

Starting November 6, all passport applications for new or renewed booklets and cards will be processed in 7 to 10 weeks for routine service and in 3 to 5 weeks for expedited service, as per the latest announcement from the State Department.

The agency reminds applicants that the processing time starts once the application is received at a passport agency or processing center. It’s important to note that these wait times do not account for mailing periods, which can add up to two weeks on either end of the process. The standard fee for a passport application is $130, along with a $35 execution fee for first-time applicants. An additional $60 is charged for expedited service, excluding the extra costs for rushed shipping.

What is contributing to the reduction in processing times? The State Department stated, "We are actively recruiting and hiring across our passport agencies and centers. Our passport staff nationwide are putting in tens of thousands of overtime hours each month to fulfill the demand for millions of passports from American travelers." They also noted, "We have opened a satellite office to help manage the high volume of applications we are receiving."

Evidently, these additional efforts are paying off. For travelers needing a refresher on the passport application process, here’s our step-by-step guide to applying for a new passport, as well as information on renewing an expired passport, how to secure a passport appointment, and tips for getting a passport quickly.