Why passports take so long

Children under age 16, first-time applicants and applicants who had their passport lost or stolen must apply in person — no mail-only option is allowed. Appointments are required at some, but not all, locations. And again, make time to gather your application materials, which includes evidence of U. Some countries require passports to be valid at least six months beyond your trip dates. Also see: When should you book travel for the holidays?

With luck — and some extra money — you may be able to get your passport sooner than 18 weeks. The State Department offers a few types of rush passport services:. In some respects, the problems facing travelers and the travel industry, are in line with the shortages and slow delivery times found in all corners of the economy, Agnello said. Related coverage: If you're traveling between states, here's where you'll have to self-quarantine.

The State Department has said the number of pending passport applications is between 1. And despite plans to bring on more employees, the backlog won't be eliminated overnight, Rachel Arndt, deputy assistant secretary for passport services, said in a July 14 news conference. But it will take time for our wait times to fall from the current 12 to 18 weeks to pre-pandemic levels," she said, according to a transcript of the press conference.

The passport logjam and worries about when it might break have led to the creation of a Facebook page , where more than 7, users have been sharing passport-related tips, venting frustrations, offering accounts of pleading their case to their congressman and stories about phones that no one answers. Contact Jim Martin at or jmartin timesnews.

But she said Americans needing to apply for or renew a passport should do so at least six months ahead of when they plan to travel. Those without immediate travel plans are encouraged to renew their passports by mail. Meanwhile, the State Department and Department of Homeland Security have taken steps to ease issues related to Americans abroad with expired passports who are trying to return home.

The departments announced in May that U. That provision does not apply to travel between other countries unless it is a transit stop. You can also follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Support local journalism like this story by subscribing today. Facebook Twitter Email. Need a passport? It's taking a very long time to get one. Here's what Arizonans should do. Melissa Yeager Arizona Republic.

Show Caption. Hide Caption. Here's how to get your first passport.