Routine service for the processing of passport operations by the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Department of State of the United States has been significantly impacted recently due to the pent-up demand for travel — which was arguably caused by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus pandemic — but can you guess how many months to get a passport in your possession?
Wait: How Many Months to Get a Passport?
According to this latest official update from the government agency, the current processing times are as follows:
- Routine — Ten weeks to 13 weeks
- Expedited — seven weeks to nine weeks
- Expedited at agency — Must have international travel within 14 calendar days
Keep in mind that the processing times only include the time that your application is at one of the passport agencies or centers. As postal mailing times are not included in processing times, consider that the total time to get your new passport in your possession includes both processing time and mailing time.
Postal mailing times may take up to four weeks, with up to:
- Two weeks for applications to arrive by mail at a passport agency or center
- Two weeks for you to receive a completed passport in the mail after it is printed.
Consider the total time needed to receive your passport when you are booking travel, which could be up to slightly greater than four months.
You may pay for faster delivery and return shipping by choosing one or both of the following shipment options:
- Delivery to a passport agency or center: Purchase Priority Mail Express from the United States Postal Service for faster shipping of your application. The price for this service varies depending on the area of the country.
- Return to you: Pay $19.53 for 1-2 day delivery. This means you will receive your passport 1-2 days after it is sent. Include the fee with your passport fee in your check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State for fastest return shipping. Do not submit a return envelope to us with postage pre-paid.
You may receive your passport and the supporting documents submitted with your application in separate mailings. If you are renewing a passport card, it will be sent to you via First Class Mail. 1-2 day delivery services are not used if you only applied for a passport card.
Final Boarding Call
During the 2019 Novel Coronavirus pandemic two years ago, the wait time for a passport was as much as 18 weeks.
You could possibly receive your passport sooner than 17 weeks — but do not count on it, as you never know what impediments may prevent you from getting your passport that soon instead of the full 17 weeks.
If you plan on traveling this year and you need a new passport or a renewal of your current passport, do not wait: apply for one now.
All photographs ©2016 and ©2019 by Brian Cohen.
