Navigating U.S. Passport Processing Times: Your Guide to Getting Your Passport

Last updated 3 months ago. Our resources are updated regularly but please keep in mind that links, programs, policies, and contact information do change.

Applying for a U.S. passport involves understanding a number of timelines and procedures. Whether you’re planning well in advance or facing an urgent travel need, knowing the current processing estimates, how to expedite your application, and what factors can cause delays can make the difference for a smooth departure.

Current Passport Processing Time Estimates

The U.S. Department of State provides estimates for how long it takes to process passport applications. These times reflect only the period your application is actively being reviewed at a passport agency or center; they do not include mailing times.

Standard Processing Times (As of March 10, 2025)

The State Department updates processing times periodically based on demand. As of the latest update, the standard estimates are:

Source: U.S. Department of State – Processing Times

The Critical Role of Mailing Times

It’s crucial to factor in mailing times when calculating how long it will actually take to get your passport from the day you apply to the day you receive it. The State Department advises that it can take up to 2 weeks for your application materials to arrive at a processing facility after you mail them or submit them at an acceptance facility. Similarly, it can take up to another 2 weeks for you to receive your completed passport book after it is printed and mailed.

Therefore, the total time you should budget for receiving your passport is the official processing time plus potentially up to four weeks for mailing (two weeks each way). This combined duration is the most realistic estimate to use when planning international travel.

Keep in mind that you might receive your new passport and your returned supporting documents (like birth certificates or old passports) in separate mailings, sometimes weeks apart. Passport cards are always sent via First Class Mail, not expedited delivery services.

Do Timelines Differ by Application Type?

The official processing time estimates (Routine and Expedited) provided by the State Department generally apply across the board, regardless of whether you are applying for:

• A first-time adult passport (using Form DS-11)
• A passport for a child under 16 (using Form DS-11)
• An adult passport renewal (using Form DS-82)
• A replacement for a lost, stolen, or damaged passport (using Form DS-11 and potentially DS-64)
• Corrections or changes to an existing passport (using Form DS-5504)

While the processing window itself (e.g., 4-6 weeks for routine) doesn’t officially vary by form type, the overall time and requirements certainly do. For instance, first-time applications (DS-11) require an in-person appearance at an acceptance facility, which adds a step compared to mail-in renewals (DS-82). Applications requiring additional documentation or facing corrections will naturally take longer if issues arise. Urgent travel needs have entirely separate procedures involving appointments at passport agencies.

Speeding Things Up: Expedited Service

If the routine processing time is too long for your travel plans, you can request expedited service for an additional fee.

The Cost and Timeframe

Expedited service aims to process your application within 2 to 3 weeks, not including mailing times. The fee for this faster processing is $60 per application, paid in addition to the regular application fees. This fee applies whether you are getting a new passport, renewing, or applying for a child.

How to Request Expedited Service

When Applying:

• If you are applying for the first time (or for a child) using Form DS-11 at an acceptance facility, indicate you want expedited service and include the $60 fee with your payment to the U.S. Department of State.
• If you are renewing by mail using Form DS-82, include the $60 fee in your check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State and clearly write “EXPEDITE” on the outside of the envelope.

After Applying:

• If you initially applied for routine service but now need your passport sooner, you can request to upgrade to expedited service by calling the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) at 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793).
• You will need to pay the $60 expedite fee, likely via credit card over the phone.

Faster Return Shipping: 1-2 Day Delivery

In addition to expediting the processing, you can also pay for faster return shipping of your completed passport book. For an extra $21.36, the State Department will send your passport book using a 1-2 day delivery service after it’s printed.

How to Request:

• Include this $21.36 fee with your main application payment (check or money order to the U.S. Department of State) when you first apply.
• You can also add this service after applying by calling the NPIC.

Important Notes:

• This 1-2 day delivery service is only available for passport books, not passport cards.
• Passport cards are always mailed via USPS First Class Mail.
• Do not submit your own pre-paid return envelope; the fee must be paid directly to the Department of State.
• Your supporting documents may arrive separately via First Class Mail, even if you pay for 1-2 day delivery for the passport book.

You can also pay your shipping provider (like USPS) for Priority Mail Express to get your application to the processing center faster, though the cost varies.

Urgent Travel Needs: Getting a Passport Fast

For imminent international travel, standard expedited service might not be fast enough. The State Department offers specific procedures for urgent situations, but these require securing an appointment at a regional Passport Agency or Center. These agencies are different from the acceptance facilities (like post offices or libraries) where you might submit a routine application. Appointments are limited and cannot be guaranteed. There is no fee to make an appointment, but the standard application and expedite fees still apply. Appointments are non-transferable.

