U.S. Passport Agency Information

How long does it take the US passport agency to process an application?

The US passport agency claims that regular passport applications are processed and sent out by regular US Mail "normally" within 4 to 6 weeks. Expedited orders are processed and sent by regular US Mail "ordinarily" in 2 to 3 weeks. There is no guarantee.

If you need your passport in a hurry and you prefer a guaranteed service, you can apply through a private passport expediting service.

Bob Tedeschi used a US State Department Passport Agency. This is what he had to say about the experience.

"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. The NPIC is a call center which serves to schedule appointments for the regional agencies and respond to inquiries. 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 closed on national holidays and weekends.

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 the US Passport Agency that serves your state by choosing from the list 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

U.S. Passport Top