Will Someone Please Tell Me How Long Does It Take To Get A Passport

Because laws have changed recently in regards to passports, people are now getting them for the first time. The question most asked now is of course, “How long will it take to get a passport?” This is a very important question to have answered because if there is an upcoming trip that will not require a passport, things could get a little dicey.

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People are now getting passports like never before. Ever since the rumors of the new laws started to get circulated, the general public started to wise up a little bit in regards to getting a passport just for the sake of having one. It is never a bad thing to have the documentation and because of the long wait, it was safer to have it sitting in the drawer.

Before the process even starts, the applicant needs to make sure that they have what they can in order to expedite the process. A current passport photo is a must as well as a valid, government issued ID and proof of citizenship. If all of these items are together, it can make the early part of the process that much quicker.

As soon as everything has been gathered, the actual application for the passport can begin. Finding a local passport office is as easy as going on the Internet and most local post office can do passport processing. To avoid getting caught in a crowd, try and go at hours when the post office will not see a lot steady walk-in traffic.

Once the last step has been completed, it is pretty much out of the applicant’s hands. This is the part that takes the longest and it will often just depend on how many other applicants there are at that time. Realize that applications are coming in from all over and they all have to be processed.

Currently, the U.S. Department of State estimates passport-processing time at 4-6 weeks. This figure tends to fluctuate throughout the year. As high vacation season approaches, the number of applications tends to increase and the waiting period increases accordingly. During very busy times the wait can be several months. During the time preceding the law change, passport-waiting periods were occasionally seven months to a year. It is unlikely that such waiting periods will occur again in the near future.

The State Department also offers a passport-expedited service. Currently the waiting period for expedited passports is two to three weeks. The cost of an expedited passport is $60 plus the cost of overnight delivery. The State Department also offers various types of super-rush passports for dire emergencies. Obviously, it is best to try to plan ahead to avoid this kind of hassle. Applicants can also save significant money by obtaining the passport through standard channels.

Clearly, there is no one answer to the question, “how long does it take to get a passport?” It depends on the time of year and the type of year. A fair average is one to two months, but it is impossible to be sure. The best method to ensure that your passport arrives on time is to apply at your local U.S. passport office long before you think you will need one.