The Department of State’s (DOS) Bureau of Consular Affairs announced on October 3, 2024, that it is reducing processing times for passports to 4 to 6 weeks, down from 6 to 8 weeks. “This announcement comes after months of issuing passports well under the 6-8 week commitment and showcases our progress to continuously improve the efficiency, equity, and accessibility of the U.S. passport application process,” DOS said. The updated processing time applies to applications submitted on paper or online.
For those in need of expedited service for U.S. passports, DOS said its processing remains 2 to 3 weeks. These processing times “begin when an application is received by the State Department and do not include mailing times,” DOS noted.
Those who wish to renew their passports can use the Online Passport Renewal system. DOS launched the full online renewal system on September 18, 2024.