Because laws have changed recently in regards to passports, people are now getting them for the first time. The question most asked now is of course, “How long will it take to get a passport?” This is a very important question to have answered because if there is an upcoming trip that will not require a passport, things could get a little dicey.
First, it is important to note that passport applications have skyrocketed in recent years. This is not due to a spike in international travel, but is instead due to a new law that requires passports for land travel to border countries. The law, which went into effect on June 1st, 2009, made passports mandatory for travel between the U.S. and Mexico or Canada. Word of this law caused a spike in passport applications as early as 2006.
The applicant is responsible for the first step of the application process. The applicant must obtain passport photos, a government issued ID card, and a proof of citizenship. The faster this part of the application is completed, the faster the whole process will go.
As soon as everything has been gathered, the actual application for the passport can begin. Finding a local passport office is as easy as going on the Internet and most local post office can do passport processing. To avoid getting caught in a crowd, try and go at hours when the post office will not see a lot steady walk-in traffic.
Once the application has been approved by the application center, it is sent off for processing. This is the longest part of the application process. This is also the part of the application that worries most new applicants, as this part of the application has been known to take a great deal of time.
Currently, the average wait time to receive a passport once it has been accepted is about 4-6 weeks. When vacation seasons are coming around, this time frame can be a bit longer as there will be many more applications coming into the offices. The law changes that went into effect actually helped this cause as people would wait close to a year at times to get their passport.
If that time frame still does not work, there is actually an expedited service that is offered for $60. Anyone using this service will have their passport back to them in about two or three weeks. If this is still not quick enough, there are other services that cost a bit more, but the passport application literally gets pushed to the front of the pile.
how long does it take to get a passport? The truthful answer is that it all depends on what method is chosen. It can be as quick as a week and as long as two months, it is all about how much the applicant wants to pay for quick service. However, why not just head over to the local U.S. passport office now and get the process rolling so you have the passport in place just in case it is ever needed.