How long until I get my passport?
Pick your service tier and application date to see an estimated arrival window — and whether it'll land before your trip.
Shortens the high end of the range by shipping your passport back faster. Not available with Agency/courier.
We'll check whether the estimated window lands before you leave.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a routine passport actually take right now?
As of the State Department's current published guidance, routine passport applications take about 4-6 weeks to process, plus up to two weeks of mailing time on each end — so budget 6 to 10 weeks total from the day you submit your application to the day it lands in your mailbox. Adding the delivery upgrade for faster return shipping trims that to roughly 5 to 8 weeks.
Is expedited processing worth the extra $60?
Expedited service cuts the processing window to 2-3 weeks, which brings your total timeline down to about 4 to 7 weeks (3 to 5 with the delivery upgrade) instead of 6 to 10. If your trip is more than two months out, routine is usually fine and saves the $60; if it's inside that window, expedited buys real margin.
What does the 'agency/courier' option require?
Agency/courier service is the fastest official option — about 3 business days once a regional passport agency has your application — but it's gated: you can only book an appointment if you're traveling internationally within 14 days (or need a foreign visa within 4 weeks), and you must bring proof of that travel, like a flight itinerary, to your appointment.
Why does applying in spring take longer?
Passport demand spikes every year from January through June as people renew ahead of summer travel, and the State Department's own processing times tend to run toward the slower end of the published range during that stretch. Applying in the fall or winter, outside that peak window, generally moves faster.
Where do these processing time estimates come from?
These ranges are based on the U.S. Department of State's publicly posted routine, expedited, and agency/courier processing times at travel.state.gov, which the department updates periodically. Because the department can revise them without much notice, treat this tool's estimate as a planning range, not a guarantee — check travel.state.gov directly before booking non-refundable travel.