Passport wait times are way up. How to get or renew yours as fast as possible in Arizona
Travelers who are trying to get or renew a passport will need to wait a little longer than normal, even if they're willing to pay for expedited service.
In response to high demand, the U.S. Department of State updated its passport processing times on March 24. Applicants can now expect to wait 10 to 13 weeks for standard service and seven to nine weeks for expedited service, which costs extra.
Those times are up from the previous eight to 11 weeks for standard service and five to seven weeks for expedited service. These times do not include mailing, which could take two weeks.
The nationwide passport backlog coincides with an increase in demand for appointments at passport acceptance facilities, including in metro Phoenix. Most facilities are reporting no available appointments in April.
If you're planning an international trip — or if you've got one scheduled — don't delay. Here's what Arizonans need to know about getting or renewing a passport in 2023.
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Why is my passport taking so long?
The State Department reported receiving an above-average volume of passport applications this year, outpacing 2022 volumes by more than 30%.
Passport demand reflects consumers' growing interest in international travel. The World Tourism Organization predicted in January that international tourist arrivals worldwide could reach 80% to 95% of prepandemic levels in 2023.
That's playing out in Arizona. Airlines have added or announced several new international routes out of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport this year. Most notably, Condor Airlines is expanding its seasonal service between Phoenix and Frankfurt, Germany, to three times weekly starting in May.
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Why is it so hard to get a passport appointment?
High demand is making passport appointments nearly impossible to find.
People seeking their first passports or expedited service must apply in person at a passport acceptance facility, like a clerk of courts office, post office or public library. The State Department lists about 25 of them in metro Phoenix. People whose previous passport was issued when they were under 16 or whose previous passport was lost, damaged, stolen or issued more than 15 years ago also must apply in person.
Most passport acceptance facilities in metro Phoenix show no appointments for the next four weeks, including all Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court offices, all post office locations that offer passport services, Arizona State University and passport offices in Chandler, Scottsdale and Surprise.
With so few appointments available, some people have had to drive as far as Eloy, about 65 miles from Phoenix, to get passports.
Overwhelming demand sparked one passport acceptance facility to offer weekend service in April. The Clerk of the Superior Court's Customer Service Center in Phoenix offered appointments from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 22 and 29.
As of Thursday, March 30, all those Saturday appointments were fully booked.
What do I need to get a passport?
Passport appointments last about 15 minutes. People must bring a government-issued ID like a driver's license, their old passport if renewing, passport photos, a filled-out copy of the passport application form DS-11 (available online via a form filler tool and a PDF that can be printed and filled out) and a check for the application fee.
How much does a passport cost?
Standard service for passport books costs $130, plus a $35 acceptance fee, according to the State Department.
Passport cards, which are valid for land and sea crossings — not for air travel — to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda, cost $30 plus a $35 acceptance fee.
Application and acceptance fees must be paid separately. The application fee can only be paid by check, made payable to "U.S. Department of State."
How much does an expedited passport cost?
Expedited passport books and cards cost $60 more than standard service:
An expedited passport book costs $190 plus a $35 acceptance fee.
An expedited passport card costs $90 plus a $35 acceptance fee.
What's the quickest you can get a passport renewed?
Travelers with urgent needs may be able to get a passport on short notice.
The State Department operates places called passport agencies or passport centers that handle same-day requests for emergency travel by appointment only. Some passport agencies also process passports for urgent travel not considered an emergency. Passports can be expedited for travel that will occur within 14 days.
Service for life-or-death emergency travel is available to people who must travel within three business days because an immediate family member living outside the U.S. died, is dying or has a life-threatening illness or injury. The State Department considers parents, grandparents, legal guardians, children, spouses and siblings as immediate family, but not aunts, uncles or cousins.
The State Department operates one emergency passport center in Arizona, the Western Passport Center in Tucson. To make an appointment call 877-487-2778. Appointments are limited and the State Department cannot guarantee their availability.
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Can you renew a passport online?
Online passport renewals were available in 2022 as part of a pilot program. But the State Department paused online passport renewals on March 8, 2023, as it works on improvements to the service based on customer feedback.
To find out if you can renew online when online renewals resume, go to https://travel.state.gov.
Can you renew a passport by mail?
You can renew your passport by mail if it meets these requirements:
You have your old passport on hand to submit with your application.
The passport is undamaged except for normal wear and tear.
It was issued when you were 16 or older.
It was issued in the last 15 years.
It was issued in your current name, or you can provide proof of a name change.
Mail renewals should include a filled-out copy of renewal application form DS-82, available online via a form filler tool or a PDF that can be printed and filled out, as well as a passport photo, name change documents if applicable, and a check for the application fee.
How do I check my passport renewal status?
People who applied in person or renewed by mail can check the status of their application online at passportstatus.state.gov.
You need the following information to check your status:
Last name, including suffixes like Jr. and hyphens when appropriate.
Date of birth, in MM/DD/YYYY format.
Last four digits the person's social security number.
Updates may not be available in the first two weeks after submitting the application.
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Reach the reporter at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @salerno_phx.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Passport wait times are high. How to get or renew yours in 2023
