Important Due to Covid-19, processing times for passports are taking longer than normal for both standard and expedited services.
by Kavin
(Brooklyn, NY)
Question: I'm a little hesitant to mail my currently valid passport and would rather submit my paperwork and passport to the passport office directly. Will this be faster?
Answer: Passport application acceptance agents located in local post offices do not receive applications for renewals.
Passport renewal applications must be sent by mail or submitted at a regional passport agency. However, regional agencies only attend to applicants who need to travel within two weeks or less or within four weeks if the applicant needs to obtain a visa after the passport is issued.
Applying for a passport renewal by mail requires the applicant to send his or her most recently issued passport. Millions of people do this every year.
There are a couple of things you can do to better protect your documents and ensure safe delivery. One, use a a secure means of packaging, such as a Tyvek envelope.
Two, mail your passport application and any personal documents using a traceable delivery method.
Standard processing takes up to 6 weeks, 8 weeks or more depending on the demand at the time you apply. If you want your passport faster, you can request expedited passport renewal service which is estimated to take 2-3 weeks. If you do this, you need to include an additional $60 in the payment to the Department of State.
Write the word "Expedite" on the outside of the envelope. You can also accelerate the process by using two-way overnight delivery.
Note, address to which the application and supporting documents is sent depends on the type of processing you select.
Your most recent passport will be returned to you along with your new one. However, they may arrive separately.
For complete instructions, click the link below.
How to Renew Passports
Click for fast expedited courier service
Top 5 Questions About Expedited Passport Couriers
COVID-19 UPDATE: Mailing delays are impacting passport processing. The Department of State's processing times begin when applications are received at a passport agency or center and not when you mail them or apply at a local acceptance facility. Standard service may take between 7 and 10 weeks. This timeframe does not include delivery time. Mailing times vary across the country.
Expedited service takes from 4 to 6 weeks exluding mailing times on the front and back end. Mailing delays may be significant so requesting 1-2-day mailing may greatly help.
Regional passport agencies are offering two types of appointments: Life-of-Death Emergency Service and Urgent Travel Service.
Life-or-death emergencies are serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family (parent, legal guardian, child, spouse, sibling, and grandparent) that require you to travel outside the United States within 3 business days.
If you need to travel due to a qualified life-or-death emergency, please call the National Passport Information Center for an appointment:
Mondays through Fridays 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. ET, call 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY:1-888-874-7793) Outside of these hours, call 202-647-4000.
For Urgent Travel Service, you need to call 14 days before your scheduled international travel or 28 days if you also need to secure a foreign visa.
If you need to travel urgently for reasons other than a life-or-death emergency, please call the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 Mondays through Fridays 8 A.M. to 10 P.M. ET.
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