The U.S. State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs has announced a reduction in passport processing times, now ranging from four to six weeks, down from the previous six to eight weeks. This new timeline applies to passport applications submitted both online and by mail.

According to the bureau, processing times have consistently been under the earlier six-to-eight-week target for several months. The updated four-to-six-week timeframe starts once the application is received by the State Department, though it does not include mailing time.