To plan your dream international vacation, all you need is a valid passport! One of your first questions could be, “What is the estimated time frame for obtaining a passport?” Currently, the process takes up to 13 weeks, with an additional four weeks for mailing time. So, for starters, it’s best to plan ahead and start the process early to ensure a smooth experience. Make sure to check the U.S. State Department website frequently for the latest updates on the exact time. In the meantime, we’ve simplified the new passport application process and provided clear explanations of State Department policies to ensure you can obtain your travel documents in time for the next trip.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Passport
So, how does one go about applying for a passport? Do you need to go to a passport office, or is there a way to do it online? What should be included in a passport application? When and how do you need to renew your passport? When you renew your passport, can you keep the old one as well? Let’s go over this step by step.
However, the first action is the same for almost everyone. To initiate the passport application process, you must first locate a passport acceptance facility (typically a post office, public library, or local government office that submits applications on behalf of the State Department). You’ll need a long list of paperwork, all filled out and ready to go, for the procedure to go off without a hitch.
The requirements for submitting a first-time passport application are as follows, as outlined by the State Department:
- A fully finished DS-11 form.
- A clean, legible black-and-white photocopy of your birth certificate (or one of the other documents listed above) on 8.5 by 11 inches of paper is required as proof of U.S. citizenship.
- A photocopy of the front and back (also in black and white, on 8.5 by 11-inch paper) of your valid forms of identification, such as a driver’s license or one of the other documents listed above.
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- You don’t have to take your own passport photo, but you will need one that is two inches by two inches in size. Many drugstores and post offices offer passport photo services for a small fee. You can’t wear a hat or glasses in your passport photo, among other restrictions; the State Department has more information.
- To be sure, use the official passport fee calculator, but generally speaking, first-time adult applicants can expect to pay $135.
When can you expect to receive your passport? It is recommended to apply for a passport well in advance of when you need it, as the State Department estimates a passport takes four to six weeks to process from the time you turn in your application (including the time it takes to mail it back to you).
Renewal Process
The government recommends renewing your passport nine months before it expires, so if the idea of taking an international flight with an expired passport makes you nervous, give yourself plenty of time to get it renewed. You don’t have to visit an official facility like you did when you first applied for a passport. Instead, you can get your passport renewed by sending in the necessary paperwork in the mail. If you are over the age of 16 and your passport was issued within the last 15 years, you can use it as long as it is in good condition and your name hasn’t changed since it was last updated. If you meet all of the requirements, then you can renew your passport by sending in the following materials:
- The completed DS-82 form.
- Your expired passport.
- A photograph suitable for use in a passport.
- A $110 annual fee.
N.B: Include legal documentation of your new name, such as a marriage license, divorce decree, or court order, if your name has changed since your last passport was issued.
In what time frame can a passport be renewed?
After you have submitted the above, your new passport will arrive in the mail within four to six weeks, the same amount of time as a first-time passport.
Meanwhile, affix a sticky note to the cover of your passport stating that you would definitely like to have your old copy sent back; travelers who have accumulated a large number of passport stamps and would like to keep their old passport as a memento should know that old passports do get returned (usually with a hole punched in the cover).
If you don’t have your expired passport on hand, you’ll need to fill out the DS-11 form and visit a passport acceptance facility in person, just as if you were applying for a passport for the first time.
Believe you can safely put off renewing your passport?
According to experts, “you can’t necessarily travel right up to your passport expiration date,” and “many countries won’t let you enter if your passport’s expiration date is within three or even six months of your departure.”
Japan, for instance, requires your passport to be valid for the duration of your visit. It’s your responsibility to keep up with expiration dates; it’s possible that an airline will let you book, check-in, and even fly to your destination with a passport that has expired.
It’s also important to remember that you might need a visa to enter your destination country, even if your passport is in good standing. According to experts, “visas are a different beast,” but fortunately, they are still valid even if they’re in an expired passport. This means that if you have an expired passport with a current visa, it is beneficial to receive your old passport back along with your renewed passport.
In conclusion, plan ahead to renew your passport, double-check the passport’s expiration date even if you think you’re good to go and study up on the visa and passport regulations of your destination country.
Rapid Processing
Take a deep breath and relax if you discover weeks (or even days) before your trip that your passport is expired or will expire soon. Obtaining a passport in a hurry is possible, though it will cost more and take more time than normal.
When can you expect to receive your expedited passport? The answer depends on how urgent your situation really is. What to do in a few different situations is outlined below.
Passport renewals can be expedited in person at a passport acceptance facility (remember, these are the same post offices, libraries, and other official passport facilities that first-time passport applicants must visit) for those leaving in less than four to six weeks. A passport renewal request sent by mail within this time frame must include all required documentation as well as the expedited processing fee, and the word “EXPEDITE” must be clearly written on the envelope’s outside.
Expedited passport renewals cost an additional $60 on top of the standard fee. For an additional fee of $15.89, you can have your passport overnighted after your expedited passport renewal has been processed. This does not mean that you will receive a response the day after sending it; rather, it indicates that your package will be returned via overnight shipping following the standard expedited processing time.
