As travel ramps up, U.S. says it has reduced passport processing backlog. Here’s what to know

Having to apply for a US passport cuts waiting times by 60%, so you can get your passport several weeks earlier than was possible in the summer.

The US State Department said that applying for a US passport will take eight to eleven weeks for regular processing from October 29; and five to seven weeks for Expedited Processing, which incurs an additional $ 60 fee.

“The US State Department is committed to processing passport applications as quickly as possible,” said a press release.

“Reducing backlogs, shortening processing times and increasing support in our agencies are our priorities.”

In summer, applying for a passport can take up to 18 weeks.

The passport processing times begin as soon as the application has been received by the authorities.

The State Department, the authority responsible for passport processing, recommended applying for your passport at least four to six months in advance to avoid mishaps.

Appointments for urgent passport processing are limited and can only be arranged by telephone.

“We prioritize customers with life-threatening emergencies,” said the State Department.

To schedule an appointment, call 1-877-487-2778 or 1-888-874-7793 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

The extension of the passport can also be requested by post. People with 10-year passports can apply by post without having to apply for them in person.

The State Department warned that if a customer applied for a regular passport more than 11 weeks ago or an expedited passport more than seven weeks ago and did not receive it, they may have been sent a letter requesting more information to reply to continue processing. You must follow these instructions to respond to a request.

Here are some common questions about applying for a U.S. passport:

In person – first-time applicants, those under the age of 16, and those who have lost their passport must apply in person.

You can do this at any of the offices, libraries, or post offices that offer the service.

Find your nearest location here. For North Texas, see the available offices here.

By Mail – This is an option for people who need to renew their passport or change personal information.

Also for people who already have a passport book or a passport card and would like to receive the supplementary document.

People who want to replace their passport with limited validity or lost or stolen passport can also apply by post. Applications can be initiated on this website.

You can request three forms of passport processing:

  • Standard (takes up to 11 weeks)
  • Accelerated (takes up to 7 weeks)
  • Urgent (same day)

Prior to the pandemic, the Dallas Pass Processing Center accepted walk-in applicants.

Now it only allows people with confirmed telephone appointments and only accepts the appointment if the customer’s trip is planned within the next three days.

Find the passport processing centers in North Texas and their phones here.

  • Standard and Urgent Processing (up to 11 weeks): $ 110 passport book and $ 30 passport card.
  • Expedited Processing (up to seven weeks): $ 110 passport book and $ 30 passport card, plus a $ 60 expedited processing fee.

You can pay an additional $ 17.56 to expedite passport shipping and reduce mail delivery in a day or two.

Yes sir. Urgent passport applications must be made in person at one of the passport processing offices across the country.

Before the pandemic, people could easily get an urgent passport up to three days before traveling. However, due to the pandemic restrictions, face-to-face appointments were limited to life and death situations.

In the event of a family member’s death, serious accident, or illness, rush processing is allowed and the circumstances must be proven.

The State Department says you need to be able to provide a death certificate or funeral home, hospital documentation, or other evidence that you need to travel urgently.

The agency has indicated that the urgent appointments available for non-urgent situations such as a vacation trip within 72 hours are extremely limited.

You can find the full requirements here.

To travel overseas as a U.S. citizen, you must present a valid passport.

To return to the United States, the federal government has relaxed the rules due to the pandemic so that people with expired passports can re-enter the country by December 31, 2021.

In addition to the passport book – which has several pages when you return to the country, which have to be sealed by the customs officers, you can apply for a passport card with which you can re-enter the country across national borders or by ship.

The passport book is required for the return journey by plane.

There is a barcode with your data on the card. It’s convenient for people who frequently travel by car or bus and enter the United States via the bridges and checkpoints along the borders with Canada and Mexico.

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