Itching for an international trip? Be prepared to wait up to 18 weeks for a passport
Expect competitive airfares, non-stop flights and more
Travelers caught off guard by passport application delays
U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) said his office is getting a tremendous number of requests for help with expedited passports.
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Passport appointments are hard to get
There are several reasons for the delays. State Department offices were closed for several months last year during the worst of the pandemic, and some people decided to hold off renewing their passports since most travel was on lockdown.
Combine those factors with the resurgence of confidence in travel and you get a big demand for passports.
Most passport acceptance facilities — like post offices, clerks of court and public libraries — are back open and accepting applications but may have limited appointment availability.
“Passport demand is considerable at the moment as customers in Phoenix and across the country look forward to expanded travel opportunities. We’re working to increase passport application availability, but USPS isn’t the only passport agent of the State Department,” Rod Spurgeon, spokesperson for the USPS in Phoenix, said.
He urged first-time applicants to check for appointments at county clerks, libraries or State Department passport offices. If you just need to renew your passport, the State Department urges you to do that by mail.
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Long waits for postal returns
Typically, the State Department estimates that those applying for routine services can get their passport through the mail within 12 weeks. That timeline is six weeks if you pay the $60 fee to expedite it.
However, the processing time begins the day your application is received, not the day you mail it, and that’s where passport seekers also are seeing delays.
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What to do if you have an emergency
With those delays in mind, Stanton’s office is urging people who think they may travel in the next six months to start the application process now.
If you have more pressing plans or an emergency, you have a couple of options if you need a new passport.
You can go to one of the State Department’s passport agencies and get same-day service. But, that comes with a couple of caveats.
First, you’ll need an appointment, which are mostly reserved for cases involving life and death emergencies. Appointments can be made online at passportappointment.travel.state.gov/.
In an emergency, you also can reach out to your congressional representative’s or senator’s office for help. They have staff who help constituents navigate issues with government agencies, including the Department of State.
melissa.yeager@azcentral.com. You can also follow her on Twitter and Instagram.