Passport Service of the U.S. Department of State - Should You Apply Directly for Your Passport?

The Passport Service of the U.S. Department of Statews Bureau of Consular Affairs is the only authorized passport issuing agency for citizens of the United States who intend to travel internationally. The State Department's Passport Services also seeks to protect the integrity of the U.S. passport as proof of U.S. citizenship at home and around the world.

What is the Passpot Service System?

The U.S. Department of State Passport Services consists of:

• Regional Passport Agencies in major U.S. cities
• 1 Gateway City Passport Agency
• 1 Special Issuance Agency
• 3 National Processing Facilities
• The National Passport Information Center;
• A network of more than 9,000 public government passport offices across the U.S. designated by Passport Services to accept applications; and
• Headquarters offices in Washington, DC.

How many passport has Passport Services issued?

The number of passport processed nearly doubled from 4,895,151 in 1994 to 8,825,410 in 2004. In 2008, the number of passport applications processed reached 16,208,003. This included 523,706 passport cards. Much of the increase is due to new passport requirements based on the Western Hempisphere Travel Initiative. See passport statistics here.

How has Passport Services handled the increased demand?

Due to this increase in demand, it was difficult for Passport Services to process passports within the stipulated time. For quite a while, processing of applications took as long as 12 weeks. Over the past year and a half, Passport Services has worked to lower the processing time to between 3 and 4 weeks. Mistakes on applications or problems with documents submitted can prolong the processing time by days or even weeks.

Expedited Passport Services

The State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs also expedite U.S. passport applications in two to three weeks. This time can also be extended if there are problems with the application or documents submitted. The expedited service fee is $60. To use this emergency passport service, you will have to make an appointment at a regional passport agency.

Bob Tedeschi used this passport service and this was his conclusion:

"I spent an entire day sitting in lines in a hot, cramped passport office in Stamford, Conn., since moved to South Norwalk. The office, an hour's drive from my home, was one of the few in the Northeast that provided last-minute service for those who call at least a few days ahead for an appointment. The lines moved at a pace that made those at the Department of Motor Vehicles look fast. In retrospect, given the amount of work I missed and the aggravation, I would've paid $150 for an online service."

Bob Tedeschi, New York Times Travel Section, March 17, 2002

If you are in no rush to get your passport, you can contact the U.S. Department of State's Passport Services where you will find further instructions or visit our Passport Expediter Directory.

Get a passport in as little as 24 hours.

U.S. Passport Top