Passport wait times long as US preps for travel season. How to get yours in Washington
If you don’t already have your passport updated and ready to go, you may need to change your summer travel plans if you’re flying.
That’s because there’s a passport pileup heading into the summer travel season. Due to increased demand and a shortage of staff at the U.S. State Department, applications have been delayed, according to CNBC.
On March 24, the State Department announced that the processing time for passport applications is about 10 to 13 weeks, while expedited applications take around seven to nine weeks. This doesn’t include the time it takes for the mailed application to be received and the passport to be delivered — which can take up to two weeks on both ends.
This is an increase from early March when regular applications took 8 to 11 weeks and expedited applications took five to seven weeks. Unfortunately, wait times may get worse.
According to the State Department, the surge in travel surpasses the demand in earlier record years of 2007 and 2017. In the winter, they received more than 500,000 passport applications. The busier-than-usual application season could further impact processing times.
“We are monitoring record-high demand for passports and project to see that demand continue to increase through the spring and remain high throughout the summer,” notes the department’s website.
Additional staff are being recruited for U.S. passport centers to address the delay, and a satellite office has been opened to assist with processing.
The process
To apply for a passport or renew one, you’ll need to print out an online form. U.S. post offices also offer passport services, documents and information.
First-time applications must be submitted in person at a passport center, while renewals can be submitted through the mail.
You will need the following:
Use a printed single-sided on 8½-inch by 11-inch letter-sized paper or a pre-printed application from the post office.
Only handwritten marks are accepted when you use the Form Filler tool are your original signature and date.
Original proof of U.S. citizenship such as an expired passport, birth certificate or Certificate of Citizenship
Two passport photos.
A secondary form of ID.
After submitting your application, you can check its status online. It may take two weeks for updates to show.
How much does a U.S. passport cost?
For first-time applicants, you’ll have to pay two fees:
Adults 16 years and older will have to pay an application fee of $130 for a passport book plus an acceptance fee of $35.
Passport cards, specific for traveling the northern and southern U.S. border, such as Canada and Mexico, are $30.
Passport books are required for international travel.
Application fees for kids under 6 are $100 for the passport book and $15 for the card, plus the $35 acceptance fee. The form of payment will vary depending on the passport center, but generally, facilities will accept checks, cash and credit cards.
Adults renewing passport books must pay $130 for the application. Renewing passport cards is $30. You can send your money by check when you mail your paperwork.
If you want to expedite your application and get your passport earlier, you can pay an extra $60.
Where to go in Washington
If you’re applying for the first time or applying for your child, you must go to a passport center.
You can apply at a post office, government office or library.
The U.S. Department of State also operates passport agencies. There is only one in Washington State, in Seattle, and you can make an appointment by calling 1-877-487-2778.
The department is hosting special application fairs across several states in May and June for people applying for the first time.
