Between October 2022 and September 2023, the U.S. Division of State issued greater than 24 million passport books and playing cards—the best quantity for a fiscal yr within the company’s historical past. And that was with lingering pandemic-fueled staffing shortages that noticed processing occasions bounce from the traditional 6 to eight weeks to between 10 and 13 weeks. (Processing occasions have since returned to the 6-to-8-week timeframe.)
“Extra Individuals can journey overseas right now than at any time in our historical past,” the State Division wrote in a press release, additionally noting that 48 p.c of Individuals now maintain passports, up from simply 5 p.c in 1990.
Now, in an effort to supply passport companies to Individuals nearer to the place they stay and maintain passport processing wait occasions down, the State Division has introduced plans to open six new passport companies. The brand new workplaces will assist “higher serve the rising variety of Individuals looking for U.S. passports,” the company added.
These are the cities the place new U.S. passport workplaces will quickly open:
- Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah
- Kansas Metropolis, Missouri
- Orlando, Florida
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- San Antonio, Texas
- Cincinnati, Ohio
The State Division has but to launch a exact timeline for when the brand new workplaces will start accepting passport purposes, however once they do open, it’s going to deliver the full variety of passport facilities throughout the USA to 35.
Along with common companies for first-time passports and renewals, these workplaces may also present fast-track service, the place vacationers can get an expedited passport inside two weeks and, in some life-or-death instances, same-day passport issuance. The sooner service, nonetheless, does require an in-person appointment.
Though first-time passport candidates should apply in particular person, it doesn’t should be at one of many passport facilities. There are additionally upwards of seven,400 public passport acceptance amenities nationwide, together with publish workplaces, libraries, and clerk of court docket workplaces, that may take routine purposes for mail-in processing. Another choice for first-time candidates is the State Division–run “Particular Passport Acceptance Festivals,” that are being held this summer time in Arizona, California, Florida, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Those that must renew can sometimes achieve this by mail, although a restricted variety of candidates every day are presently being allowed to take part in a beta take a look at of a web-based renewal program earlier than the capabilities roll out on a bigger scale.
As of press time, the processing time for U.S. passports is six to eight weeks (or two to 3 for expedited service). Software charges for passport books and playing cards are $130 and $30, respectively. To use for a brand new passport, you’ll want to supply the passport software kind, proof of U.S. citizenship (reminiscent of a start certificates, certificates of naturalization, or certificates of citizenship), an ID (like a driver’s license or U.S. navy ID), and a passport photograph taken inside the previous six months. The State Division recommends that vacationers apply for or renew their passports at the least six months earlier than journey.