A universal truth: The travel industry is unpredictable. The U.S. Department of State states that standard passport processing times range from 6 to 10 weeks. However, this estimation is from when your application is shipped. Other factors, too, may affect the time it takes to receive your passport. For example, if you are applying for a passport using form DS-11, you will need to make an in-person appointment with an acceptance facility rather than just mailing it in. Getting an appointment in some states and cases may also cause delays.
Of course, there are other ways of applying that may get you your passport faster. The U.S. Department of state offers expedited and emergency passport renewal services. Then, there are private courier companies that have contracts through the USDS that can get your passport expedited as well.
Applying with A Passport Acceptance Facility
Your options for submitting a passport application include post offices, courthouses, clerks of court, libraries, and public universities. These passport acceptance facilities range in availability for booking appointments. In most cases, it will take about 6-10 weeks to receive your passport when applying in this traditional way. You will need to apply at an acceptance facility if you are applying for a first-time or new passport. If you plan on expediting your service, they will only be able to expedite the process to 3-6 weeks.
Courthouses and clerks of court may be your best bet for walk-ins and same-day bookings because many people may need to be made aware that courthouses and clerks or courts are passport acceptance facilities. They can handle First-Time and new passports, as well as passports for minors under sixteen. These applications are required to be submitted in person.
Libraries and public universities also tend to do passports, but these are hit or miss and have strange operation hours. This also goes for various municipal offices that do passports as well. Like Courthouses and court clerks, they can handle First-Time and new passports, as well as passports for minors under sixteen.
Applying at a Post Office
Passport renewal requirements are different because you must be eligible to mail in your application. Post offices are the only way to renew because you cannot apply for a passport renewal at a courthouse. The processing times remain the same, around the 6-10 week mark.
Post offices are the most common way to apply because they are more easily accessible to the general public. Still, it can be hard to get an appointment because of their limited availability. You can apply for a First-time or new passport and passports for minors under sixteen. However, the only place you can apply for a passport renewal will be with a post office, and it will have to be submitted through a mail-in process.
Same Day or Emergency Passport
If you need a passport immediately and in 3-6 weeks, you can also try applying through the U.S. Department of State. They have brick-and-mortar offices in about 26 locations.
However, it is not a guarantee that you will receive an appointment. The USDS does not allow walk-ins, and you cannot book an appointment online. Applicants used to be able to apply online, but because the appointments were in such high demand, customers would book appointments and sell them to potential applicants.
To avoid taking appointments away from customers who needed them, the U.S. Department of State has transferred to a “call only” method of booking appointments. Potential applicants must call and navigate a long phone tree to speak with a representative to decide if they qualify for a same-day service. You may not have someone else call for you, and you may not transfer your appointment to another applicant.
You will also need proof of travel, such as an airline ticket or itinerary showing that you are leaving the country in 14 days or less.
What May Delay Your Passport
When planning for the arrival of your passport, its important to know what may delay your passport.
1. Felony Drug Convictions
The U.S Government will not make a passport for anyone with a federal, state, or felony drug offense, especially if the felon is charged with international cross-border drug trafficking. The distribution of drugs and or substances is another big one that will give you a small to no chance of being able to travel internationally.
2. Child Support Payments
If someone owes $2,500 or more in child support, they are not eligible to receive a U.S. passport. This rule is set in place by the Passport Denial Program. The program allows for not only the denial of an application but has the right to revoke or restrict your passport if you owe $2500 or more in child support.
3. Certain Unpaid Taxes
Yes, you may be denied a passport or even have your passport revoked for owing tax money to the IRS. The IRS notifies the U.S. Department of State of any delinquent tax debt, which will then generally deny the application of any applicant with those outstanding debts. This applies to owing Individual income taxes, business taxes, and trust fund recovery penalties that are or are over the amount of $55,000.
4. Application Errors
Application errors can be the easiest mistakes to look over. This includes the proper requirements for your passport photo. Review your application a few times before applying. Make sure your application is filled out correctly. Ensure you have accurate information and all the documentation required to send.
Applying with a Private Courier
The Passport Office can get your renewal or new passport within three days of submitting your application. Private couriers require an additional fee. Applying online or at one of our locations can save you hours of your time. The Passport Office offers walk-in appointments, whereas the government office requires an appointment that takes a week or two.
Also, applicants can apply online and mail their supplemental materials to receive their expedited passport renewal. The Passport Office has the tools, information, and highly knowledgeable advisors to get you on your way to your desired destination hassle-free. We aim to ensure the process is seamless, convenient, and stress-free as possible for you. Apply for your expedited passport in Orlando, Miami, Hollywood, and Tampa with The Passport Office today!
