The U.S. State Department has announced a significant improvement in passport processing times, now back to pre-pandemic levels. This development comes as a relief for travelers, with processing times for new passports and renewals now estimated at six to eight weeks for routine service. For expedited service, which costs an additional $60, wait times are reduced to an estimated two to three weeks.
This update marks the end of a tumultuous four-year period that saw passport processing times spike due to the pandemic. Initially, the outbreak led to monthslong delays as workers stayed home. As travel began to rebound, many Americans found their passports had expired, leading to an influx of applications and further delays.
The State Department processed a record 22 million passports and passport books in the 2022 fiscal year and surpassed that in fiscal year 2023 with 24 million, reflecting unprecedented demand for international travel. Despite this surge, the department has managed to bring processing times back down to the pre-pandemic norm.
The growing interest in international travel is evident, with the number of active U.S. passports doubling since 2007. Today, 48% of Americans have a passport, compared to just 5% in 1990.
Travelers are advised to renew their passports at least six months before expiration. However, with more normalized wait times, some may opt for routine service instead of paying extra for expedited processing.
