Why 2023’s Travel Season Means a Longer Wait for Passports

The summer of 2023 is projected to be one of the busiest travel seasons on record, with bookings for overseas trips at an all time high, according to studies conducted by travel-focused companies, Expedia and Hotels.com.

The soaring interest in international travel has created a surge in passport applications with the Department of State reporting a 40% increase in applications this year compared to last year’s numbers - rising from 22 million passports processed in 2022 to a projected 26 million this year. Not surprisingly, this scenario is impacting processing times for the U.S. passport agency, resulting in longer than normal wait times for travelers anxiously awaiting these required documents. Since passport application time periods are cyclical and based on seasonal demand, with late winter and early spring being the busiest, there is no way to guarantee processing times, warns the Department of State.

It's helpful to review this information regarding the passport renewal / application process before making any travel arrangements:

• Routine passport processing averages between 10 to 13 weeks
• Expedited passport processing averages 7-9 weeks and costs an additional $60 per application
• Urgent passport processing (needed sooner than 7 weeks) must meet specific criteria and must be handled through an in-person appointment process through the Department of State’s passport agency. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast.html

Some countries require travelers to hold a passport that will be valid for 6 months BEYOND the end date of their trip to that country. Travelers can check the requirements of the country they are traveling to here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html

Why does applying for / renewing a passport take so long? Here’s a breakdown of the process:

• It can take up to two weeks for an application to be delivered by mail to the Department of State
• Once the application is received, the actual processing time begins
• Once processed, the passport is mailed to the recipient via the USPS which can at times experience unforeseen delays

Since there are many variables affecting the passport application process, anyone considering international travel within the next year should take the time to review their passport to confirm it will be valid during their anticipated travel dates, and to factor in the passport application processing time when booking their travel.

Visit the Department of State website - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html - for more information on how to apply for a passport and to check the status of an application in process.