Post office how long to get passport

For more than 40 years, passport services have continued to provide convenience for customers as well as a revenue stream for the Postal Service. USPSs proud to work with the Department of State to provide customers with such a convenient way to apply for their passports. Apply at least six months before planned travel. Give yourself ample time to apply for or renew your passport and have it processed and returned to you.

For consumers who opt to pay the extra fee to the State Department for expedited service, their passports are returned via USPS Priority Mail Express or other providers i.

Customers are always advised to apply for passports as early as possible whether for a first-time passport or renewal. State Department processing times for both Routine and Expedited services have increased.

Processing times begin the day they receive your application, not the day you mail it. Routine service can take up to 18 weeks from the day an application is submitted to the day they mail your new passport to you.

The Postal Service suggests allowing a few days—each way—for your application to travel in the mail to and from the State Department. Priority Mail service includes tracking and delivery in business days. Check delivery time estimates on the Priority Mail Delivery Map. Our Passport Page on usps. You can get questions answered immediately and also check for your passport status. Customer service representatives will not give status updates over the phone. It should be valid for at least six months after you return home and needs to have two or more blank pages.

The good news is that the Postal Service has 4, facilities around the country that can accept first-time passport applications on behalf of the U. Department of State. For more information, see details at the Department of State website. We want to ensure your passport application process goes smoothly and that you have the resources you need to begin your travel planning.

Here are some common questions USPS passport acceptance clerks are often asked regarding passports. First-time passport applications must be submitted in person at a passport acceptance facility e. Some locations can take your passport photo. You can filter your Post Office search to find specific passport services. Although some Post Offices offer walk-in passport acceptance, many Post Offices offering passport services require an appointment.

Apply for your passport several months before your trip. First-time applicants, minors, and applicants who may not renew by mail may submit their passport application at the Post Office. The U. State Department website explains what you'll need to bring with you. Apply for a Passport in Person.

Visit the U. Department of State website to learn how to apply for a passport and what documents you need. Post Offices have set hours for passport services. Many require an appointment. To get a new passport application processed within 2—3 weeks, submit your application at a passport acceptance Post Office and pay for expedited processing and 1—2 day delivery service for faster return shipping.

NOTE: If you are traveling within 2 weeks or need a foreign visa within 30 days, you must apply at a Department of State passport agency. First-time passport applications have two types of basic fees, the application acceptance fee and the application processing fee. Passport photos and fees for faster processing are extra. Pay acceptance fees in person at the Post Office. You may pay by check or money order, payable to "Postmaster," debit card, or credit card. State Department payment is sent with your application package.

You can check your application processing status on the Department of State website business days after you submitted your passport application at the Post Office. Passport Application Status. You can mail your renewal application directly to the State Department yourself. You may renew your passport by mail if you still have your most recent passport. There are a couple of things you can do to better protect your documents and ensure safe delivery.

One, use a a secure means of packaging, such as a Tyvek envelope. Two, mail your passport application and any personal documents using a traceable delivery method. Standard processing takes up to 6 weeks, 8 weeks or more depending on the demand at the time you apply.

If you want your passport faster, you can request expedited passport renewal service which is estimated to take weeks. Write the word "Expedite" on the outside of the envelope. You can also accelerate the process by using two-way overnight delivery.

Note, address to which the application and supporting documents is sent depends on the type of processing you select. Your most recent passport will be returned to you along with your new one. However, they may arrive separately.

For complete instructions, click the link below. How to Renew Passports. Obviously, the simplest way to keep your passport safe is to safeguard it while you travel. Passport cards are wallet-sized IDs that allow for entry to the U. The difference between a regular passport and a passport card is that passport cards cannot be used for international air travel. If you do want to spring for both, you can apply for both a passport and a passport card at the same, using just one application form.

It takes seven to 10 days for passport applications to show up in the online system , but you just plug in your last name, date of birth and the last four digits of your Social Security number to track your passport status.

Contact us at letters time. Here's What You Need to Know. Top view of american passport on wooden desktop.