Announcements : Apply Early for your Passport
Announcement: Apply Early for your Passport
It is recommended to apply for your passport 6 months prior to travel.
Need a new passport or a passport renewal? Apply as early as possible to secure your passport.
From the State Department's passport news website:
Current Processing Times: Processing times have changed several times in the last few months. As of March 24, we are processing routine applications in 10-13 weeks, and expedited applications in 7-9 weeks. Processing times begin when we receive your application at a passport agency or center, and do not include mailing times. It may take up to 2 weeks for us to receive your application after you mail it to us, and up to 2 weeks for you to receive your completed passport after we mail it to you.
Processing times fluctuate throughout the year depending on demand and we anticipate that they will rise, especially as we approach the busier travel season.
High Demand: As more Americans are traveling internationally again, we are directing resources to meet the unprecedented demand seen so far in 2023. We are on track to set the record for the highest demand year ever, far surpassing volumes seen during previous surges in demand in 2007 and 2017. During some weeks this winter, the Department received more than 500,000 applications, the highest number ever for this time of year, exceeding our official projections.