Passport Renewal - sent mine off on Jan 17, 2025 - paperwork/photo/fee all correct per review at my local city hall prior to sending. I am patiently waiting, and in no rush, but wondering if there are any issues with our US passport renewal process due to the current Administration and all of the turmoil going on in government?
Also, anyone have concerns about traveling/flying due to the political climate right now?
Just pondering as I plan my next adventure!
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1233 posts
Replaced my passport (expired in '27) after the election specifically to avoid any issues. Unexpedited service was still only a couple of weeks and the cancelled ones were returned a few days later under a separate cover.
I'm not sure anyone knows for sure but seeing other departments get "buy out" offers and aggressive attempts at staff reductions alone if enough to make me worry about lead times for government services in the future.
I'm still planning on travelling unless things change remarkably. I think in general there is more of an understanding of the politics and individuals are separated from their governments actions to a greater degree. The old "US out of -" and knee jerk anti-Americanism of the 70s and 80s is long gone. Remember people putting Canadian flag patches on their packs?
American politics are watched very closely in Europe and in general friends overseas are reacting with dismay, sympathy and sadness. And also with wariness because it was expressed to me by more than one person "What happens in the US happens here 2-5 years later."
Good luck with your passport and everything else,
=Tod
Posted by
5355 posts
No telling, passport will probably be fine. Employees had a couple weeks to start processing it before they started getting emails being threatened out of their jobs. I am sure morale is high.
Posted by
CT
113 posts
I submitted my renewal application online on Jan. 20. Just got a notification (on Feb. 5) that my new passport has been shipped and will be delivered in a couple of days.
If you renewed online, you can check your status online too. Not sure about mail-in renewals.
I bet you’ll be fine!
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12149 posts
Current Processing Times
Routine 4 to 6 weeks
Expedited 2 to 3 weeks
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/processing-times.html/
Also, anyone have concerns about traveling/flying due to the political climate right now?
What country/countries are you thinking of going to that might be a problem?
Check this site -- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/. -- for areas of concern
Posted by
352 posts
Submitted mine Jan 11 and scheduled to arrive Feb 10. Husband submitted Jan 19, scheduled to arrive Feb 12. Expired Oct 2025 but going to the UK in April and wanted new requirement in new passport and especially to avoid whatever the new administration was going to do to hamper renewals.
Posted by
352 posts
Submitted mine Jan 11 and scheduled to arrive Feb 10. Husband submitted Jan 19, scheduled to arrive Feb 12. Expired Oct 2025 but going to the UK in April and wanted new requirement in new passport and especially to avoid whatever the new administration was going to do to hamper renewals. They kept us updated every step of the way which was very good and definitely reduced my stress level.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2835 posts
Have you enrolled in updates to find out the status? That should answer your question about where it is in the process. Sometimes local governments send them in batches and not one at a time (YMMV). https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/status.html