Routine passport applications are processed in approximately 4-6 weeks, while expedited service is completed within 8 business days for an additional fee of $60. Applicants needing a passport urgently should contact the National Passport Information Center for assistance. Special mailing instructions and tracking information are provided for both routine and expedited services to ensure secure and timely delivery.

1. Processing Times
Processing Times
ROUTINE SERVICE
As of (today), we are processing routine applications in approximately 4-6 weeks from the time of
application.
EXPEDITED SERVICE
As of (today), our expedited service commitment is to process your passport application within 8
business days from the time your application is received by a passport agency. This means you
should receive your passport or denial letter within 3 weeks door-to-door.Â
Please note that expedited service is an additional fee of $60.
Already Applied for a Passport?
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Check the status of your application online.Â
It takes approximately 5-7 days for applications to be tracked online. It may take less time if you paid
for Expedite Service and sent your application via overnight delivery.
Please remember when calculating processing times, passport cards cannot be shipped using
overnight delivery. All passport cards are returned using First Class Mail.
If you are traveling within 2 weeks or need a passport for a foreign visa within 4 weeks and:
Have not yet applied, please call our National Passport Information Center (1-877-487-2778) to
schedule an appointment and submit your application at a Passport Agency.
Have already applied, please contact our National Passport Information Center to speak with a
Customer Service Representative when you are 7 days out from your travel date.
If you are NOT traveling within 2 weeks or need a passport for a foreign visa within 4 weeks and:
Have not yet applied, please visit our First Time Applicants page or Renew a Passport page for
information on how and where to apply.
Have already applied, please refer to the application processing times above.
Please Note:Â the application processing times above apply to all types of passport services,
including requests for a name change and additional visa pages.
Information About Expedited Service

2. The door-to-door estimated timeframe for receipt of your passport takes into consideration the:
Additional time it may take to receive your passport application at a Passport Agency/Center when
you apply for Expedited Passport Processing through an authorized passport acceptance facility; and
Additional time it may take to mail the passport to you.
Effective February 26, 2014 the Department's standard for expedited passport processing
completion, as defined in 22 CFR 51.56, is eight business days from either:
Receipt of your passport application at a Passport Agency/Center; or
If the passport application is already at a Passport Agency/Center, the date your request for
expedited passport processing is approved.
Expedited passport processing is considered complete when the passport is ready to be picked up by
an applicant or is mailed to the applicant. Mail delivery times may vary and are not included
in the eight business day processing commitment.
Special Mailing Instructions
Customers who apply for a renewal by mail must clearly mark "Expedite" on the outside of the
mailing envelope, for the Expedited Passport Processing times to accurately apply.
We strongly encourage you to mail your passport application and any personal documents using a
traceable delivery method.
In order to protect the contents of your mailing from the elements throughout the delivery process,
we strongly encourage you to mail your passport application and any personal documents using a
secure means of packaging, such as a Tyvek envelope.
For detailed information on requesting expedited services, please visit Get a Passport in a Hurry.
Customers are advised to continue to check this web site for the most up-to-date application
processing times.
Call the National Passport Information Center 24 hours a day to make an appointment at a passport
agency.
Enroll in STEP
Enrolling in this free service will allow us to better assist you in case of an emergency while you are
abroad.
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