THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
On March 24, the State Department updated its processing times for US passport applications. Routine processing will now take 10 to 13 weeks and expedited processing will take 7-9 weeks. Processing time begins the day applications are received and do not include mailing time.
Processing times are cyclical and rise and fall based on seasonal demand, the Department said. However, they added, the volume of applications they received during certain periods this year has exceeded last year’s already record-setting volume by more than 30 percent.
As a US citizen you are urged to check your passport expiration date and renew now if you are planning international travel this year. You are also encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive important messages about your destinations directly, alerts and updates to Travel Advisories, and to enable the State Deaprtment to assist you in an emergency.
The fees for renewing an adult passport are: Passport Book $130; Passport Card $30; Passport Book & Card $160. There is an extra Execution (Acceptance) Fee of $35 if applying for the first time.
To apply for or renew a passport go to travel.state.gov/passport.
To enroll with STEP visit step.state.gov
