Why does it take so long to get a passport?

Asked by: Prof. Calista Bahringer  |  Last update: October 2, 2022
Score: 4.7/5 (71 votes)

"There is a massive and unprecedented, monthslong backlog of passport applications in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it's currently holding up international travel for millions of Americans, including far too many families here in northern New Jersey," Gottheimer said at a press conference in Paramus on Monday.

Why is it taking so long to get a passport?

Why is it Taking So Much Longer to Get a Passport? The coronavirus pandemic has caused passport processing times to take longer than normal because passports are currently backlogged. Many people applied for passports before the pandemic, and now the government is trying to process each passport to lessen the backlog.

Why is 2022 passport taking so long?

Staffing shortages and mailing delays caused by the pandemic caused the extended wait times. It is important to note that the current estimate of eight to 11 weeks posted on the State Department website is only the time for processing applications and doesn't include shipping times.

What happens if my passport doesn't come in time?

Answer: You need to call 1-877-487-2778 to possibly pay the 1 to 2 days delivery fee. Please note, however, that expedited service takes 5 to 7 weeks excluding the time it takes for the application to arrive at the processing center and for the passport to arrive at your door.

How can I speed up my passport?

Expedite a Renewal

Fill out your DS-82 application and collect your documents. Be sure to include the $60 expedite fee in addition to the normal application fee. See Passport Fees for more information. Clearly mark "EXPEDITE" on the outside of the envelope.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO PROCESS A BRITISH PASSPORT/ONLINE PASSPORT APPLICATION TIMELINE

24 related questions found

Can I travel while waiting for my passport?

Answer: As an American citizen, you are now required to leave and return to the United States with a valid U.S. passport. You cannot travel while your U.S. passport application is still in pending or in process. The only way you can get a passport issued sooner is by applying in person at a regional agency.

Do you need a passport to go to Cancun?

CANCUN AIRPORT | IMMIGRATION

Visitors from the USA do not need a passport to enter Mexico. You may use: Birth Certificate or. Voter Registration Card or.

Can you expedite a passport after applying?

Passports can be issued quickly in an emergency - such as ill health or death - but forgetting to allow adequate time for an application to go through is not seen as an emergency by the Passport Office. The only way to speed up the process is to pay for it.

How long does it take to get a passport 2022 Reddit?

2/17/2022 - New Passport received in mail. Total time was 1 month and 5 days. The Expedited service definitely exceeded its expectations, since the turnaround time was 5-7 weeks and it took less than 2 weeks on Passport Agency's end.

How long does it take to renew a US passport 2022?

How long does it take to get a passport? As of July 2022, the processing times given by the U.S. Department of State were eight to 11 weeks. The processing time of a passport starts as soon as it's received by a center or agency, not the day it's sent in or applied on.

How do I check on my passport status?

You can call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 or 1-888-874-7793 (TDD/TTY) to check on your status. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays. You can use the automated system to check your passport information 24 hours a day.

How many passports are processed in a day?

The backlog has built up in just 10 weeks since the agency severely curtailed passport services on March 19 to only "life-or-death emergencies." According to the report provided to Congress last week, the department has been receiving 9,000 passport applications each day, compounding the logjam.

Do you need a passport to go to the Bahamas?

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

U.S. citizens are generally required to present a valid U.S. passport when traveling to The Bahamas, as well as proof of anticipated departure from The Bahamas. Those traveling to The Bahamas on a cruise may use another Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document.

Can a U.S. citizen enter the US without a passport?

A passport is not required. Citizens of Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda must present a valid passport from their country to travel to the U.S. by air. When traveling by land or sea, they must provide the necessary travel documents outlined by the Department of Homeland Security.

What countries do not require a passport?

You can travel without a passport in the following countries:
  • Puerto Rico.
  • US Virgin Islands.
  • Northern Mariana Islands.
  • American Samoa.
  • Guam.
  • Canada.
  • Alaska.
  • Mexico.

Can a felon get a passport?

Most convicted felons and ex-felons can get a passport. However, even if you are issued a passport, it does not mean that you will be able to travel anywhere you wish. Many countries refuse to let convicted felons enter their borders, both for public safety and for political reasons.

Can I still use my old passport while waiting for my new passport?

Use your old passport and you will be able to travel anywhere as long as there is 6 months validity remaining. Might be different for each country. In the US they take your old passport while processing the new one. They send both to you, but the old one has holes punched in it to invalidate it.

Is an expired passport valid ID?

We can only accept a passport that is valid and within its expiry date. This would be the same for any Identification documents. All would need to be within their expiry dates.

Can I book a flight with an expired passport?

An expired passport and international flights – summed up

Can you book an international flight with an expired passport? Sure! Bookings don't usually require any legal documents to be presented. Just make sure that your passport is fully prepared by the time you need to do check-in.

Can I get passport in a week?

Citizens will be granted a fresh passport under the normal category in a week if their applications are accompanied by three documents - copies of Aadhaar card, electoral photo identity card (EPIC) and PAN card - besides an affidavit in the format of Annexure-I (declaration of citizenship, family details and no ...

What if I am not at home when passport is delivered?

As your passport has been returned undelivered, we request you to contact the respective RPO and submit an application so that the passport may be dispatched again. Please also enclose the proof of the present address along with the application.

Do I need a passport to Hawaii?

American Citizens Do Not Need Passports

If you are an American citizen, you do not need a passport to travel to Hawaii. You can use your driver's license or state-issued ID card as long as it is up-to-date and has your current address on it.

Do you need a passport to go to Jamaica?

U.S. citizens are generally required to present a valid U.S. passport when traveling to Jamaica, as well as proof of anticipated departure from Jamaica. If you are traveling to Jamaica on a cruise, you may use another Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document.

Is it illegal to not have a passport?

If the answer to the question "is it legal not to have a passport, even if you are not travelling" is "yes, of course it is," then the answer to the question "is it illegal not to have a passport even if you are not travelling?" must be no.