Passport Delays due to COVID-19

I'd hate to say this, but I think it's a moot point whether or not you get your passport renewed on time. The larger issue is a very strong probability of not being able to find a flight or gain entry by summertime.

Everything that requires live staff is backed up now, not just passports or loans to small businesses. I can't get my driver's license renewed right now because DMV is closed. Real ID has been suspended for another year.

the passport arriving is the least thing to worry about.

I agree that there's still a strong chance that travel may not be allowed.

"Finding a flight" is less an issue right now. We had all of our travel booked. Most of it still is, except that BA has cancelled one leg of our return flight. (The last flight of the day, with several options that day still available - so I can currently rebook at a very small savings over our original fares.)

Whether to avail ourselves of this option to rebook, or to take the cancellation as impetus to start cancelling everything else is the question now on the table, and passport availability is one of the variables. The others being that we have one significant prepaid hotel expense that is "non-refundable" (though I hope to be able to negotiate that) and that the next available window to schedule a trip of this type is Summer 2021. I mention the timetable for rescheduling not because "it's a long time to wait", but rather because it is more than one year beyond the original dates, which affects whether/how I'll be able to utilize various travel vouchers, etc.

Finding a flight that will actually go between the US and your destination is definitely an issue.

I don't know how many commercial flights there normally are daily between Paris CDG and the U.S., for example (maybe a couple dozen? Maybe more?), but for the foreseeable future, there is ONE. Operated by Air France and going to/from JFK one day, and LAX the alternate days. And every few days, there is NO flight.

None of the other operators - American, Delta, United -- are flying the route at ALL.

There just aren't planes going across the Atlantic, whether you hold a ticket for one or not.

I agree with earlier responders that the passport is not going to be the thing that ends your trip.

I am sorry for the disappointment that I know this must cause you but I think that you need to come to terms that this trip is nearly 100% not going to happen.

I submitted a routine renewal on my passport the middle of February. My check was cashed March 6th and I got my new passport around the 15th. Did you send a personal check for the fee and did they cash it yet?? If not I think i would call the passport office and see if you can find out what the delay is. Good luck!!!!

I submitted a routine renewal on my passport the middle of February. My check was cashed March 6th and I got my new passport around the 15th. Did you send a personal check for the fee and did they cash it yet?? If not I think i would call the passport office and see if you can find out what the delay is. Good luck!!!!

Interesting. My check was cashed 2/28 and my application moved to "Pending" on 2/29, but no movement since...

I would definitely call the passport office to find out what the delay is especially since they cashed your check back in February.

What are your timelines- depart to and return (June, July or August) ? What countries? Especially what country is the nonrefundable hotel in? France or Italy- you will probably be seeing a voucher from the hotel for 18 months.

June 18 LAX to Edinburgh (+1) via LHR
Travel Scotland until June 27th
Fly Inverness to Dublin. Non-refundable Hotel in Dublin 6/27 to 6/30
Tour Southern Ireland out to Dingle Peninsula until 7/4
Fly Shannon to LAX, via LHR 7/4

The LHR->LAX on 7/4 was the cancelled flight, but several others still "on sale" for that day.

I have to align with some of the others who have surmised that European travel will not be likely this summer at all. When you consider the route cancelations, the closing of hotels and restaurants across the continent, and the fresh memories of the COVID 19 deaths, I submit that you have plenty of time to have your passport renewed before the 2021 travel season.

I don't think you can realistically expect to travel to Europe this June. I would rebook the trip next year for all the reasons previously mentioned by others. The US state department's Level 4 is still in effect, Do Not Travel Internationally. Not to mention, with our Covid-19 numbers here, do we really have this under control to the point where we should be going there?

Regarding your passport, if you did not request expedited service, the state department's advisory on US passports says they are not able to meet their usual 6-8 weeks routine service. "Significant delays" sounds to me like twice that time; who knows?

Interesting topic.

I realize you were planning independent travel, but it may be instructive to note that RS has cancelled all tours with start dates before June 14. I have no crystal ball, but I agree with those who state not having a passport will not be why you are unable to travel in June.

Your question does bring up an interesting issue that I suspect is affecting all governments at this time, processing passport and in relevant cases visa applications. One more speed bump in the return to normal.

I guess my Global Entry application that I submitted and paid for last September isn't moving forward anytime soon ... not that I will be using it anytime soon. :-(

We were lucky to complete our Global Entry interviews on arrival at SFO in mid-January and got our cards a few weeks later. Like OP, my subsequent passport renewal is in limbo at the State Department -- received March 3, check cancelled March 6, eight weeks will be up April 28. At the time I submitted it we were planning a September trip; now we're sticking closer to home.

My husband got his passport renewed in the last 2 months. We knew we weren’t traveling this spring (sadly) so it only made sense as the passport was up in February of 2021. He also applied for global entry but not surprisingly no news. My brother and sister in law have a renewal for the Mexico pass and it has been more than a year. They continue to be able to use their old pass. The passport renewal was routine,so it definitely is a reasonable thing for I do now if you are within 9 months of expiration. I am very ready for to travel again.

Note that the Passport Office is advising to NOT submit applications at this time.

We submitted our standard processing renewal request in February, the Passport Office acknowledged receipt on Feb 21, and they cashed our checks on Feb. 24. As of April 22, the application status is still pending.

Can I still apply?

While you can still apply in person for a U.S. passport at some
acceptance facilities and renew through the mail, we will not be able
to meet our commitment of 6-8 weeks door-to-door for routine service.
You should expect significant delays beyond this time period it
normally takes to receive your passport and your citizenship evidence
documents. Please consider waiting to apply until we resume normal
operations.

I posted this a couple weeks ago ----

The State Department has made two major announcements, as follows:
As of March 2020, the U.S. government has stopped issuing new passports, except for "life-or-death emergencies." You can still renew your passport by mail, and can call the National Passport Agency at 877-487-2778 to see if your local passport issuing center is accepting in-person renewal applications. It is not immediately clear when new passport production will resume.
The REAL ID deadline has been pushed back a year, from October 1, 2020 to the same date in 2021. Thus, domestic airline passengers can use their regular driver’s license or ID card as proof of identification up until that deadline. Still, though, we recommend obtaining a REAL ID sooner rather than later, as there will doubtless be a back-up in the system once production resumes.

I think that this year I would concentrate on domestic travel. Otherwise you risk at least some money. Travel abroad I am afraid is going to be. very uncertain. Nobody knows if the restriction will relax and if they relax what will be our risk of catching potentially deadly disease.

I am having the same issue. They received my renewal March 7th and cashed check March 11th. Still says "in-process" and when I call they can't tell me anything, even when speaking to a supervisor. I realize its easy for people to say that travel or passports should be the least of our worries but several thousand dollars is a lot of money to just lose because of the passport. its a lot to try and coordinate and figure out what to do right now. Supposedly International Travel will be opening back up in Italy May 18th. Because of this we have several hotels in Italy saying that since travel will be allowed by the government, they will not issue a credit or refund on our prepaid rooms. Have you had any luck on yours yet? Our trip is scheduled for the first week of June. I would love to hear any info or headway you have made!