Three weeks ago today, the Dept. of State received my request for an expedited passport. It stated that it could take 3-5 weeks. (They also cashed my check that day.)
I looked today and it now says 5-7 weeks.
If you plan to get a new passport, even expedited, don't wait until the last minute.
Frank, I just looked at the website. The passport office has (temporarily?) closed their online renewal window effective February 7, 2023. It stated that they have had over 500,000 online renewal applications! Government planning at its best!
Pandemic made a big backog, and then those civil servants working from home that could retire--did retire.
The government is short of employees and it shows in passport backlog. Plan ahead on getting the renewals.
Today’s backlog is minimal compared to during the pandemic when it took 18 weeks to get my passport renewal. My daughter-in-law went in last week to apply for first passport and was told to expect a minimum of 9 weeks (not expedited).
They probably got overwhelmed with the online renewal system that just launched recently. I renewed mine through expedited mail last summer and got it back in my mailbox exactly 21 days after I posted it to them. Hang in there. At least it's not pandemic levels of delay (at least not at the moment).
From what I recall reading, the plan for the new online system was to open it for windows of time for real-world testing, before closing it again to make any necessary changes. I expect they will continue this testing cycle until they're confident it's ready for full availability.
I sent my passport in (by USMail to the Texas facility - I was renewing too early to be eligible for the online system) and it took 31 days from certified mail to receiving my new passport (not expedited) by regular mail.
For the test in August, 2022, the system was opened to 25,000 applications.
"Since last August, over 500,000 customers have successfully submitted an application online."
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/renew-online.html
"We plan to reopen the portal to new customers in March."
I renewed mine by mail since I was too early for online. I'll come back here when I receive my passport to give people some idea of time. Although that will probably vary daily.
The only sad part is I had hoped to travel outside the country in March. I shelved that. I do have a big trip planned in April. I'm relying on the U.S. government. My fingers are crossed.
The passport card is sent separately and I figure I should have it in time for the next presidential election.
The status on my non-expedited, renew-by-mail passport changed to Approved 7 days before I received the new passport (and passport card, in a separate mailing) in the mail.
I renewed my passport via the online option on January 21st and when I check to see the status, it just says "processing". It does not give any time estimates. My trip is not until middle of May so I'm hoping the renewal process does not take that long!
It took four months for me to get my passport renewed during the pandemic. 5 weeks is nothing.
The passport card is sent separately and I figure I should have it in time for the next presidential election.
When I did it, the card was only a few days behind, maybe a week.
My passport and passport card arrived the same day in two different mailings.
Forgive the silly question but it’s been almost 10 years since I renewed my passport. Just what is the purpose of the passport CARD? Is there an advantage to having a card, as well as, the passport?
You can use the passport card when entering the US via land or sea. You still need a passport for flying into the US.
I just received mine in the mail.
I sent it around mid-November. It was received by mail a few days later; however, it was not acknowledged as received by the Passport Agency until December 14. I requested regular mail-in renewal and they told me it would take 6-9 weeks. It took about 7 weeks until I got it in the mail.
They processed it within the time estimates given, so I was fine with it - I'm not traveling until the summer (the expiration for the old passport was in May 2023).
