On a positive note, wait times for renewal by mail are back down to normal time frames – 6 to 8 weeks for standard processing and 2 to 3 weeks for expedited service.
Updated: Mar 27th, 2023 – Jake has some interesting thoughts below, but the bottom line is that you can now setup an account here to apply for your online passport renewal:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/about-us/mytravelgov.html
We are all busier than a 1 armed paper hanger with the crabs.
So how can it be your fault that your passport expired in 2006?
The airlines won’t care……….Right?
Ahhh, yeah…your F’d.
Once you get done wailing, pointing fingers, and gnashing your teeth, go online to the new Passport Renewal Website.
The Bad News:
The typical non-expedited wait for a passport renewal is 11 dog years. (Editor’s Note: Actually it’s currently running 8-12 weeks for a new application, and 5-8 weeks for a renewal application).
So you should have your passport renewed by the time you retire.
The Good News:
Executive Order Number 432,445,210 was issued.
So the government is now Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government
If you click the link, be sure you have sucked down a Venti mocha triple-shot. It’s a deep read.
But, hidden in all that pork is this key improvement:
“Americans will be able to renew their passports securely online, saving time from having to wait and the effort and cost required to print, go to a post office, and use a paper check. We must use technology to modernize government and implement services that are simple to use, accessible, equitable, protective, transparent, and responsive for all people of the United States.”
Why did they use 6 words to just say “faster”.
Unfortunately, we don’t have the online link for you yet. Yay! NOW we have a link for you, but you’ll need to apply for an online account before you can begin the online passport renewal process:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/about-us/mytravelgov.html
Btw….they just jacked the price of your passport up by $20.
Can you say ‘Transitory Inflation’. When will it transit back down?
~Jake
I’ll keep the sand warm for you whilst you await your shiny new passport!
Don’t Miss:
Our most popular FAQ on this topic:
This happens more frequently than many realize……”Yikes! I got married and changed my drivers license but not my passport – what now?!?”
BUT, this is a biggie — make no mistake, you MUST ensure that your names match on both your airline ticket and your passport! If they don’t, then one or the other must be changed, which generally incurs a fee. AND in case you’re wondering, if you’re a U.S. citizen, you cannot travel outside of the US or its territories without a passport any longer – it’s required to return the the U.S., no exceptions…..so don’t think that because you changed your driver’s license that will suffice — it won’t.
Depending on how much time you have before you travel (you’ll need at least 3 months or more), it’s better to change the name on your Passport, because you’ll need to change it eventually anyway (you have up to one year after marriage to change your passport if you changed your name).
Currently Passport processing times are running around 8-12 weeks for a new Passport and 5-8 weeks for a renewal only. And if you wait until yours expires, then it becomes a “new” application, not a renewal. If you’re renewing, be sure you get your application in before it expires.
Need to change the name on your Passport in a hurry?
Tight on time? You can:
- Get a new passport in as little as 8 days by going to a Department of State Passport Agency, but that does require an appointment and proof of immediate international travel, along with paying the expedite fee;
- OR you can expedite the mailing of your new passport (2 to 3 week turnaround time) by simply paying the extra expedite fee in addition to the normal application processing fee when you apply or renew by mail.
If you’re REALLY short on time, it may be faster and less expensive to have your airline change the name on your ticket, but each airline has their own policies and fees (which are generally less than the expedite fee for a new passport!). Check with your travel agent or directly with your airline to explore this option.
Lastly, remember that your Passport MUST be valid for a period FOLLOWING your return flight — usually for at least 6 months after — but be sure to check with your travel agent as that date can vary depending on what country you’re visiting.
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