The waiting time for a US passport after observing a sizeable period of hustle-free and fairly quick service owing to the COVID pandemic has risen yet again recently after a sudden spike in demand prompting the services to remain busy.
State Department spokesperson upon interacting with the US media on the queries associated with the passport-related wait time responded by saying, "Our processing times can fluctuate throughout the year with upticks in demand, especially as we approach the busy season for spring and summer travel," a State Department spokesperson told USA TODAY by email.
The development is coming against the backdrop when the prices are up, in a survey done on over 2200 US adults 28% have booked trips within the last month of January, which stands up by two percent at the same time a year earlier.
There are many queries associated with prevailing matters around the issuance of passports, here’s what every traveller must know about the US passport:
How long will it take to get a US passport?
Travellers can expect near about 8-11 weeks for routine services and in the case of expedited service, 5-7 weeks is the minimum that it will take, which is a time period given by the US state department.
Moreover, these periods as mentioned do not include the mailing times, which may vary across the US Travelers, who might also have to wait as long as two weeks from the day they apply for their application to be "In Process."
How much does a US passport cost?
It depends for travellers 16 and older applying for a passport for the first time must pay both an application fee and an acceptance fee, as per the State Department. Application fees run $130 for a passport book, $30 for a passport card and $160 for both, while the acceptance fee stands at $35 for each option.
How long is a US passport valid and when you must renew it, everything to know:
Citizens aged 16 and up who are renewing their passports have to pay the same amount for the application fee, however, this time they will be exempted from paying an acceptance fee. While, for children under 16, application fees run $100 for a passport book, $15 for a passport card and $115 for both, with a $35 acceptance fee for each option.
However, there is an option to expedite your passport processing by paying an additional $60 fee. Moreover, they can opt to pay an extra $19.53 for one- to two-day delivery, though that option is not available to applicants for passport cards alone.
From where can the applicants get their passports?
In case of routine and expedited service, travellers can apply at an acceptance facility or renew it by mail (some must apply in person, including those who have never had a U.S. passport and children under 16). Those with urgent – but non-emergency – international travel plans within 14 calendar days can call 1-877-487-2778 to make an appointment, though some restrictions apply, according to the State Department.
The department also has a provision for travellers to make an appointment if they "have a life-or-death emergency that requires international travel within 72 hours (3 business days)."
What is the case of a passport while travelling on a cruise?
In case US citizens are taking closed-loop cruises, that start and end at the same US ports can enter the country with a govt issued photo ID or a birth certificate instead, however, the State Department encourages having a passport "in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port," as per the detailing on their website. Cruise lines might also require it.