Passports are invalid for travel if they have expired, suffered damage or alteration, run out of pages, been reported lost or stolen, or have limited validity. In any of these cases, your only way in or out of the U.S. is through a new passport. But how long does it take to get a passport?
How Long Does It Take To Get U.S. Passport?
Many people apply for passports weeks or months before they need to leave the U.S. While this might seem like sufficient time, your departure date could pass before you get a new passport. So, how long does it take to get a new passport? The U.S. passport processing time ranges from ten to thirteen weeks. However, this is the passport wait time on paper. In reality, the following factors affect the passport processing time:
- The state: Where you apply for a passport affects your U.S. passport processing time. It is common for people to hand in their submissions at the same time in different states, only for one to get their passport before the other. As such, you must review the waiting averages in your state to get an idea of when you will get your passport.
- The period: Many people submit their passport applications towards the holidays. As a result, passport offices often experience a backlog, which results in added waiting times. So, where a passport would have been ready in ten weeks, you could wait up to fifteen weeks.
- The passport type: The U.S. passport wait time depends on the type of passport application, as each category has differing requirements. Take new passports as an example. Applicants must present their documents to a local acceptance agent before paying the application fees and submitting their documents. These processes result in added time, which would not apply to passport renewal via mail. Additionally, regular passports have higher waiting times than emergency passports.
- If you expedite the application: State passport offices often allow applicants to reduce the current U.S. passport processing time by paying for expedited services. These often reduce the waiting time by weeks. However, the timelines are still subject to backlogs owing to seasonal traffic.
- If your paperwork meets the requirements: All passport applicants must submit proof of U.S. citizenship, a photo ID, two passport photos, and complete passport application forms. You can face delays if:
- You fill out the form incorrectly,
- Your passport pictures do not meet the U.S. passport photo guidelines,
- You need to submit additional documentation, e.g., you have changed your name, and must present legal proof of the change.
Such additional requirements affect your total passport processing time. For example, people whose passport photos get rejected must submit compliant photos within a 90-day window. Otherwise, they must restart their applications, resulting in additional passport processing time.
So, how long does it take to get U.S. passport? The standard passport time frame ranges from ten to thirteen weeks. But this is contingent on the factors above.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Passport Expedited?
We have mentioned that state passport offices allow applicants to shorten their passport processing time using expedited services. But how long does it take to get a passport expedited? There is no clear timeline, as the time depends on the factors discussed earlier – backlogs, passport types, the need for changes, and the state. So, while you can shorten your timeline, it can range from several weeks to months.
Travel Visa Pro offers an alternative in the form of flexible expedited passport processing services with timelines from days to weeks. You can use our website to choose how long you want to wait, and we will process your order within that timeline. To ensure the passport processing time meets your preferences, we offer the services below:
- Consultation services to help you understand the best passport type for your travel needs,
- Concierge services to take the bulk of work off your hands,
- Document review services to ensure you have filled out the correct forms with the right information,
- Passport photo services that will have your pictures ticking all of the U.S. passport photo boxes, and
- Expediting services to get your passport ready in days to weeks – your choice.
We offer expedited passport services nationwide and have a convenient location to send or drop off your documents.
You may wonder, How fast can I get a passport with TVP?” Our passport processing time follows your lead, allowing you to choose what best suits your travel plans. Proceed as follows:
- Compile the required passport documents,
- Choose your preferred passport processing time through our website – the options range from days to weeks, and
- Send or drop off the application documents to the nearest TVP office.
Our agents will receive and review your documents before sending them for processing at the state passport office. Just like that, you can reduce your passport processing time to days and get your new passport at your doorstep!
How Long Does It Take To Get a Passport For a Minor?
Minors must be present at the local acceptance agency during the verification process, which adds to the passport processing time. So, how long does it take to get a passport for a minor? The time to get a passport in most states ranges from ten to thirteen weeks during average backlogs. Thus, it can take longer when more people have made applications. You can use our expedited services to get your minor a passport in just days!
How Long Does It Take To Get a Passport Card?
The passport processing time might have you considering getting a passport card instead. But how long does it take to get a passport card? Most states process passport cards within five to seven weeks. However, the timeline is subject to the number of applications, the state, and whether you have included all the requirements. TVP also expedites passport cards and can get you one within days.