Processing Times & Return of Passport (2024)

FAQs

Processing Times & Return of Passport? ›

You should allow up to 10 weeks from when we receive your old passport, any supporting documents, or confirmation of your identity details if needed.

You should allow up to 10 weeks from when we receive your old passport, any supporting documents, or confirmation of your identity details if needed.

While passports are often available within one week, the exact time may vary significantly depending on the office used and the workload that the consulate is facing at that particular time. Current visa wait times are available on the U.S. Department of State website.

Unprecedented demand for passports is leading to longer processing times for new applications and renewals.

“In process” means the application is being reviewed. “Approved” means the State Department has finished reviewing the application. “Mailed” means the State Department is sending the passport in the mail.

Expedited service. Choose this service if you are traveling in less than 13 weeks from the date you submit your application. Expedited service takes 7-9 weeks. You can expedite at an acceptance facility or expedite a renewal by mail.

Once the state department has processed your application, they cancel the old passport and send it to you separately from the new one. The old passport may arrive after the new one. But if you still haven't gotten your old passport weeks after getting your new passport, you need to notify the state department.

Call 1-877-487-2778. You must have an appointment to go in person to a passport agency or center.

If your passport's time is almost up, don't wait — start the renewal process now. You can't travel while your renewal application is being processed, and you need to make sure your travel documents are valid for at least six months past the dates of any planned international trips.

Yes, in most cases, we will return the old, canceled passport to you. The old passport may be sent separately from your new passport. We recommend keeping your old passport in a safe place as it is considered proof of your U.S. citizenship.

Can I collect my passport from US Consulate? ›

After a visa application decision has been made, you can pick up your documents/ passport from the Visa Application Centre or have your documents returned to you by courier based on the mode of delivery opted by the customer at the time of submission of visa application.

If the application requires administrative processing, you will be asked to check the status of your visa from our website. If your application has been denied, the passport will be returned to you after the visa interview.

Rush My Passport is a legitimate company, but you should know what you're paying for and how to make the most of the service. If you're concerned about RushMyPassport being a scam, then it might be reassuring to know that the company has partnered with a few recognizable and reputable companies such as FedEx and AAA.

Do I need a passport? We recommend that everyone taking a cruise from the United States have a passport book. Though some “closed-loop” cruises may not require a U.S. passport, we recommend bringing yours in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port.

U.S. citizens are generally required to present a valid U.S. passport when traveling to The Bahamas, as well as proof of anticipated departure from The Bahamas. Those traveling to The Bahamas on a cruise may use another Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document.

It may take up to 2 weeks for applications to arrive by mail at a passport agency or center, and up to 2 weeks for you to receive a completed passport in the mail after we print it.

With a USPS tracking service, you can see when your application arrived using the tracking number on your receipt. Use the Online Passport Status System to check your application status if you applied by mail or in person. You may not be able to get a status update for 2 weeks after you apply or renew.

Contact the National Passport Information Center for information on U.S. passports, including the status of pending applications, as well as the locations of the over 4,500 passport acceptance facilities.

Do I need a passport to go to Canada? ›

Entry into Canada: Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry proof of citizenship and identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens. Children under 16 only need proof of U.S. citizenship.

Answer: The passport in your possession is no longer valid. One of the conditions of the online renewal is that your passport will automatically be invalidated once you submit your application. You have to wait for your new passport to arrive before you can travel overseas.

Many people like to have their old passports as a keepsake. Although your current passport does need to be turned in with your application, that passport will be returned to you. The canceled passport will have two small holes punched in the bottom of your identification page to mark it as canceled.

In Asia, nations like China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand enforce this rule. South American countries like Brazil, Venezuela and Bolivia also need a passport that's good for six months. While it may seem like a hassle now, this a six- or three-month validity rule helps in case of emergency.

Routine service can take up to 18 weeks from the day an application is submitted to the day a new passport is received. The 18-week timeframe includes up to 12 weeks for processing and 5 to 6 weeks for mailing times on the front and back end.

The first two digits of your nine-digit passport application locator number allow you to know which agency or center is working on your application. You can find your application locator number by checking our Online Passport Status System.

A passport card can be used as ID for domestic flights. It cannot be used for international air travel. Fits in your wallet, same size as a driver's license or legal permanent resident card. The cost for first time applicants is $65 for adults and $50 for children under age 16.

Yes, you will be denied entry abroad if your passport is about to expire. Additionally, if you need a visa, you won't receive one with a valid passport of less than six (sometimes three) months. For this reason, you have to make sure that your passport is up-to-date before you travel.

1. Mail renewal is best -- but it's not always available.

The easiest way to renew a passport is via mail, since it only requires a trip to the post office. Simply print a form from the U.S. Department of State and paperclip your photo to the application, along with your old passport and a money order or check.

Citizens to the United States. U.S. citizens will not be allowed to use their expired U.S. passport for direct return to the United States after June 30, 2022. If a U.S. citizen overseas has an expired U.S. passport, please contact your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to apply for a U.S. passport.

