Passport Processing Time Back to Pre-Pandemic Speed

by M.C. Millman 

Passport processing time, which was taking as long as eighteen weeks in some cases, as reported by BoroPark24 here is finally back to pre-pandemic processing times, according to the U.S. Department of State. Passport processing times are now 6-8 weeks for routine processing and 2-3 weeks for expedited service (for an additional $60), the fastest it has been since March 2020. 

In 1990, only five percent of Americans had a passport. Today, that number is 48%. More Americans can travel abroad now than at any time in our history. There are now over 160 million valid U.S. passports in circulation (nearly double the amount from 2007).

This past year, the U.S. Department of State experienced unprecedented demand for passports. Between October 2022 and September 2023 (the federal fiscal year), the Department of State issued over 24 million passport books and cards – the highest amount ever in our nation’s history.

Click here to plan your 2024 travel with the latest passport guidance and processing tips in mind. 

U.S. citizens traveling overseas are encouraged to renew passports early and when traveling overseas to enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program here to receive important messages about destinations directly, including timely alerts and updates to travel advisories.