U.S. Passport Agency Information
How long does it take the US passport agency to process an application?
If you need your passport in a hurry and you prefer a guaranteed service, U.S. Passport Service Guide highly recommends Rush My Passport.
Bob Tedeschi used a US State Department Passport Agency. Here is his conclusion:
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"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 |
Why does it take the US passport agency so long to process a passport?
The 1990's witnessed a dramatic increase in US passport processing. The total number of passports processed annually increased from a little over 3 million to more than 7 million during this period. The US passport agency has had a difficult time keeping up with the demand.
What has the US passport agency done to compensate for the increase in passports?
The US Passport Agency created the National Passport Information Center, a fee-based call center. Instead of fielding calls, more time could be spent processing passports. This has helped very little; it still takes a lot longer for a passport application to be processed and processing times are very unpredictable.
Is the US Passport Agency open on weekends and holidays?
No. The US Passport Agency is also closed on weekends. The US Passport Agency and most foreign embassies observe national holidays.
Where can I find a US Passport Agency accepting appointments?
If you need your passport urgently, generally in less than 2 weeks, you can contact a US Passport Agency listed below.
You need to call the US Passport Agency nearest you in advance.
Click to expedite your passport in 10 days or less.
Passport Agencies
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