Passport processing times have fallen again, with the US Department of State processing passports faster than last month.
Passports now take seven to 10 weeks to process for routine service or three to five weeks for expedited service, according to the State Department. That’s a week faster than last month and three weeks faster than over the summer.
“Our processing times only include the time your application is at one of our passport agencies or centres,” the State Department wrote on its website. “Mailing times are not included in processing times. The total time to receive your passport includes both processing and mailing times.”
In addition to the processing time, the department said it can take up to two weeks for applications to arrive by mail at a passport agency or centre, plus up to two weeks to receive a completed passport in the mail after it is printed.
The new processing times apply to passports received on or after 6 November. Travellers can also apply in person for expedited service, but they must have international travel plans within 14 days.
Passport books cost $130 to renew and expedited service costs an additional $60, according to the State Department.
The State Department also launched a pilot program to renew passports online last year, but the program is currently on hold, according to the department.
Travellers who have applied for a passport in person or by mail can check the status of their application on the State Department’s website.
The State Department is also holding in-person “Special Passport Acceptance Fairs” at public libraries, recreation centres and local city clerks’ offices during November and December. These passport fairs are specifically designed to help new passport applicants and will be held across the country, from New Jersey to Wisconsin, Florida and more.