Whether you’re a first-time international traveler or an experienced globe-trotter, the task of applying for a new passport, seeking a replacement, or renewing an expired existing one can take longer—or require more paperwork—than you might realize. Here is an essential guide to getting your passport on time and (hopefully) with the least amount of headaches or hassle.
How long does it take to get a passport?
According to the U.S. State Department, travelers can currently expect to receive their new passport within four to six weeks for routine service or two to three weeks for expedited service. That processing time is down significantly from the 6 to 8 weeks quoted prepandemic and the 12 to 18 weeks travelers were told they’d need to wait during the height of the pandemic-era backlog of applications. The State Department also notes that the slower season for passport applications is from October through December. If you are able to apply then, processing times might be shorter.
Even more helpful: As of September 18, 2024, most travelers looking to renew their passports can do so entirely online, 24/7. It is helpful alternative to the mail-in paper application process, which can be lengthy and inconvenient because the quoted processing times begin once the passport agency has received the documents, not once you have mailed them.
Still, to obtain a new or renewed passport in the United States, it’s important to allow ample time, especially around the holidays when government offices may be closed.
How to expedite a passport application
Third-party expeditor services, such as ItsEasy Passport & Visa Service or RushMyPassport, can be a lifesaver if you need a passport in a hurry. For an additional fee beyond the the standard passport application and expedited passport service fees, these companies will send someone to the passport agency to present your documentation on your behalf. But expect to pay a minimum of $300 for the service.
U.S. passport agencies offer an expedited service for an additional $60 to process a new passport from within a few business days to within a few weeks.
To receive a passport within a few days, you must apply in person for a same day or emergency passport at one of the 27 passport agencies throughout the country. To qualify for one, you will be asked to show documentation validating your request, such as your already purchased flight, a death certificate, or a signed letter from a doctor if the reason is a life-or-death emergency. You can schedule an appointment online, but the best way to get the appointment and all the information you need regarding an expedited passport is by calling the passport hotline at 877-487-2778.
If you are not near—or cannot get to—a U.S. passport agency in person, you can apply for an expedited passport by mail, which again, takes two to three weeks from the time the passport office receives your documents, not from the day you mail them. If you’re in a bind, this is where the private expediting services could be handy.
Situations that could delay your passport
Triple-check an application before submitting it because a mistake as simple as a missing signature or forgetting to complete a section of one of the forms could derail a time-sensitive application. Similarly, wearing glasses or smiling with your teeth showing could mean your passport photo is rejected. If that happens, you have 90 days to resubmit a compliant photo.
Other potential delays include outstanding child support over $2,500 or unpaid tax debt. Probation and felony issues could factor into not being able to secure a passport, too. The government may need additional documentation or proof of citizenship before handing over that coveted blue book. Unfortunately, fees will not be returned if your passport application is denied.
Once you have identified the reason behind your application being denied, correct the issue and reapply.
Costs and how to apply
If it’s your first time applying for a passport, you will be asked to provide a check or money order to cover the $165 fee ($130 for the application and $35 for the acceptance fee). Children under 16 pay $100 for first-time applications, plus an additional $35 acceptance fee. Adults renewing their passport pay only the $130 application fee, which, if they qualify for online renewal, they can pay with a credit card.
What else should I know about applying for a passport?
Even if you already have a passport, many countries require that it be valid for at least six months after you arrive in the country, meaning the passport is truly only valid for 9.5 years, not the 10 years stated on the passport. Another caveat: Some countries require you to have between one and six blank pages for visa stickers and stamps. These are details that can halt your travel unexpectedly at the airport, so review the specific requirements of the countries you will be traveling to—and through.
When you are sent your new passport, the agency returns your old one with a hole punched in the cover. That hole invalidates the old passport. Be sure not to mistakenly travel with that old, invalidated passport.
If you travel often, you can request permission to hold a second U.S. passport. The reason some very frequent travelers opt to have a second passport is that, in the event they need to send one away for visa applications, they can still travel abroad with the other one. However, the additional passport will only have validity for up to four years. Another option: you can request additional pages when you apply for your new passport. Doing so will give you more wiggle room for visas and stamps before the passport expires. But this solution alone won’t help you if you need to send that one passport away for visa acquisitions.
This article was originally published in November 2018. It was most recently updated on January 21, 2025, to include current information.
