The current 2019 Novel Coronavirus has significantly impacted routine service by the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Department of State of the United States for passport operations. Three phases were put in place to resume normal operations of processing passport application at passport agencies, passport centers, and official facilities. Service had slowly returned to normal.Wait: How many weeks does it take to get a passport?According to the latest official update by the government agency, routine passport processing can now take up to 18 weeks or about 4.5 months from when the application was submitted.Here is an exact copy of the official update.What to ExpectMail delays can impact the processing of passport applications. Processing times start the moment we receive your application and not when you mail it.Routine service can take as long as 18 weeks from the time an application is submitted until the day that a new passport arrives. This 18-week period includes processing times of up to 12 weeks and mailing times for the front and back ends taking up to 6 weeks.It can take up to 18 months from the date an application is received to the day that a new passport has been issued. This 18-week period includes processing times of up to 12 weeks and mailing times for the front and back ends taking up to 6 weeks. The expedite service, which costs $60 more, can take up 12 weeks from the date an application is submitted until the new passport is issued. This 12-week period includes processing time of up to 6 weeks and mailing times for the front and back ends of the passports taking up to 6 months.Processing times of up to 12 weeks for routine and 6 weeks for expedite do not include mailing time. Mailing times can vary, and there have been delays that were significant. Make sure to plan ahead.We recommend:Trackable mail is the best way to track your application so it arrives in our system. This is possible regardless of whether you apply at an acceptance facility, or by mail.For the return of your passport, you will need to pay an additional $17.56.Learn more about Status Updates. It can take up to six weeks for your application to be updated. Your payment is processed and your application entered into our system. Your application and supporting documents will be delivered to us even if the status update for your passport states that your passport is not available. You can check online to see your passport status.Self-Service Tools Online: We are experiencing a high volume of calls and longer wait times. Use one of our self-service tools to get answers immediately. You will see the same information online as what call center representatives can share with your by phone.Are you planning to travel? Apply early! You should apply at least six months prior to your planned travel. We cannot guarantee that you will receive in-person service at any passport center or agency due to the limited availability of urgent travel appointments. Customers with life-or death emergencies are our priority. Learn more at our Passport Agency and Center page.Renew by Mail: Adults who have a 10-year passport can apply to renew it by mail, rather than appearing in person.SummaryPeople I know who have renewed their passports have not had the 18-week wait. One person told me that they received a new passport on Saturday, June 5, 2021. They had applied for a replacement on Wednesday April 21, 2021. That is six weeks and three days.But don't take this experience lightly. You never know what obstacles may hinder you from getting your passport in the time you need it.The extended wait to get a new passport will hopefully be temporary and can be resumed once the applications are processed.Additional articles on the history of passport processing during the 2019 Novel Coronavirus pandemic, plus a few other articles about passports are:All photos taken by Brian Cohen in 2016 and 2019.This is what you can do: ShareLinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterestEmail
