Applicants who are not in a hurry can apply for routine processing in order to secure a passport. The U.S. State Department offers expedited service for those who need to travel within 30 days. Emergency passport service is available to Americans who require their travel document in less than 14 days or within 30 days if a visa is also needed.
For over 20 years we have been helping readers to get their travel documents fast by offering advice to select the sppropriate services and avoid processing delays. Read on for the latest options and explore the menu to the left to find the specific support you need with your travel documents.
The U.S. Department of State regularly updates their passport processing times. Below are the most current timelines you can expect for new passports and passport renewals.
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To find out more, read our blog post, How To Get A Passport For An Infant: A Complete Guide To Baby Passports.
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Tips on using the correct form version, filling out the form accurately, and ensuring a smooth and fast passport renewal process.
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Standard processing of passport applications is currently taking from 6 to 8 weeks. Occasionally, the forms are processed faster but it can sometimes take longer, especially during peak travel periods or when additional documents must be requested.
Basically, there are three steps to obtaining a passport by routine processing:
Choose the service you require from the menu to the left for a complete list of instructions, tips and a link to download the proper application form.
The steps for requesting faster service are the same as those for routine processing: complete application, gather supporting documents, sumbit form. The differences are that you need to include evidence of your travel plans and add $60 to your payment for the expedited service fee.
Be aware that the address to which the application and supporting documents are sent to be expedited is different from the address for standard processing. The address is located on the form.
Additional steps to ensure your passport is expedited quickly:
The first step if you plan to submit the application yourself is to schedule an appointment through the Department of State's automated scheduling service.
The faster you need to get your passport, the farther you live from a regional agency and the less time you have to personally commit to the application process, the more important it is to get an experienced expediter to apply on your behalf. Of the nearly 50 courier services in our directory, our highest recommend goes to RushMyPassport.com.
You can also visit our library of articles about passport expediting.