Urgent Travel Service (Travel within 14 Calendar Days)

If you have international travel scheduled within 14 calendar days (or within 28 calendar days if you also need to obtain a foreign visa), you may be eligible for an Urgent Travel Service appointment.

If You Have NOT Applied Yet:

• You must try to make an appointment online through the Online Passport Appointment System.
• You’ll need to provide travel details, email, and phone number to schedule and confirm.

If You Have Already Applied:

• You must call the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) at 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793) during their operating hours (Mon-Fri 8 AM – 10 PM ET, Sat-Sun 10 AM – 3 PM ET, closed federal holidays).
• Explain your situation and travel dates. They will determine if an appointment is possible.

Life-or-Death Emergency Service (Travel within 14 Days for Emergency)

This service is reserved for situations where you need to travel internationally within 14 calendar days due to an immediate family member outside the U.S. who has died, is dying (e.g., in hospice care), or has suffered a life-threatening illness or injury.

Eligibility:

• “Immediate family member” is strictly defined as a parent, legal guardian, child, spouse, sibling, or grandparent.
• Aunts, uncles, cousins, or travel for your own medical treatment abroad do not qualify.

Required Documentation:

• You MUST provide proof of the emergency (e.g., death certificate, statement from mortuary, signed letter from hospital on letterhead detailing the condition).
• If documents are not in English, a professional translation is required.
• You also need proof of the impending international travel (e.g., airline ticket, itinerary) and all standard passport application materials (completed form, photo, ID, fees, including the $60 expedite fee).

Appointment Procedure:

• First, try online: If you haven’t applied yet, attempt to schedule via the online appointment system.
• If online fails or you’ve already applied:
  • During Business Hours (Mon-Fri, 8 AM – 8 PM ET): Call NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793).
  • Outside Business Hours (Evenings, Weekends, Holidays): Call the emergency line at 202-647-4000. Do not use this number during regular business hours or for non-emergency urgent travel.

Securing an urgent or emergency appointment requires demonstrating genuine need and having all necessary documentation ready. Even with a qualifying situation, appointment availability is not guaranteed.

Checking Your Application Status

Once you’ve applied, you can monitor the progress of your application.

Online Status Check

The primary way to check your status is through the Online Passport Status System.

To use the online tool, you will need:

• Your Last Name (including suffixes like Jr., III; try variations if your name has hyphens or apostrophes).
• Your Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY).
• The Last Four Digits of your Social Security Number.

If you provided an email address on your application, you should also receive email updates on your status changes.

Understanding Status Updates and Potential Issues

“Not Available”:

• This status might appear for up to 2 weeks after you apply while your application is in transit and being entered into the system.
• It could also mean there’s a technical issue (try again later) or a problem with how you entered your name.
• If the status remains “Not Available” long after your check is cashed or more than two weeks have passed, it might indicate a problem with your application found during intake.

“In Process”:

• Your application is at a passport agency or center and is under review.
• The duration depends on the service level (Routine/Expedited).
• It can take up to 2 weeks from applying for the status to change to “In Process”.
• If you applied using Form DS-5504 (for corrections/changes), this can also take up to 2 weeks.

“Approved”:

• Your application has been approved, and your passport is being prepared for printing.
• Sometimes, the status might revert to “In Process” after being “Approved” if a problem is discovered during final review; the agency is fixing the issue before printing.

“Mailed”:

• Your passport has been printed and sent out.
• If you don’t receive it within 2 weeks of this status update, call NPIC.
• You may need to complete a DS-86 form (“Statement You Did Not Receive Your U.S. Passport”) within 120 days of issuance.

Contacting by Phone

You can call the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) at 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793) for certain issues. Call center hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM ET, and Saturday-Sunday 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM ET (closed federal holidays).

Call NPIC if:

• You applied and need your passport sooner (to request expedited service or 1-2 day delivery).
• Your mailing address changed while your application is still pending.
• Your passport status shows “Mailed” but you haven’t received it after 2 weeks.
• You haven’t received your supporting documents back more than 4 weeks after receiving your passport (you have 90 days from passport mailing date to report lost documents for potential reimbursement).

For general status updates, the online system is the preferred method.

Why Was My Application Delayed? Common Pitfalls

Several issues can cause your passport application to be delayed or put on hold. Avoiding these common mistakes is key to smooth processing.

Application Form and Photo Errors

Bad Photos:

• This is the number one reason applications are put on hold.
• Photos must meet strict requirements for size (2×2 inches), background (plain white/off-white), pose (neutral expression, facing forward, eyes open, mouth closed), quality (clear, properly lit, no shadows), and attire (no glasses unless medically necessary with doctor’s note, no hats/head coverings unless for documented religious/medical reasons with face fully visible, no uniforms).
• Using the State Department’s photo tool can help crop a digital image correctly for printing, but it doesn’t check overall quality.
• Review examples carefully at the passport photo requirements page.

