Before you plan your dream international vacation, you will need a valid passport. How long does it take to get a passport? Right now, the process can take up to 11 weeks, so you’ll want to start planning far in advance. If you need to renew your passport, you must do so within 6 months of the expiration date.
The State Department recommends applying four to six months before your planned trip. If your passport is undamaged, was issued in the last 15 years (when you were 16 or older), and shows your current name (or you have documentation of your name change), you can renew your passport by mail. If you don’t meet those conditions and need a new passport, you’ll have to apply in person. You can find the full details about necessary documentation, including the passport photo requirements on your State Department website.
You’ll need to fill out the forms, submit a photo, provide evidence of U.S. citizenship, present and provide a copy of your ID, and pay the application and execution fees in person at a passport acceptance facility. Then, you can track your application status online. You will want to follow the instructions carefully and fill out every required piece of information to prevent any delays.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, typical processing times ranged from four to eight weeks. Routine processing can currently take up to eleven weeks from the day the application is received, and expedited processing may take up to seven weeks. Travelers can get their passports expedited at a passport agency or center within three days, but these appointments are only offered in specific situations. If your travel date is in five to seven weeks, you can pay $60 (in addition to the standard application fee) and purchase USPS Priority Mail Express for faster turnaround and shipping.
