If you’re heading out of the country this summer and still need to apply for, or renew, your passport you’re running out of time.
The process has taken longer ever since the government shut down for weeks in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of May 2022, the U.S. State Department said it will take 5-7 weeks from the time an application is received to process and return it to you. And that’s if you pay the additional $60 for expedited service! Normal processing currently takes 2-3 months.
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The State Department does offer an emergency option, but it ONLY applies in the event of an immediate family member’s death, sudden illness or injury, of if you need to travel overseas within 3 business days. Even then you may not qualify.
There is also an option for urgent travel that could process a passport in 14 days, if you can get to a passport agency’s office, but that isn’t guaranteed, either.
If this is your first passport, you will need to print and complete an application form.
Follow the directions on the form and provide evidence of U.S. Citizenship, present your ID, and provide a passport-size photo of yourself, and make an appointment to drop it all off in-person at a post office.
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Once those steps are complete, you can track your application status.
There are special steps involved for children under the age of 16 who are applying for a passport.
If you need to renew a passport, you may be eligible to do so by mail. You must answer yes to all of the following questions:
- You have your passport in your possession to submit with your application
- It’s undamaged other than normal wear and tear
- Was issued when you were age 16 or older
- Was issued within the last 15 years
- Was issued in your current name or you can document your name change
If you answered no to any of the above statements, you must apply in person.
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