Read Also: How Long Does It Take To Renew a Passport (Detailed Guide)
Those with less than two to three weeks until departure should not expect to be able to expedite their documents by mail or in person. Passport services step in at this point. You can get your passport in as little as 24 hours from one of these regional offices (typically located in major cities; see the full list here). However, this option is not for those simply seeking a speedy passport renewal process; rather, it is for those who will be boarding an international flight within the next two weeks.
In addition to paying the $60 expediting fee, you’ll need to schedule an appointment online or over the phone (1-877-487-2778 or 1-888-874-7793).
Contacting the State Department is an option if you have a life-or-death emergency that requires travel within 72 hours, but you will still need to gather the same documentation and paperwork as usual, plus proof of the emergency.
Change of Name on Passport
There are a few options available for changing your name on a passport if you’ve recently gotten married, divorced, or simply changed your name. The simplest way is to obtain a certified copy of your marriage license or divorce decree (a photocopy or notarized copy will not be accepted).
Name changes on passports issued within the past year are free of charge. Send in your DS-5504 form, your old passport, a certified copy of your name change document, and a passport-sized color photo (meeting all of the above criteria).
If it’s been longer than a year, you’ll need to renew your registration and submit proof of your name change. However, if you do not meet the renewal requirements (e.g., you do not have your old passport, it is severely damaged beyond the scope of typical travel use, or it was issued when you were younger than 16 or more than 15 years ago), you will need to submit an application for a new passport in addition to the name change paperwork.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Passport Back
While traveling internationally, if your passport is lost or stolen, you’re not without options. Make sure you know the location of the nearest embassy or consulate to your hotel in the event that you lose your passport while on your trip.
You can get a replacement passport at the consulate much more quickly if you have a photocopy of your passport on hand, as many experienced travelers do. The most obvious precaution you can take to protect your passport is to carry it in a secure location at all times.
For example, you can designate a specific location, such as a compartment in your backpack, as your passport’s “permanent home,” so you never lose track of it. While traveling, it is recommended that you leave your passport at the hotel and use a photocopy instead.
Passport Cards
Small enough to fit in a wallet, passport cards are required for travelers entering the United States from countries that share a land or maritime border with it. Passport cards cannot be used for air travel across international borders like regular passports can. Passport cards have the advantages of being more portable and cost less ($30 to $55 for first-time applicants and renewals, respectively) than regular passports, but most travel experts advise against it.
A passport card takes just as long to process as a traditional passport, so getting one isn’t any faster. If you’re willing to spend the extra money, you can submit an application for both a passport and a passport card at the same time.
Places to Get a Passport
Your passport application processing time may vary depending on where you submit it.
Standard processing time for applications submitted by mail or through a passport office is up to 13 weeks, while expedited service can reduce that time to as little as 9 weeks. Again, the variables we covered earlier have an impact on total processing times.
U.S. citizens can expedite the passport application process by visiting a regional passport agency.
A confirmed departure date within the next two weeks is necessary. You need to prove your need for a travel visa within four weeks.
Either the applicant or an authorized representative can submit the application on their behalf to the regional processing center.
In either case, passports can be obtained the day after the necessary paperwork is submitted. It is possible to get a passport in a matter of hours if you need one urgently.
If you need a passport quickly but are unable to travel to a regional processing center, the expediter we recommend can assist you in this matter.
Types of Passport Services
A passport renewal should take roughly the same amount of time as applying for a brand-new passport. If the only criterion is how long it takes to process, then yes.
Since a passport renewal application can be mailed in, the total processing time is often shorter than that of a brand-new passport application. Similarly, if you need to make a minor change to your passport, like changing your name or correcting an error, you can do so by mailing your request instead of going in person to the passport office.
However, one must appear in person when applying for a new passport. The total processing time could increase by a few days to a few weeks because of this. When you can get an appointment at the nearest application acceptance center is of the utmost importance.
What Can I Do to Speed Up the Process of Getting My Passport?
There are several options for obtaining a passport even more quickly than the standard expedited processing time of seven to nine weeks (plus mailing time).
If you have international travel plans within the next 14 days, you can get your passport expedited at a passport agency or center by using the Urgent Travel Service. In this case, you need to schedule an appointment with a passport acceptance facility by calling 1-877-487-2778.
In addition, there is the Critical Care Emergency Service. If a member of your immediate family has died, is dying, or has a life-threatening illness or injury and they are currently located outside of the United States, you can call the same number to schedule an emergency appointment to travel abroad within three business days.
U.S. passport procedures and turnaround times for urgent and emergency cases are always up to date. Access the State Department’s “Get My Passport Fast” page.
These urgent appointments should be used as a last resort, and you should have your new passport in hand before scheduling any international travel.
Furthermore, the State Department’s website contains all the necessary contact information, including passport center locations, passport office hours, and a list of acceptable forms of identification.
The State Department says that applying for a passport in person at a passport agency is the quickest way to get your passport, but there are courier services that offer expedited passport services for a (sometimes hefty) fee.
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