Incorrect Fees:

• Submitting the wrong payment amount will cause delays.
• Double-check fees using the official fee calculator, especially if adding optional services like expedited processing ($60) or 1-2 day delivery ($21.36).
• Remember first-time applicants (DS-11) pay two fees: application fee and execution fee.

Missing Signature or Date:

• Forgetting to sign or date the application form is a frequent error.
• Remember Form DS-11 is signed at the acceptance facility, while renewal Form DS-82 and correction Form DS-5504 must be signed before mailing.

Form Issues:

• Using the wrong form for your situation, submitting forms printed double-sided (always use single-sided paper), missing pages, or printing in landscape instead of portrait format can all lead to processing halts.

Missing Documentation

Failing to provide required documents is another major cause of delays. Ensure you submit:

Proof of U.S. Citizenship:

• Original or certified copy (not photocopies unless specifically requested alongside original) of an acceptable document like a U.S. birth certificate meeting all specific criteria (issued by city/county/state, lists parents, filed within one year, registrar signature, seal), a previous undamaged full-validity U.S. passport, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship.

Proof of Identity:

• A valid government-issued photo ID (like a driver’s license) and sometimes a clear photocopy (front and back).

Parental Consent (for Minors):

• For children under 16, proof of parental relationship and consent is required.
• If one parent/guardian cannot appear, a properly completed and notarized Form DS-3053 (Statement of Consent) along with a copy of their ID is usually needed.
• In specific situations, Form DS-5525 (Statement of Exigent/Special Family Circumstances) or proof of sole legal custody might be required.

Previous Passport:

• For renewals (Form DS-82), you must submit your most recent passport book and/or card.
• If applying to replace a lost or stolen passport (Form DS-11), you must also submit Form DS-64 (Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen Passport).

Name Change Documentation:

• If your name has changed legally since your last document was issued, provide an original or certified copy of the supporting document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order).

Responding to State Department Requests

If the State Department finds an issue with your application, they will contact you via letter or email requesting additional information or documentation. It is absolutely critical to respond as soon as possible. Your application is effectively placed on hold from the moment the issue is identified until your response is received and processed.

This pause means the processing clock stops ticking. The total delay accumulates from the time it takes the State Department to send the request, for you to receive it, prepare and send your response, for your response to arrive, and for the agency to reintegrate the information and resume processing. This cumulative delay can add significant time, far beyond the initial processing estimate.

Follow the instructions in the letter or email precisely, and submit the requested items by the deadline (often 90 days). Visit the “Respond to a Letter or Email” page for guidance.

Why Do Wait Times Fluctuate? Factors Behind the Scenes

Passport processing times aren’t static; they can change significantly throughout the year. Understanding the reasons behind these fluctuations can help you plan better.

The Impact of Seasons and Travel Demand

The primary driver of changing wait times is fluctuating demand. Historically, demand surges significantly from late winter through the summer months as people prepare for spring break and summer vacations. Consequently, processing times tend to be longer during this peak season. Conversely, the period from October through December is generally considered the slower season, and applying during these months might result in quicker processing.

Major events can also dramatically impact demand. For example, the easing of widespread COVID-19 travel restrictions led to an unprecedented surge in passport applications in 2023. This “pent-up demand” overwhelmed the system’s capacity, resulting in significant backlogs and processing times extending to 10-13 weeks for routine service at the peak.

Application Volume and Systemic Factors

Beyond seasonal trends, several operational factors influence the State Department’s ability to process applications efficiently:

Application Volume:

• The sheer number of applications received is a major factor.
• In Fiscal Year 2023, the State Department handled a record 21.6 million applications, nearly 2 million more than anticipated, contributing heavily to the backlog.

Staffing Levels:

• Adequate staffing is crucial.
• Past hiring freezes (like the one in FY2017-2018) and subsequent high rates of staff attrition created shortages that hampered processing capacity, even with extensive mandatory overtime (over 250,000 hours in FY2023).
• The State Department has been working on hiring initiatives and leveraging direct hire authority to address these shortages.

Technology:

• Technological challenges, including database outages or issues with new systems like the initial pilot of the Online Passport Renewal (OPR) system, can slow down operations.
• Conversely, improvements like the updated online status tracker and the full OPR rollout aim to enhance efficiency.

Modernization Efforts:

• The State Department is implementing a long-term “Transformation Roadmap” involving dozens of projects, such as improving IT systems and opening six new passport agencies (in Salt Lake City, Kansas City, Orlando, Charlotte, San Antonio, and Cincinnati) to increase capacity and resilience against future backlogs.
• However, the success of these initiatives depends on adequate funding and staffing resources.

