The U.S. Department of State is expecting a sharp increase in passport renewals this year. That’s because nearly 10 years ago, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) went into effect and millions of people got passports that hadn’t before. Those passports are close to expiring. The WHTI requires passports for all travelers, including U.S. citizens, returning to the U.S. by air from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
A decade ago the passport application process took 10 weeks because of that influx instead of the usual six weeks. The delay is happening already and it takes six weeks for a passport renewal, two weeks longer than the process took last year.
Many countries also require your passport be valid 3-6 months past the date of entry or exit.
I’d think twice about that 52-page book, because it’s a lot bulkier and less convenient to carry. I’m in Year 8 of a 28-pager, average 2-3 overseas trips a year, and still have 10 blank pages. Of course, if you’re a frequent business traveler, or live near a border, the math might be different.
That’s the point of the fuss…it wasn’t bad then, it’s getting worse now, and soon will hit a peak—replicating the situation 10 years ago when lots of border-dwelling folks got their first passports.
What would really have made sense would have been for them to start last year sending out letters, say in October, to x number of people saying “send in your renewal by 10/31, even though your passport expires in June. We’ll take $10 off your fee.” And then the same in November, etc.
Not to everyone, but to enough randomly selected to even out the demand. I’ll bet the revenue loss would have been less than the looming cost of overtime and temporary help when the screaming starts just before summer vacation!
My wife got her passport back in 3 weeks. So as of February, there was no problem with US Passport turnaround time.
One tip in renewing your passport. Choose the 52 page book option at no addition cost, instead of the 28 page book, because this year the Department of State no longer adds visa pages into existing U.S. passports.
I’ve filled up passport books before and now without the option of getting more pages available, that’s a big expense. I’m getting the 52 page book option this time and I’ll report back after a few trips if it’s a problem
To add my update to Dr Fumblinger’s , I applied for a replacement passport in March and got mine in less than 3 weeks. Although mine was issued because I lost my passport last summer and I needed to trade in my temporary passport for a regular one. There’s a different address that I sent mine to than the passports that expire, so not sure if it translates. Anyway if yours is going to expire, apply for a replacement early