Planning to renew your passport? Consider doing it sooner rather than later
Summer is slowly, but surely on the way. Before scoping out possible vacay destinations and comparing airline ticket prices, consider adding passport renewal to your checklist.
According to Travel and Leisure, the State Department recommends travelers who have plans to go abroad this summer to apply to renew their passport sooner rather than later. As of right now, passports are taking anywhere from eight to 11 weeks for routine processing and 5 to 7 weeks for expedited processing, which costs an additional $60. It is important to note that these time frames do not include mailing times, which the State Department says can prolong your passport’s arrival by a few weeks.
The Wall Street Journal states that passport processing time is longer than it was earlier in the month, where expedited processing took anywhere from 3 to 5 weeks. The increased time is most likely due to the influx of people who are prepping for their summer and spring plans.
Travelers who want to apply for or renew their passport have to do so by mail. The State Department had an option to renew online, but put a temporary pause on this earlier this month. Travel and Leisure states that when the program reopens, it will be available for travelers who are at least 25 years old, their most recent passport was valid for 10 years and their old passport was issued anywhere from nine to 15 years ago. Travelers who renew online cannot change details such as name, gender, and date or place of birth.
For more information, visit the U.S. Department of State’s website.
Roshae Hemmings is an arts and culture magazine journalist from St. Louis, MO. A graduate from the Missouri School of Journalism, Roshae has bylines in the Columbia Missourian, Vox Magazine and 5280 Magazine discussing topics ranging from pop culture, social justice and eat and drink. She is a foodie at heart and enjoys eating food as much as learning about the story behind it. When she’s not working on a story, Roshae enjoys cooking, watching and analyzing reality TV, and spending time with family and friends.
This story was originally published February 28, 2023 at 4:49 PM with the headline "Planning to renew your passport? Consider doing it sooner rather than later."