These large-scale operational realities mean that the processing time estimate provided when you apply is subject to change based on factors beyond your individual application. Applying well in advance of your planned travel, especially during anticipated peak seasons, remains the best strategy to avoid potential disruptions caused by system-wide pressures.

Your Passport Toolkit: Essential Links and Resources

Having the right information and tools at your fingertips can streamline the passport application process.

Passport Application Forms

Choosing and correctly completing the right form is the first step. The State Department recommends using their Form Filler tool on a desktop or laptop computer to fill out forms electronically before printing. If you encounter technical issues, PDF versions are available for download to complete by hand. Crucially, always print forms single-sided on standard 8.5 x 11 inch letter paper; double-sided forms are not accepted.

DS-11: Application for U.S. Passport

• Use If: Applying for the first time; applying for a child under 16; previous passport was issued under age 16; previous passport was lost, stolen, or damaged; previous passport was issued more than 15 years ago.
• Signature: Do NOT sign until instructed by an acceptance agent.
• Where to Apply: Must apply in person at a Passport Acceptance Facility.
• Link: Find forms and details at the passport forms page.

DS-82: U.S. Passport Renewal Application

• Use If: You meet the eligibility requirements for renewal by mail or online (e.g., current passport is undamaged, issued within the last 15 years when you were 16 or older).
• Signature: Sign and date the form after printing.
• Where to Apply: Submit by mail or potentially online (check eligibility).
• Link: Find forms and details at the passport forms page.

DS-5504: Application for U.S. Passport – Corrections, Name Change, Limited Passport

• Use If: Need to correct a printing error in your passport; need to change your name within one year of passport issuance; need to replace a passport that was limited in validity.
• Signature: Sign and date the form after printing.
• Where to Apply: Typically submitted by mail.
• Link: Find forms and details at the passport forms page.

DS-64: Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen U.S. Passport

• Use If: Your valid passport has been lost or stolen.
• How to Submit: Must be submitted along with Form DS-11 when applying in person for a replacement passport.
• Link: Find forms and details at the passport forms page.

DS-3053 / DS-5525:

• Used for documenting parental consent or special family circumstances when applying for a minor’s passport if both parents/guardians cannot be present.
• Link: Find at the passport forms page.

Calculating Passport Fees

Passport fees depend on several factors, including age, application type, and whether you want a passport book, card, or both. Optional services add extra costs.

Key Fees (Subject to Change – Check Official Site):

• First-Time Adult Book (DS-11): $130 Application Fee + $35 Execution Fee
• Adult Renewal Book (DS-82): $130 Application Fee
• Minor Book (Under 16, DS-11): $100 Application Fee + $35 Execution Fee
• Passport Card fees are lower.
• Expedited Service: Add $60 per application.
• 1-2 Day Delivery (Book Only): Add $21.36 per application.

Payment:

• When applying in person (DS-11), the Application Fee is paid to the “U.S. Department of State,” and the separate Execution Fee ($35) is paid directly to the acceptance facility.
• For mail-in renewals (DS-82), pay the total fee (including any optional services) via check or money order to the “U.S. Department of State”.

Fee Calculator:

• To avoid errors, use the official Passport Fee Calculator.
• A fee chart PDF is also available.
• Submitting incorrect fees is a common cause of delay.

Getting Your Photo Right

Passport photos must meet very specific requirements. Failure to do so is the leading reason for application delays.

Essential Requirements:

• Size: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm).
• Head Size: Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (25-35 mm) from chin to top of head.
• Color Photo: Must be in color, taken within the last 6 months.
• Background: Plain white or off-white, no patterns, textures, or shadows.
• Expression & Pose: Neutral expression (slight smile okay if mouth closed), both eyes open, face camera directly.
• Eyeglasses: NOT ALLOWED (unless medically required with a doctor’s signed statement).
• Hats/Head Coverings: Not allowed unless worn daily for religious or medical reasons (requires signed statement), and must not obscure face or cast shadows.
• Attire: Normal daily clothing; no uniforms, camouflage, headphones.
• Quality: High resolution, clear, not blurry/grainy/pixelated, printed on photo quality paper (matte or glossy), no digital alterations, no damage (holes, creases).

Where to Get Photos:

• Acceptance facilities, photo service companies, or take it yourself (following all rules strictly).

Resources:

• Review detailed guidelines and examples at the official Passport Photos page.
• Use the photo tool for cropping printed photos if needed.

Our articles make government information more accessible. Please consult a qualified professional for financial, legal, or health advice specific to your circumstances.