- How long does it take the US passport agency to process an application?
The US passport agency claims that regular passport applications are processed and sent out by regular US Mail "normally" within 6 weeks. Expedited orders are processed and sent by regular US Mail "ordinarily" in less than 2 weeks. There is no guarantee.
- Why does it take the US passport agency so long to process a passport?
The 1990's witnessed a dramatic increase in US passport processing. The total number of passports processed annually increased from a little over 3 million to more than 7 million during this period. The US passport agency has had a difficult time keeping up with the demand.
- What has the US passport agency done to compensate for the increase in passports?
The US Passport Agency created the National Passport Information Center, a fee-based call center. Instead of fielding calls, more time could be spent processing passports. This has helped very little; it still takes a lot longer for a passport application to be processed and processing times are very unpredictable.
- Is the US Passport Agency open on weekends and holidays?
No. The US Passport Agency is also closed on weekends. The US Passport Agency and most foreign embassies observe national holidays.
- Where can I find a US Passport Agency accepting appointments?
If you need your passport urgently, generally in less than 2 weeks, you can contact a US Passport Agency listed below.
You need to call the US Passport Agency nearest you in advance.
