Passport wait times are down. But you still shouldn't delay if you need one. What to know
Good news, future international travelers: The wait to get your passport has dropped.
The U.S. Department of State updated its passport processing times on Oct. 2. Now, passport applicants can expect to wait eight to 11 weeks for standard service and five to seven weeks for expedited service, which costs $60 extra.
Wait times fluctuate based on demand, but this summer passport applicants faced long waits as the State Department managed high application volumes. For the last six months, processing times were 10 to 13 weeks for standard service and seven to nine weeks for expedited service.
Here's what to know about the newly announced changes and applying for a passport in metro Phoenix.
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Why are passport times decreasing?
In a statement, the State Department said it's improving the way it processes passport applications and is hiring more people to handle the applications.
Staff worked "countless hours" as applications flooded the department this spring and summer, and the department increased its staff by 10% to handle the unprecedented demand. More than 24 million passport books and cards were issued from October 2022 to September 2023, a record number.
The State Department also mentioned it's "investing in supporting and modernizing our technology" to improve customer service and processing, but didn't specify how.
I applied during the summer. Will I get my passport sooner?
No. The State Department said the new processing times only reflect passport applications received on or after Oct. 2. Passport applications submitted this summer are still subject to the longer processing times.
What does this mean for passport appointments in Phoenix?
When passport processing times were highest this year, record demand for passports coincided with a shortage of appointments at passport acceptance facilities for people seeking their first passports or expedited service. Many facilities in metro Phoenix didn't have open appointments for at least a month.
Now, demand appears to be easing up. Several passport acceptance facilities, including Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court offices and the Phoenix post office at 4949 E. Van Buren Street, have availability within two weeks.
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 as a PDF that can be printed and filled out) and a check for the application fee.
How much do passports 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."
Expedited service costs $60 more than regular passport service.
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Reach the reporter at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @salerno_phx.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Wait time for passport renewal, new application decreasing. Here's why
