State Department Announces Improved Passport Processing Times

The State Department has updated its current passport processing times, which show reduced processing times for routine and expedited services.  

As of Oct. 2, 2023, average processing times ranged from eight to eleven weeks for routine applications, and five to seven weeks for expedited applications.  

The update on processing times is the first that the State Department has announced in months. In March, average processing times were 10-13 weeks for routine passport services and seven to nine weeks for expedited service. The State Department also noted improved processing times in May 2023, although it didn’t give a precise processing time. 

The State Department notes that some passports may take longer to process due to individual circumstances.  

Several factors have contributed to the improved processing times, including the State Department opening a new satellite office and employees working overtime to handle processing requests. The State Department adds that over 24 million passports have been issued since October 2022.