Congratulations!
You have finally booked that much-discussed trip to Europe. The family has saved up enough money, everyone managed to agree on a timeframe, and the list of sights you'll want to see abroad is growing.Now, all you need is a U.S. passport. For some, that process equals "hurry up and wait," and can appear scary and difficult, filled with bureaucratic red tape, and with an application that is impossible to navigate. It conjures up images of some government office that took forever to find, just to get to a window and be told you didn't have everything you needed, whether it is your first passport or you are renewing your old one.
Our digital, nanosecond age teaches us that there should virtually be minimal wait time for these travel documents; unfortunately, that's not very accurate. So...
How Long Does it Take to Get a Passport? How Long to Renew a Passport?
In reality, the U.S. Department of State, who governs (among other things) the issuance of new passports and renewal passports, has streamlined the process over the years to make it more user-friendly, and to cut down your waiting time.
Why do you need a passport, anyway? Well, it is against the law to travel in or out of this country without this official document. These little booklets are carefully regulated and tracked. Legal U.S. citizens and noncitizen nationals (that have been naturalized) are eligible to receive a passport, which is generally good for 10 years after it has been issued. Its primary purpose is to verify the identity and nationality of the traveler. It contains the following information about you: name, date of birth, place of birth, a 2 x 2 inch photograph of you, your signature, your gender, and your nationality.
And this official travel document - as with other official documents - starts with an application. This is square one. If this is your very first U.S. passport, you will need a DS-11 form. If you are renewing your passport, you will need the DS-82 form. The quicker you get your application in, the faster you'll be on your way to your destination.
How Fast To Get a Passport?
How fast? Anywhere from 24 hours to six weeks depending on your travel situation and application method.
Let's walk you through it and cut down on your wait time. There are several places to get both the DS-11 and the DS-82:
How To Complete Your DS-11 and DS-82 Passport Forms
All right, you've got your DS-11 form (or your passport renewal form, DS-82). Now what?
1. Read it carefully and then gather the necessary documentation for your travel situation:
2. Decide where you are applying:
Passport Expediting Agencies
A few words on passport expediting service agencies. You can find them online using any search engine; they range from small "start-ups" to larger companies. If you choose to go that route to get your passport or renew your passport, tread carefully. Any reputable, legitimate service will have a contact phone number on their site. Call it. Make sure someone answers your call, and ask them a lot of questions. Good things to say:
- Are you going to process my passport application/renewal application or do you outsource it to someone else?
- How long has this company been in business?
- Do you have a street address or a physical location?
- Has your company been accredited through the Better Business Bureau?
- Is there a cancellation policy?
- Would they give you a customer to contact for reference?
Whether you are renewing your passport, or obtaining your very first one, decide on how fast you need it in your hands. Did you make your travel arrangements far enough in advance, or is your trip abroad coming together at the last minute? Processing wait times to consider:
The U.S. State Department updates processing times on its website (https://travel.state.gov) daily. There is also a link to check the status of your passport application, although they officially recommend that you wait 7 to 10 business days before you try that option out.
Fill out your necessary form for passport or passport renewal. Both the DS-11 and the DS-82 are six pages long. For the DS-11, the first four pages are instructions and guidelines, definitions and disclaimers in easy to understand terms. The forms both tell you what is accepted for documentation and what is declined. There are also stringent rules on that 2 x 2 inch head and shoulders shot that needs to be included. The DS-82 for passport renewal has a simple checklist on the first page as well.
For both forms, the actual application is only two pages (a page and a half, really) and quite straightforward. Follow the instructions and you're ready to go. Check, and double-check your information and your necessary documentation. Ensure that your passport photo follows the rules. Have your fees ready with the appropriate payment method. This will differ depending on where you go:
Passport Acceptance Agencies will take as payment:
Regional Passport Agencies will take as payment:
Via mail (for the DS-82 passport renewal form) as payment:
Whether you need a new passport or passport renewal in a hurry, or are just making careful preparations, the point to remember is that you do have choices, and you do have resources available to help. Agencies that work exclusively in passport expediting do have some reputable sites out there. Do your homework; make certain a small, missed detail won't delay the process and add to your passport wait time.
Any question you can possibly think of during your passport application or passport renewal process, can be answered by the U.S. Department of State at https://travel.state.gov, or by calling the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 (for TDD/TTY 1-888-874-7793).
Best practices when obtaining that passport or renewal? Have your ducks in a row. Plan ahead so that you do not have to wait for processing times and pay additional fees, when you're feeling the crunch. Because the only worry about your upcoming trip abroad should be how many things you can squeeze into that itinerary!
Above all, have a happy, safe trip no matter where your destination, and make a lot of memories.