What kind of envelope do I need to renew my passport? ›

All Acceptance Facilities must use USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate envelopes (EP14F) OR USPS Priority Mail Express Flat Rate envelopes (EP13F) when mailing passport applications to the Department of State. No other form of trackable mail will be allowed for mailing passport applications.

U.S. Citizen Services Forms. The following forms are available online for printing. Make sure you prepare the right form, e.g. for a minor child prepare the DS-11, for regular adult passport renewals you need the DS-82, etc.

Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements). Each individual who needs a visa must submit a separate application, including any family members listed in your passport.

What happens if the passport is not stamped has an easier answer than what it may seem. If travelers didn't get their passport stamped at the US port of entry, they do not need to do anything. However, if you want to know the entry record, you can access Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record online.

To collect your passport you must present your original (not a photocopy) government-issued photo ID. Parents collecting passport(s) of their under-age children (under 18) must present ALL of the below documents: The parent's government-issued photo ID. (A copy is NOT accepted).

Email: Send an email to passportstatus@ustraveldocs.com and in the subject and/or body enter a valid passport number exactly as it was entered at the time the appointment was scheduled. Do not include any additional text. You will receive an automatic response with the status.

While passports are often available within one week, the exact time may vary significantly depending on the office used and the workload that the consulate is facing at that particular time. Current visa wait times are available on the U.S. Department of State website.

The application was not completed or signed. Your most recent passport was not submitted with the application. The correct fee was not included with the application. The name change document you submitted was not acceptable.

Online Premium allows you to get your new passport at your appointment at a passport office, with appointments lasting up to 30 minutes. You can use this service to renew an adult passport, and it is the fastest way to get a new passport. The earliest you can book an appointment is two days from when you book it.

If the number of business days an agency or center took to process your application is longer than our expedited service commitment, you can request a refund of the $60 expedited service fee. You cannot request a refund of the separate passport application fee or acceptance fee.

Can I travel on Royal Caribbean without a passport? ›

A valid passport is required; visas are required where they apply. This includes Europe, Asia, Central and South America. For additional passport information, visit www.travel.state.gov. Royal Caribbean International strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport during their cruise.

Mexico Cruise Passport Requirements

US citizens on closed-loop cruises, meaning they begin and end at the same US port, can travel to Mexico with proof of citizenship other than a passport. Accepted alternative documents include: US state-issued copy of the birth certificate. Consular report of birth abroad.

U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), a government-issued birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born) or passport, and if 16 or older, a government ...

Though most foreign travel requires that you have a valid passport to come back home, cruising makes it easier to enjoy your vacation without worrying about this paperwork. If you are a US citizen, you can take a “closed-loop cruise” (one that begins and ends at the same port) to The Bahamas without a passport.

At a Glance: Yes, you need a passport to go to Cancun, Mexico from the United States. When traveling by air, a valid passport is required, along with a completed Multiple Migratory Form (FMM).

How will I know if my passport is denied? If there happens to be any reason causing the passport application denial, a U.S. citizen will be notified by a letter with explanation and 90 (ninety) days to correct the error.

You'll need to provide proof that you're a U.S. citizen. Most people use a birth certificate. If you use this, too, ensure that it meets the necessary requirements. In addition to evidence of citizenship, you must present another form of identification, such as a driver's license or another up-to-date government ID.

Through SMS: To check the status of your speed post via SMS, type 'POST track <13-digit article number>' and send it to 51969/166.

US Passports

The POB designation is an integral part of establishing an individual's identity. It distinguishes that individual from other persons with similar names and/or dates of birth, and helps identify claimants attempting to use another person's identity.

How do I know when my passport is approved? ›

Call 1-877-487-2778. We will notify the agency processing your application of your date of travel and request that your passport is processed in time.

There are signs that will indicate you have been flagged for additional screenings: You were not able to print a boarding pass from an airline ticketing kiosk or from the internet. You were denied or delayed boarding.

However, individuals who applied online and have not received their passport within five days of planned should call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to make an appointment at a passport agency.

In case of renewals, the passport can be printed and dispatched as fast as one day and in case of other issues it takes upto 3 weeks.

By Email or Phone. The National Passport Information Center (NPIC) may also assist you. You can send an email to npic@state.gov or speak with a customer service representative by calling toll-free: 1-877-487-2778.

ECR/ECNR. ECR stands for Emigration Check Required and ECNR stands for Emigration Check Not Required. ECR status will be printed in the passport of the applicants who fall in the ECR category.For those falling in the Non-ECR category, there will be no specific mention in the passport.

A passport application has been granted and the police verification report has been submitted.

when I fill in the form for a new passport does it all have to be in capital letters? Although all capitals are preferred, mixed-case letters are acceptable as long as your writing is clear and legible.

NOTE: Place of birth was first added to the U.S. passport in 1917.

Which passports don t show place of birth? ›

Switzerland and Japan have passports that don't have places of birth and instead have place of origin or registered domicile. Meanwhile, Liechtenstein, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia have passports that don't have any place of birth entirely.